Page 45 of Jade: Chance Are

“It's good so far, it's different being a working adult in Rhanaz.” We talk more about work and college. I find myself laughing with him. When we finally looked at the time, he gestured for us to head out.

“I’ll be leaving tomorrow back to Boston. I’m glad we had this talk.”

“Me too.” We paid the check and headed out together. Once outside the restaurant, he takes my hand and I turn to him.

“Walk with me one last time.” His tone is soft, and his eyes are pleading. I nod and we head towards the beach like we used to, once we get closer to the beach, we both take our shoes off and head towards the water.

We remain quiet, just letting the wind blow some of the tension between us. For a brief second, I know we both thought about what might have been had Naseer not come between.

We finally come to a stop, he turns to me and runs his hand gently down my cheek. “One kiss like that night, Mariam.”

“James …”

“Please, one memory to last me a lifetime. I concede that I’ve lost to him.” I nod. He leans in and takes my lip. I opened up to him. Telling myself I should give him this moment. I kissed him, it was good, I realized I was not swooning like I was with Naseer.

He breaks from the kiss and pulls me into a hug. “You’ll always be the one that got away.” I smile inward.

We headed back in silence to our cars. My driver is waiting when I get to my car, I wave goodbye to James. Knowing we are both at peace.

I returned home and got some work done before calling my children. I tried to call Knox but got no answer. I need to shop for a dress tomorrow. The LaBelle gala night is coming up this week and I can’t look shabby. I already booked time with Yasemin which is good, but I still need a dress for the night.

The next morning, Lucy is waiting by the elevator when I get off, she’s all cheery which isn’t unusual but waiting for me at the elevator has me a bit concerned.

“Mariam, there’s a surprise waiting for you in your office.” She grins. It can’t be bad if she’s grinning. I try not to analyze what the surprise could be. She hurries me along to my office.

When I entered my office. I’m shocked to see Knox seated waiting for me.

“Oh my gosh,” I exclaimed racing to hug him. He holds me tight. When we pull from the hug. I cup his face to confirm he’s real and I’m not imagining things. He laughs.

“I’ll leave you two,” Lucy says behind us.

“I can’t believe you are here. Now I know why you didn’t answer my call last night. When did you get here,” I ask happily as my heart races at the implication of him here.

“Arrived this morning, went to my hotel to change, and came straight here.”

“That’s wonderful, how long are you staying?”

“Just a few days, I wanted to see you,” he says kissing my hand. We sat and talked for a while before Knox said he would head to the hotel to rest and would see me later in the evening.

As I walked him out, we ran into Ken. Who gives me a questionable look when he sees Knox's hands wrapped around my waist?

“Good morning, Mariam,” Ken says but I detect a tone.

“Good morning, Ken, and this is my fiancé, Knox,” I state introducing him. “Knox, Ken is one of the partners of LaBelle Fleur,” I informed Knox.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Knox says shaking hands with Ken.

“Nice to meet Mariam’s famous fiancé,” he says dryly with a feigned smile.

“Knox surprised me this morning and he’s heading out to rest,” I state excusing us from Ken. He waves us off like he understands but I see a warning in his eyes.

Once Knox leaves, I head back to my office to my surprise Ken is waiting for me.

“How may I help you, Ken?”

“I should be asking you that question, hope Knox is ready for what awaits him.”

“He’ll be fine,” I state, as he gives me a sad chuckle.