“What’s new?” Ani asked.
“Oh, you know, working and finishing up this round of fertility treatments. Feels like it’s never going to happen…”
Erebuni’s voice cut in. “It’s been so hard. But I’m still hopeful.”
“Thank God for Erebuni, honestly. There is no way I could get through this hellish process without her.”
Ani’s heart clenched. She loved what they had—it was unshakably tender—and she yearned for it. She thought she had had it with Kami, but Kami thought differently.
Still, she felt for them and could only imagine what it mustbe like to want to be a parent so badly but not have it happen for so long. And they really would be such wonderful parents.
“You guys are the best. Sending you all the good vibes,” Ani said.
“Thanks, jan. So, what’s up?”
The freeway was mostly empty right now as Ani sped down it. “Well, kind of funny. Uh, I’m planning this Armenian wedding and it’s going to happen at an Armenian winery.”
“Wait, wait, pause—Armenianwinery? I need details,” Nareh said.
“It’s called Ô. Stunning property. I’m helping do some landscaping work for them, too.”
Nareh stayed quiet on the line, most likely waiting for Ani to get to the point. “And, uh, the reason I’m calling is that Ô is owned by the Garabedian family—you know, mobster-y dad. And his son…Raffi is running it. So I’ve been working with him a lot.”
“Wait. Raffi Garabedian?”
“Yep.”
Nareh’s voice grew sympathetic. “Oh no, I’m so sorry. Is he hitting on you nonstop?”
“Um, actually, not really. That’s why I wanted to call. You told me about him a few years back, and I want to confirm that it’s the same person. ’Cause he’s been, well, great. Easy to work with, hasn’t pushed any boundaries.”
Nareh did not sound convinced. “Raffi Garabedian, like blue-velvet Gucci shoes Raffi Garabedian, right?”
“The very same,” Ani said, her voice sounding shaky.
“Isn’t he a doctor?”
“He was, but I guess now he runs a winery.”
Nareh appeared to be thinking, and Ani imagined her staring up at the ceiling as she tapped her memories. “I mean, he wasn’t theworst. He wasn’t handsy or anything, but he was just so corny. He called me ‘reporter girl’ and said I was old-fashioned for wanting to go on a date first. He talked way too close, invaded my space, and just, like, assumed I would want to hook up with him. So arrogant.”
Raffi had asked her to lunch twice, but the first time she believed it was simply to make up for their early interactions. The second time, well, they’d been having such a beautiful morning together, she was even borderline flirting, so it didn’t feel inappropriate. Even when he was pretending they were a married couple, it felt fun, not gross. And his arm around her? That had felt more than fun. It had been…exhilarating.
Ani responded, “Damn, sorry. I just wanted to remember what you had said about him. It was a while ago, right?”
“That whole thing at Explore Armenia? That must have been about five years ago. Right ’Buni?”
“Five and a half, yes,” came Erebuni’s voice.
A long time ago. Raffi had alluded to many things changing since that time, that a lot had happened. She wanted to hope.
Nareh’s words didn’t align with the Raffi Ani knew, although he’d shown hints of it here and there. She wanted to hear from Raffi himself,howhe went from that Raffi Nareh had met at Explore Armenia to the one Ani was working with now. Though…should she? He said himself he hadn’t been in a relationship in quite some time and didn’t elaborate. Maybe he wasn’t pushy with women anymore, but it’s possible he wasstill a one-night-stand man. And Ani wasn’t about to waste her time on a man who was allergic to commitment.
Ani thanked Nareh and Erebuni, hung up, then exited to take Van Ness up to her apartment.
She needed to make a decision. Raffi’s party. She shouldn’t go; she really shouldn’t. The prudent thing to do would be to stay home or call up Sanan or one of her other friends and go out with them here in the city. Definitely not put on a little white dress and platform sandals and drive up to Napa. That would not be a good idea.
Right?
