Page 68 of Bred By the Sheikh

“The expensive part isn’t always what makes the experience feel expensive.”

“What does?”

Chrissy turned toward the shaded terrace.

“Somebody paying attention.”

We had lunch beneath the broad awning on the shaded terrace.

Overhead fans kept the air moving. Lunch was simple by the standards of my household: grilled fish, rice, vegetables, flatbread, yogurt, fruit.

Chrissy surveyed the table.

“I’m beginning to distrust the word simple around you.”

“This is simple.”

“There are six serving dishes.”

“There were more at breakfast.”

“That doesn’t help your case.”

I smiled.

She filled her plate, then opened her notebook beside it.

“Should we work first?”

“We eat first.”

She raised her head.

“That sounded like an order.”

“It was.”

“I’m going to ignore the tone and agree with the content.”

“That’s very generous.”

She ate several bites before touching the notebook.

I did the same.

Finally, she tapped her pen against the page.

“I think we’ve been framing this wrong.”

“You mean the campaign?”

“Not entirely wrong. Just too much from the hotel’s side.”

I waited.

“Every draft starts with what Al-Hadid provides—the suite, the car, the dinner, the service.”

“That’s what we sell.”