***

  It was less than an hour after I hung up with Katherine when my phone started vibrating against the glass coffee table. She had called the Sheikh and spoken with him directly about accepting the offer. She said he was delighted that I’d accepted, and would be sending a car the following morning to pick me up.

  “So soon?” I asked Katherine, surprised.

  “Apparently,” replied Katherine. “This guy has money to burn, I’m sure rushing this kind of thing is no big deal to him. Can you be ready in time?”

  “Of course, look who you’re talking to; I’ve gotten ready for the Oscars in less than three hours.”

  “Well get on it, girl. He’s coming for you. You let me know if you need anything, okay? If something goes wrong, or if you want to come back, just call me.”

  “Katherine, I’m not a child,” I groaned. “I’ll be fine. He’s not going to kidnap me.”

  “I just worry about you, sugar plum; you know you’re my favorite.”

  “Yeah, I bet you say that to all the girls,” I joked. “Thanks, I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”

  I hung up with my agent and stared out at the LA lights glimmering under the fog in the distance. I wondered how the lights of Al-Dali would compare.