Page 114 of Deeper

Knocking on my window pulled me from my thoughts, finding Paul already out of his BMW and waiting for me.

I was still feeling him out, but I was tempted to form an alliance with him for backup.

I climbed out of the car as Paul stood back to give me space.

He appraised my simple T-shirt and shorts combo before nodding in approval. It wasn’t a surprise to catch him in his usual business attire. At least he made it look good.

“Ready for this?” he quipped, flashing me a kind smile.

Was I? I hung back against my car, blowing out a breath. “I’m not sure what’s going to be harder, dinner now, or dinner Saturday.”

Paul scratched at his neck, cringing at my angst. “Hard to say. People are going to be on their best behavior Saturday. Here and now, the she-devil has nothing to lose.”

It didn’t sound like Paul was that big of a fan either. Nice.

“But what the hell, let’s get this over with. I’m starving.” Paul took the lead and waited for me so that we could walk side by side to the front door. He even went forth to ring the bell for me.

The front door was pulled open and my small joy washed away at the sight of Nazanin standing beside Zander. The lack of enthusiasm she expelled into the air caused dread to settle into the pit of my stomach. As she set eyes on Paul and me, a scowl marred her pretty face.

“Oh, company,” she said.

“It’s only right, tonight’s a family dinner,” Zander said.

Nazanin’s icy stare went from Paul to me. “So, I take it Paul and Bianka won’t be staying long?”

Zander rolled his eyes. “Paulisfamily, and Bi is someone important to me, so they’re more than welcome.”

Zander let us into the house and I made sure to hang back, not wanting to get too close. Nazanin’s rudeness was going to be yet another test of my anger management.

Putting on a peppy persona, Paul opened his arms out in greeting towards Zander’s unwelcoming sister. “Nazzi, good to see ya!”

Nazanin wrinkled her nose. “I told you about calling me that, it sounds like—”

“Oh, does it?” Paul feigned cluelessness with a forced laugh. “Can’t call it.”

“Paul.” Zander’s one utterance of his name was a warning, as well as the hard look in his eyes. “Let’s take it to the kitchen. Dinner’s just been finished.”

With Zander and Nazanin in front of us, Paul hung back and held his fist out for me to pound.

The corners of my lips curled up as I bumped my fist against his. At least someone was on my side.

The smell of spices and chicken hung in the air and I was ready to eat despite feeling uneasy. Music was playing and upon hearing the male singer’s voice, I wasn’t able to recognize what language he was singing in. Rajaa was in the room, jubilant and glowing with another member of his family around. Nazanin was near him and even she was smiling.

I stood back in the entrance of the room, suddenly feeling like Iwasintruding on their family dinner. Zander lived in the US and Rajaa and Nazanin lived in the UK. They didn’t see him often in person and maybe this should’ve just been for them.

But then Paul said something that made Zander laugh. Seeing his eyes crinkle and his white teeth flashing let me know that Paulwasfamily too. Outside of their professional and business relationship, Paul was like an older brother to Zander, looking out for him and holding him accountable for his actions.

And then there was me.

In the midst of his laughing, Zander looked over and found me. Even more, he reached out for me to join them.

“I know you wanted to take me out, but this was important to me,” he said to me as he stood off to the side.

Zander was radiantly happy before me. Who I was to step on that? “It feels good to see you like this. Besides, you’ve been promising me this chicken for a while now and it’s about time you delivered.”

Zander stared into my eyes and then he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to my lips, making my heart ache. “I…I’m happy you’re here.” He glanced back at his family, taking note of Nazanin suppressing a smile at some expressive story Paul was telling. He returned to me. “Where are we going out to eat?”

Feeling shy, I confessed, “Olive Garden. It’s my favorite. My mom and I used to go there for a girls’ day.”

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