Page 58 of My Heart Belongs to You

Nadir shook his head while heading toward the kitchen. He paused abruptly in the doorway but quickly recovered. My heart stopped when I saw him looking at the flowers Joseph sent me. When I returned from Portland, they were at my doorstep. The gesture was cute and made me feel special. If only he backed it up with actual quality time, the effort would hit harder.

I didn’t consider how the flowers might affect Nadir. Then again, I shouldn’t have to consider it.

We’re just friends.

“What’s on the menu?” Nadir asked, seemingly unbothered by the flowers.

“Chicken wings and crab dip.”

“I like that. How do you want your drink?”

“Neat.”

Nadir looked at me and smirked. “You got it.”

Reaching into the cabinet in front of him, he grabbed two short glasses. The way he moved around my kitchen, like he owned the place, was funny. He handed me a glass then tipped his drink toward me. “To you.”

I beamed. “Cheers.”

The whisky went down smoothly, leaving behind notes of honey with a smoky finish.

“Yummy. What took you so long to open this?” I asked.

Nadir eyed his glass then took another sip. “I was saving it for my wedding day. Just before the reception, my bride and I would share a glass. Then maybe finish the rest that night.”

I drank more whisky, this time letting it sit on my tongue just long enough for it to tingle. Nadir looked at his glass, then back at me. The intensity in his eyes hit me between my thighs.

“But since that ain’t happening for a while, this is the next best thing.”

“I don’t know if this is comparable,” I said with a wry smile.

He tilted his head to the side, eyes pinned on me. “In both scenarios I’m celebrating the most important woman in my life.”

“Nadir,” I whined, melting inside.

My heart danced at his declaration. He knew what to say to make me weak in the knees. Every day he did something to deepen my attraction to him. Today, he reminded me that my accomplishments were worthy of celebration. He showed me how much happiness mattered to him. I didn’t want to fall for him, but he was making it impossible not to.

“You asked a question, and I answered, honestly.”

I nodded. “You’re right.”

Nadir never held his tongue, which I liked. That made it easy to talk to him and trust his advice. There was never a time when he held back for the sake of my feelings. If he ever went too hard, he apologized right after. I appreciated his consideration when it came to my emotions.

Once we were settled in the living room, I started Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Nadir had seen it when it came out years ago and wanted to rewatch it. I would probably fall asleep at some point, so I didn’t care what we watched.

An hour later, I sat with my legs crossed in front of my coffee table. I nibbled on the crab dip and crostini, my eyes glued to the television screen. Nadir chuckled from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see him texting. The flirtatious smirk on his lips made my eyes roll. Since the opening scene, Nadir had been occupied with something else. I reached for my drink and sipped.

“You want more?” he asked from over my shoulder.

“I’m good.” I leaned back against the couch, my arm brushing his leg. Goosebumps covered my skin and I sighed.

“Let me know when that changes.”

I continued watching the movie, growing more annoyed by the minute. Between my irritation and the whisky, I was warm. After removing my sweater, I placed it on the cushion behind me.

Nadir sighed and I turned around to see him shaking his head at his phone. “You know you’re the one who suggested this movie?”

“I’m watching it,” he countered with wrinkled eyebrows.