I withdrew into my head, half listening to my family’s conversations. Maman was working on a large rural maternal health grant, and Baba was planning a greenhouse expansion. Bibi was unusually quiet, but the mischief dancing in her eyes had me bracing.
I was trying to decide if my stomach would stretch enough for me to eat seconds when she spoke up.
“Azizam, next time you come for dinner, bring Lucy.”
“Yes, you must,” Maman added a little too quickly, growing my suspicion that they had previously discussed this. “She’ssolovely.”
“And talented,” Baba added with perfect timing, like this was a skit they were performing. “She emailed me progress photos of my suit, and I am definitely going to be the most handsome man at the award ceremony.”
“When you pick up the suit, you should invite her to dinner,” Bibi said.
They stared at me expectantly.Was I saying how much I loved my family? Because I take it back.
“We’re not really…” I trailed off because what was there to say? She chose someone else over me. An alpha.
“Not what?” Maman’s eyebrows knitted together.
I shoveled a huge bite of rice into my mouth to buy me some time. I didn’t want to lie to them, but I was embarrassed.
Everyone stared at me while I chewed. Slowly. Only the sound of the front door broke our staring contest, but the distraction was not welcome because there was only one person it would be.
Sure enough, my sister strode into the room wearing an embroidered pink headband I knew she’d gotten from Lucy. I held back a groan. All I’d wanted was to spend the evening alone, wallowing in my depression, but now I found myself caught in an Azad-woman ambush. Damn my family for having healthy communication skills.
Parisa greeted everyone with hugs and kisses before sitting down beside me.
“Who sent out the bat signal?” I asked under my breath.
She snorted as she picked up the glass of tea Baba poured for her. “Bibi was the first to text. Maman’s text came twenty minutes later.”
Yep. Classic.
“But when Baba texted, that was when I knew something was going on.”
My eyes widened. Baba didnottext, which meant my attempt to hide my dark mood from my family had failed miserably.
“I’m surprised your alphas aren’t here. Don’t they break out intohives if they’re more than three feet away from you?” I was being an asshole, trying to goad her into changing the subject, but she didn’t fall for it.
“They’re worried about you, too, Le-Lo.” She traced her finger along her glass, her scent turning acidic.
Aww, fuck. I couldn’t stand seeing my little sister sad, especially when she pulled out my childhood nickname. My full name was Alireza, but Parisa’s baby babbling had transformed it to Le-Lo, and once we moved to the U.S., I’d claimed the nickname Leo. It was an easier name for my classmates to pronounce, but it also just felt more like me. Besides, my sappy side loved the reminder of a chubby toddler Parisa chasing her Le-Lo around.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I’ll be okay, Ri-Ri.” Her lips tugged up at her own childhood nickname.
“But what happened? Is it Lucy?”
The rest of the table had fallen suspiciously silent. I sighed, but it wasn’t like anything I shared would stay secret.
“We went on a date after the last town meeting.”
Maman’s eyes brightened and Parisa let out a little squeak.
“But it’s not going to work out.” I took a sip of tea as if it would keep my words from scraping the insides of my throat. “An alpha came into my shop yesterday to buy Lucy flowers.”
“Who?” Parisa asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Last week, Lucy and I were supposed to have our first date and she stood me up. Turns out, she was in Boston with this alpha.”
“She stood you up?” Maman’s lips turned down in a fierce frown. “I thought she was better than that. At least you know now. Don’t waste your time on inconsiderate people who don’t appreciate you.”
