My gaze followed his hand, and my heart wanted to burst out in happiness when it clutched Zahra’s. It was a good start.
They shook hands like they were just acquaintances, and I saw tears brimming in Zahra’s eyes, but she blinked them back away, while my mate’s eyes were showing no emotions, but he was looking straight at her.
It was a good sign.
“Shall we take a seat?” I broke the awkward silence, and it was only then that Riley withdrew his hand away from Zahra and pulled a chair for me to sit on.
The server came and we placed our order, but I didn’t find anything appetizing, so I just ordered a cream of mushroom soup.
“Are you sure that’s all you want to eat? You almost ate nothing for breakfast either.” Riley asked me as soon as the server went away. His hand reached for mine at the top of the table.
I smiled at him before I answered him. “I don’t have an appetite, but I can taste what you ordered. Maybe if I end up liking it, then we can share.”
He smiled and squeezed my hand before withdrawing, and his face went back to its stoic state.
I turned my head to find Zahra looking at us. There were too many emotions in her eyes, but I could see happiness in there. She must have been proud of how attentive Riley was to me.
“How was your flight? Did you just arrive today?” I asked Zahra, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
“Yes. Just two hours ago. And we drove directly here from Harley.”
“We? Who was with you? Nadia told me you have a family, so I assume you have kids.” Riley butted in, and I was glad he did. At least the conversation would roll.
She smiled meekly while she looked directly into Riley’s eyes. “I have. Twins, both females.”
“Are they with you?”
“No. Just Leandro is with me today.”
“Why didn’t you take them?” He asked, his brow arched up.
“I wasn’t sure if you want to meet them, but I can call them and they can fly…”
“No need. I was just asking.”
“I see. How have you been, Riley?” Zahra asked, and I felt like a spectator, but I wasn’t complaining.
“I’ve been good. But better now that Nadia is here.”
“I’m glad too. You have a wonderful mate.”
“I do. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to have a wonderful mate.” His voice was full of sarcasm, even if his face wasn’t showing any.
“Riley…” I blurted in a hushed tone, and I felt my cheeks burning in embarrassment.
“What? It’s true.” He told me before his gaze went back to meet Zahra’s. “Anyway, I really don’t have anything to say. I’m only here because Nadia requested this. So if you have something to say…”
His words were cut off when the server arrived with our meal, and everyone just stayed silent.
My eyes darted to Zahra. She was affected by Riley’s harsh words, but she wasn’t backing down. Her eyes were still showing determination as she smiled lovingly at me.
The server took a while before he was done with setting our table with the food we ordered. We started eating in silence the moment he left, but my stomach didn’t like the soup at all, so I pushed the bowl slightly away before grabbing the glass of water beside me.
I didn’t notice that Riley was watching me until I saw the bowl being lifted away and replaced by his plate.
“Try the beefsteak. It tastes good. Well done.” He said this while slicing the steak in front of me, not minding that Zahra was looking at us. “You should eat. Otherwise, the pup will take all your energy and nutrients, and I’ll be left with a malnourished mate.”
I giggled. “You’re scared I’ll end up being too ugly?”
