Eventually, she decided to stop skating to save her sore butt, and because she knew Rashid wasn’t really getting the chance to do what he loved to do—actually skate. She told him she’d watch from the sidelines for a bit.
“Wait, before you go…” He leaned close to her. “There’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but never have had the opportunity.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
He leaned forward. “Kiss someone on the ice.” And then his lips were on hers.
It was magical. The holiday music playing. Light snow was falling. And the softest lips in the world were on hers. Ruby hadnever fantasized about kissing someone on skates—probably because she was so terrified of the death blades—but this soft, warm kiss combined with the cool air was beyond perfect. But that was probably because of who she was kissing, not the location. Every good memory Ruby had from Christmas seasons before this one paled in comparison to the memories she was making with Rashid Hakim.
He grinned at her after releasing her. He had such a great smile—she could get used to seeing it every day. She could get used to Rashid.
She exhaled. She wasn’t supposed to get used to him. This was a fling. And for her own self-preservation, she needed to remember that.
Rashid spent the evening at Ruby’s again on Thursday night. They ate Thai takeout and watchedElfbecause Rashid said he liked Will Ferrell. But they didn’t really watch it; they ended up talking for hours, about his friends back in Calgary and even a bit about his ex. They’d been together for three years, and Ruby was curious about her.
“Your sister said she dumped you because you didn’t propose,” Ruby said.
He nodded. “Yeah, I guess, technically. Jackie’s best friend getting a Tiffany engagement ring was the death knell to the relationship.”
Oh. Was this woman the reason why he hated designer goods? “Was she into expensive things?”
He shook his head. “Not particularly when we met. But I guess she changed while we were together. Instagram didn’t help. But I don’t want to make her out to be materialistic.” He exhaled. “Jackie was fine. We just weren’t suited. I knew that long before we broke up. I’m not proud of it. I should have ended things earlier, but I was so busy. We both were. She’s in finance.”
Ruby frowned. “That’s so sad. You were too busy to end the relationship?”
“To fix it or end it.” He exhaled. “I don’t come out as the good guy here. I wasn’t ever really into Jackie, not like… not like I’d want to be before deciding to spend my life with someone. I think the right person would make me want to change for her… to sacrifice something to be a better person for her. Jackie wasn’t that for me. And I wasn’t it for her.”
Ruby thought about that. She’d never in her life felt like that about anyone, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to. “I’m happy with who I am. Why would I want to change for a man?”
Rashid looked at her for a moment. “I think it would be… nice… to find someone who inspires you to be a better person, both for yourself and because they deserve that.”
Ruby exhaled. This conversation was getting altogether too deep for a fling. “Okay. I have a question,” she said. “You don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.”
He nodded. “Go ahead.”
“If I asked, would you eat spaghetti and meatballs with maple syrup? Like Buddy onElf?”
He snorted a laugh, then buried his face in Ruby’s neck, inhaling deeply. “There are limits to what I would do for you, Red.”
That night the sex was slow and toe curling, the perfect end to a perfect day. They both had to work early Friday morning, though, so there was no time for a morning repeat. Or even breakfast.
“So, question for you,” Rashid asked as he was putting on his shoes. “We are going to a celebration at Jamatkhana tonight. Jasmine is trying to introduce the girls to our culture and religion. I’m not super religious, but I said I’d go with her. Would you be interested in joining us?”
Ruby squeezed her lips together. That is not what she expected him to ask. Ruby wasn’t religious, either, and had barely been to the prayer hall since her mother passed, even though her mother used to go several times a week. Should she go with Rashid, Jasmine, and the girls now?
Maybe it would be a good way to remember her mother before leaving Toronto. And an excuse to wear the one salwar kameez in her closet, which didn’t get a lot of attention.
“The girls got matching lehengas to wear,” Rashid added.
Ruby got off work at five, so she could go. “Okay. I’d love to come with you.”
He smiled widely. And Ruby realized that she kind ofwaschanging because of this man.
WHEN RUBY WALKED INTOthe prayer hall Friday night, she knew she’d done the right thing by coming here with Rashid, Jasmine, and the girls. She’d forgotten howmovingthe place was, with its towering glass roof that made her feel like she was inside a crystal. She teared up a bit, remembered coming here with her mother, but the memories felt like a gift now, instead of feeling like something had been taken from her. Plus, all the women here were dressed in vibrant jewel-toned cultural clothing that was a feast for her fashion-loving eyes.
After prayers, the five of them went to the social hall for chai and cake. The girls were excited to see that sharbat was also being served—a pink milky drink flavored with rose essence and basil seeds that Ruby hadn’t had in years. The first sip brought her right back to her childhood.
“Do you seriously like that stuff?” Rashid asked. He was drinking chai with no sugar. “Don’t you think it tastes like rose soap?”
