“It’s like a carbonated yogurt drink,” Farzan explained. “It’s not for everyone.”
“Hm.” It sounded sus, but David wouldn’t mind trying it.
He cracked open a screw-top Oregon Pinot and filled a pair of stemless glasses.
Farzan kissed his dad on the cheek, wiped his hands on a towel, and took the offered glass. “Thanks. Come on, let’s meet everyone else.”
Farzan dragged David into the living room, where the rest of his family was gathered: his mother; his younger brother, Navid, and Navid’s fiancé, Gina; and Maheen with her husband, Tomás. They were loudly discussing Sporting KC’s performance in the playoffs, but stopped as soon as they saw David.
David had heard of being love-bombed before, and he’d always associated it with cults, but he wasn’t sure what else to call being suddenly surrounded by Farzan’s family, exchanging hugs and cheek kisses and hasty greetings with five people all at once.
“Let him breathe,” Farzan said, laughing and pulling David aside. “He’ll be here all night.”
“Can you blame us?” Maheen said. “You know the last time you brought a boyfriend around to meet us?”
“Jason, right?” Navid said, elbowing Farzan in the side.
Farzan’s lips pressed together, and his brow knit, but Navid kept going.
“God, I don’t miss that guy.”
“Aw, he wasn’t that bad,” Maheen said. “He was cute at least. Though not as cute as you,” she said to David.
“No, he wasn’t that bad up until the whole cheating thing,” Navid said darkly.
David nearly spat his wine out, but poor Farzan looked like he wanted to dive into his glass and drown in it. He took a huge gulp and shook his head.
“Oh, wait, there was Sean too,” Maheen said.
“Sean!” Persis shouted from the couch. “Don’t mention that pedar sag in here. I can’t believe I spent all day making noon-e panjereh for him.”
Farzan’s shoulders were creeping up toward his ears again. David grabbed his shoulder and squeezed. “Hey,” he whispered. “It’s all good. I don’t care about your exes.”
Farzan shook his head and finished his glass, then stared at it.
“Want me to grab you more?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“Anyone else want some wine?” David asked.
“I’ll grab some.” Tomás followed David to the kitchen. “What is it?”
“Oregon Pinot.”
Firouz was humming to himself at the stove while David topped up Farzan’s glass and poured another for Tomás. “Want me to pour one for Maheen?”
Tomás bit his full bottom lip and shook his head. He was handsome, with bronze skin, bowed lips, ink-black hair cut short and stylish, and a nose just crooked enough to make him look a bit roguish. “Nah, just me.”
“All right.”
“I know it can be overwhelming. I remember the first time I met everyone. Just keep breathing.”
“Thanks.”
“David,” Firouz called from the stove. “Could you pour me one, too?”
“Sure, Mr. Alavi.”
