Page 162 of To Tango, with Desire

“It was. I think she was glad to be away from the kids. And Mom’s disapproval.”

“You said we weren’t talking about that tonight.”

I shrugged. “I know.” But it still hurt. Even though it had been two years since the pregnancy loss, my mom had decided not to forgive me. I’d learned to live with it, to live my life without worrying about her disdain. But when it came down to it, she was still my mom and I would have liked her to have been there at the show.

“It’s a shame that Kade didn’t make it.”

Zane rolled his eyes. “He sent more than enough flowers to apologize. Fucker.”

I grinned. “Enough to rival yours.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Kade’s first few years of recovery had been tough, but he was rebuilding his life and had finally found his purpose. Which was currently working for one of Zane’s charities on the far reaches of the globe to build schools for children.

Zane had traveled there earlier this year, to a remote village in the Middle East, getting stuck in the work of helping the locals. After everything that had happened with Kade, Zane had taken more of an interest in increasing his humanitarian endeavors. It gave him a sense of purpose, to feel like he was doing something with his wealth that would make a difference.

The fact that Kade had shown an interest in it had been surprising at first. But after his community service, he’d been a changed man. He’d accompanied Zane on his trip and hadn’t returned, living for the past six months with the villagers, making inroads in the development of amenities. He was doing something he was proud of. And for that, he had our full support.

“Speaking of gifts, I have something for you.”

“Oh, so you mean this trip to Paris on your private jet wasn’t enough?”

“Not nearly.”

Zane reached out to pluck a plump strawberry from the table beside us. Slowly, he fed it to me, not stopping until I reached the stem. He’d ordered an array of the finest desserts, all of my favorites currently on display for me to savor in the comfort of our hotel. It wasn’t the lavish nature of his gifts that melted my heart, but the thought that he put into them. He knew me better than I sometimes expected. And being married to him had surpassed my every expectation.

“Listen, I want you to know that even if the critics come back with scathing condemnation, I think you’re a big hit. Your work is stunning, your ideas are fresh and original, and I was blown away by your collection today.”

I tugged him even closer, loving the fact that I could see the admiration in his eyes.

Loving him.

“I appreciate it. And I want to thank—”

“Nope.”

“Zane—”

“This was all you. I might have offered my direction here and there, but Amira, you’ve built this on your own. It’s your hard work, your money that’s gone into this. And you deserve every good thing that’s coming your way, habibti.”

I tilted my face up, accepting his kiss.

“And to show you just how damn much I appreciate you, how proud I am of you, I want to give you this.”

Zane picked up a square box hidden among the bouquet of flowers. He opened the lid, blinding me with the most exquisite necklace I’d ever seen.

“Oh my god.”

“Do you like it?”

“I’d have no taste if I didn’t. It’s stunning.”

“You were made for gold, Amira.”

I shivered. He’d first said that to me years ago and had spent an obscene amount of money since then proving it to me.

Zane picked up the delicate oval necklace, the yellow sapphires glinting in the soft light. I leaned forward as he fastened the clasp, taking a second to catch my breath.