Page 53

“That’s kind of sweet, actually.”
“I thought so. He’s going to join us in the private box, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course it is. I won’t call him back about the cooking, then. We can just discuss it there and make our arrangements.”
“I wish you’d done it before the race, to be honest,” Kareem said with a laugh. “If you had, we could have brought the food up to the box and eaten it while we watched.”
“I’m not catering for you,” Keira said, swatting him gently on the arm. “Your father has a kitchen staff if that’s what you want. Not to mention the fact that we have dozens of food vendors available who will help you get whatever you need. You don’t need me to cook for you at the race!”
“It isn’t my fault your food is the best I’ve ever had.” Kareem affected a wounded expression. “I know you’re busy with management, but really, knowing your food is out there, how can I be expected to fully enjoy anything else?”
“Maybe I missed my calling,” Keira said. “Maybe I should have been a chef instead of a motorsports tournament coordinator.”
“It’s never too late to pursue a new dream,” Kareem teased her.
Keira laughed. “Actually, in my case, I think it might be.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not going to have much time on my hands after this,” Keira said. “I’m going to be pretty busy with my next project — I might even need to take a step back from the racing world for a while.”
“Your next project? You didn’t mention any next project to me,” Kareem said, surprised. “I mean, don’t get me wrong — you have my full support, and you always will. But I didn’t know there was something else you were intending to get involved with.”
“I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you,” Keira explained. “I’ve only known myself for a few days, and I wanted to let you know when it felt like a perfect time — but now I don’t think I can wait any longer to talk to you about it.”
“Talk to me about what?” Kareem asked her. “Whatever this is, I want to support you. You know I always try to support you. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Well…” Keira seemed unable to keep the smile off her face. “The thing is… I’m pregnant, Kareem.”
Her words stopped Kareem’s heart for a moment.
The two of them had talked in the abstract about the idea of starting a family. They had both agreed that it was something they wanted to do someday. They had also agreed that there was no rush — that they’d like to focus on the upcoming Qalmar Cup and revisit the conversation when it was over. But secretly, deep inside himself, Kareem hadn’t been able to let go of the thought of a child.
He would never have imagined that it was something he wanted. Hehadn’twanted it — not until he had found himself with Keira. But now that they were together, he wanted to do everything with her. He wanted every experience life had to offer, including parenthood.
He had been sad about the fact that they were delaying the baby conversation, though he hadn’t admitted it, not wanting to put pressure on the situation. And now it was coming up again — and in the best possible way.
“You’re pregnant?” he repeated, dazed, needing confirmation that it was really true.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” Keira said. “I wanted to tell you the moment I found out. But I also wanted it to be special when I did tell you.”
He nodded, taking that in.
“Are you happy?” she asked tentatively.
“Are you kidding?” He stared at her. “Do you really have to ask? Keira, this is the best news of my life. I’ve never been happier about anything.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately, running his hands up and down her back. Her body bowed against his and she hummed gratefully as the kiss deepened.
After a moment, he pulled away. “Does anyone else know?”
“Of course not. I couldn’t tell anyone before I told you,” she assured him. “I’ve wanted to. I’ve been dying to tell my family, and Allie, of course. But I had to tell you first.”
“My family is going to be over the moon,” Kareem said. “My parents have been dying for me to have a baby since before I met you.”
“Even though you’re not in line for the throne?”
“You never can tell. My brother’s children might abdicate.” Kareem laughed to show that he wasn’t serious. “No, I think they just want to make sure the royal family is big and diverse. They want us to have the power to make connections with royal families in other nations to strengthen Qalmar’s political situation. But also… my parents really love their grandchildren. They just want a big family, and they’re going to be excited by a new addition.” He beamed, imagining their response. “I can’t wait to let them know.”
“We can tell them as soon as you want,” Keira said. “I’m happy to go ahead and share the news.”
“Let’s keep it between the two of us for one more night,” Kareem said. “I know you’re ready to tell them, but we’ll never have this moment again — knowing that we’re going to have our firstchild.” The joy that welled up within him was so massive that he felt as if he had swallowed a sun. It threatened to burst forth from his pores, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to contain it for long. “I want this to be just ours. Just for a little while.”
Keira’s eyes flooded with tears. “Sounds good to me,” she whispered.
He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead, sweetly and tenderly, in awe of all the wonderful things she had brought into his life.
And then he kissed her again, this time, meeting her lips with his, relishing in the fact that the two of them belonged to one another and that nothing would ever drive them apart again.
The End