Page 75 of Bred By the Sheikh

Dinner was served on a smaller terrace on the west side of the house.

Chrissy wore a loose pale blue dress that fell below her knees. Her hair was still slightly damp, curling more around her face than it had that morning.

We ate grilled lamb, vegetables, bread, and fruit.

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” I asked.

“I think so. Amanda gets in tomorrow, and then we present.”

She took another bite and shook her head.

“Goblin’s going to ruin something expensive.”

“She already attacked a cushion.”

“That tassel had it coming.”

“I’m sure.”

“She looked much better.”

“She did.”

She smiled down at her plate.

“Thank you.”

I knew what she meant.

“You don’t have to thank me again.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you?”

“Because I’m glad you helped her.”

I met her gaze.

“You asked me to.”

“You would’ve helped her anyway.”

I wasn’t certain that was true.

Before Chrissy, a stray cat on hotel property would have been handled appropriately without ever reaching my attention.

Now I knew what Goblin looked like after being fed, what Chrissy sounded like when Goblin attacked her hair, and the cat’s name.

“I helped her because you cared,” I said.

Her fork paused.

Chrissy lowered her gaze.

After dinner, staff cleared the table and withdrew.

The desert had gone dark beyond the low walls.