Rowan scowls at me shoving my food around my plate like a child. Unlike me, he devours it all and asks for seconds, which only makes my mom happier.
My dad claps Rowan on the shoulder before giving him a hug. I’d laugh if I wasn’t already on edge, seeing as Rowan remains stiff as a board during the entire exchange.
Rowan unlocks his car and opens my door for me. I freeze, unable to get inside before I clear the air.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” I blurt out.
His hand holding on to the door tightens. “Why would you be sorry?”
“Because you were already nervous about talking and then that conversation happened.”
His jaw clenches. “It’s not your fault I’m an asshole, Zahra.”
I wince. “Don’t talk about yourself that way.”
“I thought you valued the truth.”
I gape at him.
“It’s the reality of the situation. I make business decisions that affect people’s lives for better or for worse. It is what it is.” He looks up at the dark, starless sky.
“But you could change. No one is forcing you to choose one side over the other.”
He lets out a bitter laugh. “Running a business is hard.”
“So is being human.”
He sighs and grabs my hand again, interlocking our fingers once more. “I don’t know the first thing about being human.”
“That’s okay. I’ll teach you everything I know.” I grin as I drop into the passenger seat.
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” he mumbles under his breath.
Challenge accepted.
36
Zahra
The knocker on our apartment door thumps three times.
“He’s here!” Ani doesn’t bother to pause our TV show as she grabs my purse and throws it into my arms.
“Who?”
“Rowan!”
My heart picks up its pace, going from a steady rhythm to erratic. “Oh, I’m sorry. You know this how?”
“He wanted to surprise you for your date.” Ani steps into my bedroom.
Date?! I’m dressed in a pair of old paint-splattered Levi’s and a sweater of the Chicago Bulls from the nineties. My fashion choice is barely suited for the local grocery store, let alone a date.
“What do you mean by date?” I call out.
“The kind where Rowan whisks you away to show you his surprise.” Ani’s yell is muffled by the distance.
Well…wow, okay. I’m all for surprises now.
“Hurry up. You’re so slow.” Ani steps out of my room with the largest suitcase I own.
“Am I moving somewhere?”
She giggles. “No, silly. Rowan asked me to pack you a couple of outfits.”
“Outfits? For what?”
She beams. “I’m under contract to not say anything else.”
“How did you even get into my apartment and pack a suitcase?”
“Claire.” Her grin is infectious.
“How far does this surprise go?” I blow a lock of hair out of my face as I grab onto the handle of my suitcase.
Ani laughs. “It’s worth it.”