“Too bad we’ll miss it. We could have picked up some tips for the gala laser show,” I said with a chuckle as we continued down the path toward the palace.
Pausing at the black entry doors, we admired the ornate gold handles before looking upward.
“These doors have got to be sixty feet high!” Dyson said, his mouth agape. “Get some pics.”
He spread his arms wide like an eagle as I snapped the photos.
Stepping inside, I took in the blend of culture, history, and luxury. Our gazes drifted slowly across the colorful mosaics, ornate chandeliers, and stained-glass windows.
Still snapping photos, we reached the center of a vast dome, and my mouth fell open as we stared up at the enormous crystal chandelier suspended above us.
“Apparently,” Dyson began, “they lined the dome with twenty-three-karat gold. And the chandelier’s made fromthree hundred and fiftythousandpieces of crystal and weighs twelve tons.”
Ivy would love this place—
“My mother would literally faint if she saw this.” Dyson chuckled. “You know how obsessed she is with chandeliers.”
I stared up at the elegant crystals a moment longer before following Dyson deeper into the palace.
***
The restaurant Dyson chose for lunch had a lively atmosphere.
The room was mostly filled with Emiratis wearing traditional white robes and head coverings, while a handful of tourists sat scattered among them.
The race dominated every conversation, and a few people asked us if we were going. We lingered there for a couple of hours, working our way through countless dishes of food I’d never tried before. Every plate was even more delicious than the last.
As I finished up the last sweet bite of baklava, a wave of jet lag hit me. “Let’s head back and chill before the race tomorrow.” I covered my mouth as a yawn escaped.
“Good idea.” Dyson rubbed his eyes. “I want to check out the hotel pool anyway.”
As I settled the bill, my eyes drifted to a nearby table where a group of tourists laughed together. One of the women smiled at me as our eyes gazes caught briefly. She resembled Ivy in height, complexion, and hair, my heart lurched.
After we got back, we changed into our swimsuits and headed for the rooftop, where the impossibly long infinity pool sat overlooking the racetrack below. Grabbing a pair of floating loungers, we slid into the water.
I closed my eyes as the gentle movement lulled me into a sleepy haze.
“Sorry it’s been such a shitty trip so far, Karson,” Dyson mumbled from his lounger.
I smirked and glanced over at him. One arm rested lazily behind his head, his eyes still shut.
Scooping up a handful of water, I splashed him. With a shriek, he lurched sideways off the lounger and crashed into the pool. I burst out laughing when his head reappeared above the surface with a crooked grin.
“Oh, man, youalwaysdo that!” he said darkly.
“And it’s just as good, everysingle time.”
“You better watch your back.” His eyes narrowed, though his smile widened. “I’ll get my revenge, right when you least expect it.”
Hauling himself back onto the float, he yawned as his phone pinged from inside the waterproof pouch tucked into the lounger’s side pocket.
“Read it, will you?” he said, tossing it toward me. “I’m trying to relax.”
Shaking my head, I caught the pouch and pulled out the phone. “Hell yeah, baby,” I said, throwing a fist in the air.
“What’s up?” he asked without opening his eyes. “Read it out.”
“‘Hey, guys, hope you’re enjoying the car. Tomorrow night’s afterparty is gonna be a cracker. Can’t wait to see you there.’”
