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taking place at the university. Someone knew someone who knows the chair of the art department, and he agreed to allow the event to take place there.”
    “Sounds like fun, and I don’t mind going, but what about you, Geneva ? Will you be all right here alone? In your condition?”
    “I have to agree with her, my dear,” Thomas piped up. She could well understand the concern etched in Thomas’s face.
    “Poppycock! I’ll be just fine, and Samirah, I’m sure you’ll find something suitable at the local mall. Thomas, you will go and have a good time. I won’t hear another word about it.”
    “My dear—”
    Geneva shook her head stubbornly. “Go, have a good time, and bring back something we can hang on the wall.”
    “Well…if you think you’ll be all right…” He looked doubtful.
    “If you’re sure,” Samirah began, “I’m fine with it. I’ll keep the floozies away from him.”
    “It’s settled,” Geneva said in a resolute voice.
    After dinner, Thomas began the arduous task of helping his wife up the stairs to their bedroom since she refused to set up a bed downstairs. Samirah knew they wouldn’t be back down for the rest of the evening, but if they needed her, they could call the private line in her suite. She washed the dishes and straightened up the living room before going to bed.
    Her mind strayed to Miguel next door. She’d managed to keep thoughts of him at bay during most of the night, but now those thoughts encroached, and with them the reminder of his touch and the way his long fingers had stroked along the inside of her arm.
    Lucky for her she didn’t have any reason to interact with him again. If Geneva was correct about him keeping mostly to himself, it would be easy to steer clear of him. She probably didn’t even have to concern herself with cooking a meal for him. All she had to worry about right now was finding a dress for the fundraiser.
    Miguel Delgado was the least of her worries.

Chapter Five

    On Wednesday, Samirah ran some personal errands in town before catching the bus to the mall late in the afternoon. She hated shopping, though, and finding a dress she liked might be difficult. She tended to be picky, preferring to wear clothing she felt expressed her individuality and personality.
    Dressed comfortably in a pair of tennis shoes, shorts, and a T-shirt with a rhinestone design on the front, she visited several stores before wandering into a boutique. She explained the type of outfit she needed and the occasion. The salesperson, who turned out to be the owner, showed her several black dresses, but Samirah didn’t like any of them.
    “I’m not going to a funeral,” she said to the woman in Spanish. “Do you have anything with brighter colors? Maybe red or blue, or even green?”
    The woman pursed her lips and looked Samirah up and down. “I have a few you might like.”
    She took her over to a rack and one by one withdrew dresses in different styles, holding up each one to get Samirah’s approval. Before long, they’d chosen three and Samirah went into the small dressing room to try on the first one. A few minutes later, she emerged and stood holding up the bodice of the too-large strapless dress. It would have to be altered, but she liked the way the fabric felt against her skin and the ankle-length hem made her feel elegant.
    “What do you think?”
    “Absolutely beautiful,” a male voice said. She whirled around to see Miguel against the wall. The sight of him made her heart slam against her chest so sharply she didn’t doubt the next day her ribs would be bruised. He looked like he was holding up the wall with one shoulder, in a pair of faded jeans covering his long legs, casually crossed at the ankles. “It looks too big for you, though.”
    “Are you following me now ?” Samirah asked.
    With an indolent smile, he straightened and came toward her. His clear blue eyes held a bit of mischief, and she realized she would be in trouble before he opened his