“No way. I’m a California girl through and through. Can’t take those harsh winters.”
I chuckled and nodded in agreement. I couldn’t live in constant sunshine. I liked my broody weather; it so often matched my mood.
Elspeth nursed her beer. “So Nairie’s changed a bit since you last saw her, huh?”
I eyed her over my glass and lifted an eyebrow without saying a word. I refused to take the bait.
Elspeth pressed on. “She’s basically a hottie. Every time she comes to the pub, there’s always a new guy who thinks he stands a chance. But she’s been seeing this model for a while now.”
I scoffed. “Luke?”
Elspeth smiled. “Yeah. In her figure drawing class. Sometimes he stands there naked in front of her for hours.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and took another gulp.
“Apparently he’s well endowed too.”
“Gross, please stop talking.”
Elspeth giggled. “Fine, fine. I think they’re going out again tonight, though.”
I eased the grip on my glass so I didn’t shatter it. It was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that Nairie was clearly a woman now and has been for a while—a woman I was undeniably attracted to since seeing her almost nude last night and kissing her.
“Does she like him?”
Elspeth shrugged. “What’s not to like?”
I tossed back the rest of my drink.
Elspeth smiled mischievously. “So you wouldn’t mind if I invited them to the pub?”
“Not at all. I’d love to meet him.”
“It’ll be a blast.”
I didn’t respond, but Elspeth took that as a yes and continued prepping the bar for tonight’s opening. If Elspeth wanted to crash their date, so be it. I had nothing to do with this, but I would keep an eye on Nairie just in case the prick fell out of line.
Chapter 7
Nairie
Traveling from the valley to downtown was like watching evolution in action. The wide streets, vast strip malls, and families on afternoon strolls turned into one-way streets, towering steel, and homeless people on every corner. The idea that two places so different could co-exist thirty minutes from each other (without traffic) was startling.
Once I got to work, I finished organizing two out of the fifty filing boxes. I sighed at the monotony of it all. The echo of William’s words about always doing what was expected of me rang in my head.
The rows of shiny glass displays seemed to go on forever, and it triggered a sense of panic. My mother’s bracelets jingled louder than a freight train as she packaged a customer’s order, and the smell of stale coffee emanating from their ancient machine burned my nostrils. Before I knew it, my chest tightened as the cool prickle of a panic attack set in. Over the last year, I’d had more and more, always at unexpected times.
I quickly got up and locked myself in the bathroom. I was drowning in my panicked thoughts. It was like a wave repeatedly crashing over me, giving me no respite for air. It took twenty minutes of drawing in my notebook to convince myself that the dark and imminent doom creeping inside was just a passing feeling.
When I reemerged, I was surprised to see my aunt, Lilit, speaking with Baba. My heart leaped at the sight, excited to hear about all of her amazing stories.
Despite walking with a cane, Lilit was always dressed to the nines with a cravat around her neck, her long silver hair never out of place, and her nails perfectly manicured. Her makeup was elegant and simple with a bold red lip and precise cat eye on her big almond-shaped eyes. At some point, Lilit had gotten incredibly rich. There were rumors that a sheik took an interest in her and bought her properties and jewels, which she smartly invested.
I knew she was probably here just to pick a fight with Baba. They were siblings after all, and I always thought Lilit was making up for lost time since she traveled so much.
Today, it was about who made their mother’s hummus the best. I quickly hugged my aunt as they continued their argument.
Lilit’s voice was deep and melodic. “Nairie, do me a favor. Draw your father in a wig and dress.”
