Jana shook her head. “My father wasn’t like that, either.” Of course, back when Dad was alive, no one would have thought that Jana’s virtue was at risk.
“A lot of it is rooted in culture,” Dr. Lopez mused. “Machismo in the Spanish-speaking world holds back progress in many ways.”
“And in Indian culture,” Farzana Aunty added. She smiled at Jana. “Hopefully your daughter isn’t held to outdated gender expectations like that as she gets older.” She looked toward Imani, who was sitting at a table with Jana’s mother. “It’s so lovely to see how much she is doted on by your friends and family. Rohan is smitten with her.”
“She has amazing uncles and aunties.”
Farzana Aunty smiled. “I’m happy that she has so many role models. Does her father live near you?”
Jana nodded. She really needed to change the subject before they asked any more personal questions. Thankfully they were at the front of the line then, so they were able to load up their plates with mishkaki and pili pili chicken. As the three of them walked back to the dining tables, Jana saw that Anil had moved—he was now at Mom and Imani’s table, helping Mom encourage Imani to eat. Damn it. They would pass the table on their way back, and Jana had no doubt that these two would take the opportunity to chat with Imani and her father.
“Oh my goodness!” Jana said, pointing out into the distance. “I think I just saw an elephant between the trees there!” She didn’t see an elephant, but hopefully they would follow anyway.
“Right there,” Jana said, stepping farther into the tall grasses edging the clearing. She put her hand over her eyes to block the sun and pointed to the little grove of acacia trees in the distance. Dr. Lopez and Farzana Aunty followed her and looked where she was pointing. After a few seconds of searching, she shrugged. “It was probably a shadow. Oh well.”
Farzana Aunty chuckled. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll see lots on the safari. Hopefully there will be time to have a nice chat with you and your ex-husband, too! I’d love to learn more about how well you two cooperate!”
Ugh. How the hell was Jana going to keep this woman away from Anil on the safari? Jana was going to have to come clean about all the lies. Everyone would be talking about this for the rest of the trip.
Jana could feel her panic rising as her fists clenched. She took a step away from Dr. Lopez, and the next thing she knew, she was facedown in a pile of African savanna mud. Or…butt down, at least.
These stupid shoes were nowhere near appropriate for this terrain.
“Dr. Suleiman!” Dr. Lopez said, reaching for her with his free hand. “Are you okay?”
She was sitting in dirt. Yuck. This wasdisgusting. Jana wriggled her ankle. At least she was pretty sure she hadn’t hurt anything. Except her pride. And her dress, which was now covered with pili pili sauceandmud.
Maybe a broken ankle would have been a good thing, because it could have given her an out for the safari.
“Mommy!” Jana heard Imani yell. “You fell down! Daddy! Daddy! Mommy fell down! She fell in the elephant poop we found before! You have to help her! Don’t worry, Mommy. Daddy is going to take you out of the poop!”
Chapter 12
Jana closed her eyes and repeated her daughter’s words in her mind.Don’t worry, Mommy. Daddy is going to take you out of the poop!
Jana was in poo. It was the poo of her favorite animal in the world, but still…poo. And Anil was coming to rescue her. And Dr. Lopez and his wife were right here with Jana. Jana opened her eyes and tried to scramble to her feet before anyone could help her up, but Anil was already in front of her.
Damn it.
His strong arms were under hers in a second as he tried to lift her out.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. Shoo!”
Did she just shoo away Anil Malek?
“Are you okay? Here,” Dr. Lopez said, moving in front of Anil to try to give Jana a hand again. Jana didn’t want to be rescued by Dr. Lopez, either. She didn’t need her potential new boss yanking her out of a pile of elephant turds.
And she was attracting a crowd. Mom was on her way. And Kassim Uncle, Nadira Aunty, Jon Uncle, the wedding party…everyone.
But maybe this wasn’t poop? Why was she trusting a four-year-old to know the difference between dung and dirt?
“Jana!” Elsie said, rushing to them. She seemed to be able to navigate the Serengeti grasslands in stilettos just fine. “Are you all right? How wonderful that you found some elephant dung!”
Welp. So wonderful.
Jana waved away the crowd of people offering to help her and tried to get to her feet again. She needed to salvage some dignity here. “I’m okay.” She stood. Or at least she attempted to stand. Because when she put her weight on her left foot, she almost fell to the ground again. Anil and Dr. Lopez both reached for her.
“Let me get Mo to come carry you,” Elsie offered.
