Page 25 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
"These pastries should be consumed with tea." She walked to the kitchen, which was part of the original house before it was converted to her design center. "I assume you came with a bribe because you need my advice?"
"I won't deny it. You are the best advice giver when it comes to matters of the heart."
Ruvon knew that Ingrid would love the compliment.
"I don't know about that." She filled a kettle with water from the filter and put it on the stove.
As he waited for her to prepare the tea, he looked around the studio. Bolts of fabric leaned against walls, wood samples hung from hooks, and catalogs as thick as phone books filled several low bookcases.
"So, what is it about?" She started clearing a space at her consultation table by sweeping aside paint chips and fabric samples.
"Arezoo," he said. "It's always about her."
"Naturally." She ducked into the kitchen and a few minutes later returned to the showroom with two big cups of tea. "Tell Aunt Ingrid all about it." She put the mugs on the table.
Ingrid had become an unexpected confidant. She was easy to talk to and knew a lot about what women wanted.
"I'm having dinner at Arezoo's Friday evening, and I intend to ask her mother for her blessing."
"And you're terrified." Ingrid selected a piece of baklava with the concentration of someone defusing a bomb, holding it with the tips of her long fingernails before taking a tiny bite.
"Soraya is intimidating." He winced. "She always gives me a haughty look that implies she knows I'm up to no good, but she tolerates me because Arezoo likes me."
Ingrid laughed. "And I thought she only gave me that look. She's judgmental. That's for sure."
"Why would she give you the look?" He lifted the teacup. "It's not like you are dating one of her daughters."
"I don't know. Maybe she doesn't approve of how I dress, or my makeup, or whatever doesn't sit well with her. Some people find fault with everyone."
He shook his head. "I don't think she's that bad. Maybe she's just looking at you and wondering how you pull off such a polished look. Not many women have your talent."
"Oh, Ruvon." She leaned over and patted his arm. "That was such a sweet thing to say. Especially since I know it was what you actually thought and not something you came up with to flatter me."
"It's true. You are always so elegant."
"Well, thank you." She patted her light blonde hair that was arranged in some kind of updo. "But the same is probably true for you. She's not looking at you and finding you lacking in any way. She is just trying to determine if you are the right man for her daughter."
"That's the problem." He took a rose cookie from the box. "What if she thinks that I'm not the right man for Arezoo?"
"You need to stop doubting yourself. Project confidence even if you have to fake it."
"Easier said than done."
"You can do it." She took a delicate bite, somehow managing not to scatter crumbs despite the baklava's flaky layers. "Soraya isn't your enemy. She's a mother who wants her daughter to be happy. Your job is to convince her that you're the man who can do that."
"How?" He gestured at himself. "I'm not smooth or charming. I don't know how to say the right things."
Ingrid chuckled. "Could have fooled me. A few moments ago, you gave me one of the nicest compliments anyone has ever given me."
"That's because I wasn't trying to compliment you. I just said what I believed."
"And that's precisely what you need to do with Soraya. But since I don't know her very well, I might be wrong." Ingrid took a sip of tea. "You should talk to Kyra, Soraya's sister. She knows the family dynamics." Ingrid pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. "I can give you her number or call her for you." Her finger hovered over the call button.
"Wait. I'm not prepared?—"
She sighed. "Yes, you are. You came to me for advice with a box of pastries as a bribe. You can do the same with Kyra. I'll text her and ask if she has time to meet with you. I bet she'll know what this is about."
Ingrid was probably right.
