Still, guilt needled through her as she thought of Azam’s clenched jaw. ‘I’m sorry for worrying you all.’
Kiri waved a hand. ‘You worry when you love someone, and you never have to apologize for love, dearest.’ She gave Sonya a smile, taking the vanilla extract. ‘Now get changed and then come down. I’ll boil water for tea.’
Sonya did as she was told, changing into dry clothes. Her feet were still cold, so she pulled out a pair of thick wool socks Azam had given her. They were his but he’d told her they had shrunk from too many washes, and while they were still a little big on her, they were very warm.
When she went down, she was glad to see the mood was significantly less tense. After a few warming cups of tea, Kiri and Caden worked on the refreshments for the opening while Sonya pulled dinner together and Azam went back to his samples, taking Dania with him. They regrouped for dinner, eating seared salmon—Caden had brought fresh fish—along with asparagus, snap peas and roasted radishes.
‘I’ve never had roasted radishes before,’ Sonya said, taking a bite. They were usually so sharp when they were raw, but this way they were juicy and soft, and that opened an entire debate as to which was the best way to enjoy radishes.
After dinner, Caden went home and Sonya stayed up with Kiri, cleaning up the dishes and setting things out for the following day. By the time she made it to bed, she was exhausted and very ready to sleep.
Except that, alone, she felt the fear creep up again, as if she was lost in the rain once more. She clutched her blankets around her tight, trying to sleep.
Until she heard a creak at the door.
Sonya opened her eyes to find Dania had popped her head around the door. She was holding her stuffed bunny. ‘Dania? Is everything alright?’ Sonya asked. Dania entered the room, closing the door halfway behind her before climbing onto Sonya’s bed. Sonya made room, lifting the blanket, and Dania slid in.
Her feet were warm as she pressed them against Sonya’s knees. They faced each other, sharing a pillow.
‘Are you going to sleep with me tonight?’ Sonya whispered. Dania nodded. ‘And Mr. Bunny, too?’
‘Mr. Bunny was scared when you got lost,’ Dania said. Sonya’s heart all but melted.
‘I am very lucky to have you both keep me company,’ Sonya said, putting an arm over Dania and her bunny. Dania nestled closer.
‘I’ve never had a sister before,’ Dania whispered.
‘Me neither,’ Sonya whispered back.
‘Can we be sisters, Baji?’
Sonya smiled, elation spreading through her. ‘Yes, but only if you give me lots of hugs and kisses.’
Dania giggled. ‘That’s easy!’
‘Alright, then. We’ll be sisters.’
In the morning, Sonya woke to a soft knocking on her door.
‘Sonya, have you seen Dania?’ Azam asked. ‘She isn’t in her room.’
Sonya opened her eyes. The door was half closed, but Azam wasn’t looking in. Dania was already wide awake, and at her brother’s voice, she smiled, then hid under the blanket.
‘Oh!’ Sonya replied, voice theatrical. ‘I don’t know where she could be!’
‘Can I come in?’ Azam asked.
Dania giggled under the covers.
‘Yes,’ Sonya replied, sitting up. Azam entered. He was already dressed, as if he had been up for some time. He looked confused, then spotted the lump in her bed. Realization dawned on him.
‘Ah.’ The worried expression on his face shifted into something unreadable as his gaze went to Sonya’s bare shoulder, where the nightdress had slipped. Heat poured through her.
His face went blank as if he’d lost his train of thought. She pulled the sleeve up over her shoulder, and he cleared his throat.
‘Sonya, what is Mr. Bunny doing in your bed?’ he asked in mock surprise.
‘Um…’ Sonya trailed off, trying to keep up the charade, but Dania’s muffled laughter filled the air.
