The defensiveness that arose whenever people spoke of their past or their ancestors activated her defenses. “I’m from Manhattan,” she said firmly.

“Hmph,” said the Eritrean woman. “I guess your people just sprang from the soil here, then?”

“Ah, don’t start now, Judy,” Dr. Okri said, then clasped Ledi by the arm. “This young woman is training to be an epidemiologist, an asset to the community no matter where she is from. We have to go talk boring science stuff now, but please enjoy the food and the music. I’m very excited about tonight’s program.”

Dr. Okri led her to a corner away from the band. “So what’s this about a practicum falling through?”

“Well, I was supposed to be working at the Disease Task Force.”

“Which no longer exists thanks to people who’ve never cracked a science book in their lives,” Dr. Okri said. “I wish I could say this was the last such closure we’d hear of.” She sighed. “Well, you’re welcome to come intern with me. It’s not very exciting, but maybe we’ll get another bird flu epidemic since no one is currently tracking such things to prevent it.”

“Thank you so much! That would be great. The internship, not the epidemic.” Ledi’s body slackened with relief. Her career wasn’t ruined. Things hadn’t worked out as planned, but Portia had come through for her and now she could finally relax and focus on her exams. She wondered if she’d get to share the good news with Jamal—maybe he’d help her celebrate?

“Or perhaps we’ll have to figure out a mystery disease, like they’re dealing with in Thesolo?”

Ledi’s head snapped up. “What?”

The woman was in full science-gossip mode, completely unaware of the shock she’d given Ledi with the mention of Thesolo. “It’s not Ebola, or malaria. The water sources are clean, and there’s no discernible contagion pattern. It’s been on everyone’s tongue tonight, especially given our guest of honor, Prince Thabiso.”

Led wasn’t sure if the room tilted or if it was her.

Prince Thabiso. The man who had been the subject of her emails for weeks was now in New York City, at the same event as her?

Impossible. And yet Dr. Okri had no reason to lie, unless she was in on it, too? A ridiculous thought, but if Prince Thabiso was really there, couldn’t anything be going on?

“Are you okay, Naledi?” Dr. Okri was staring into her eyes and Ledi knew she was checking to see if her pupils were dilated.

“I’m fine,” she said. “I think that maybe all the stress of the field study lifting so suddenly made me a bit dizzy.”

Dr. Okri nodded. “I understand. Grad school is stressful enough without setbacks like this. Go find Portia, eat some of the wonderful food, and relax. Everything is going to be okay now.”

Ledi took a deep breath. Dr. Okri was right. Her academic career was moving back on track. She had at least one more night of incredible sex with Jamal to look forward to. The Prince Thabiso business was nothing to be worried about; in fact, she’d make it a point to find him later that night and let him know what scammers were doing in his name. It would be strange talking to a prince, but she was sure he was no different than any other guy.

Chapter 20

Pardon me, Highness, but there is a man from Botswana who is rather insistent that you meet his daughter,” Likotsi said in a low voice. “I told him you were occupied but I’m not certain he won’t creep under the table during dinner and pop up from beside your seat.”

Thabiso closed his eyes against the annoyance. The music provided by the live band was delightful, the food exquisite, but it was so much drone in his ear and ash on his tongue because Naledi wasn’t there with him.

He still had to reveal his true self to her, although that wasn’t entirely right. He’d never felt more like himself than in the time he’d spent with Naledi. The adulation and coy glances from women, the hearty handshakes and admiration from the men, the way everyone treated him like royalty—it grated on him. He wished he were back at the building uptown, on an uncomfortable futon or in a tiny kitchen or on a plastic-wrapped couch, as long as Ledi was there with him.

“You can tell him I’m not available to meet eligible young women right now,” he said, pressing back against the wall of the alcove he was tucked into. He’d have to socialize at some point, but no one had recognized him just yet. “My parents finding me a bride has taken care of that annoyance at the very least.”

“Yes, sire.”

As Likotsi strode away, Thabiso noticed a young woman hovering nearby. He almost dismissed her, but then he saw the tray in her hand. She was a server, like he’d been for those fateful few hours when he worked with Naledi.

“Um, would you like more sparkling water, Prince, sir?”

“Yes,” he said, holding out his empty glass, then added, “Thank you.”

Her hand shook as she poured his water, and a bit splashed onto his shoe. “Oh, I’m sorry! I usually never spill.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I know this job is difficult. It’s not as if you set me on fire or anything. Then we would have a problem.” He smiled, hoping that set her at ease, and was pleased when she returned it.

“Thank you, sir. And congratulations.”