Page 30 of Her Passionate Hero

“Can you not back off?” she asked with exasperation.

“Nope, did that thirteen years ago. I’m planted this time. How about that smile?”

Her lip quirked up at the corner.

“God, you’ve turned into a beautiful woman.”

“Don’t say that. I don’t need your lies.”

Her sparkle left. He stared at her dumbfounded. She was serious. He took his hands away from her cheeks, and she let go of him. Then he stroked his knuckles down her arms.

“I wouldn’t lie to you about this or be glib. We’ve been through too much real shit together. I’ve been in the trenches with you, Alia. You were always pretty, and your hair was gorgeous, that’s why those bitches were always pulling at it. But now, especially when you light up and smile, you’re beautiful.”

“I don’t understand you, Hunter.”

“I see that,” he pushed back a strand of hair behind her ear. “Give it time. Let’s get your grandma her cake.”

***

Aliana’s cell phone rang, it was the school and she had to take it. That left Hunter staring at Mrs. Jankovic.

“She doesn’t look upset. You did good.” The old woman looked pleased. “How are you going to fix things for my granddaughter?”

He liked this woman a lot. No wonder she was friends with his Mamie.

“I thought we might finish the cake before we got into the third degree.”

“Third degree?”

“Interrogation,” he explained as he took another bite of cake.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s fantastic. What kind is it again?”

“Marlenka honey cake. It is my mother’s recipe from the old country. Now, how are you going to make things better?”

He considered what to tell her.

“I’m going to call in a friend of mine,” he started.

“Phhhft. Not that. How are you going to fix it with her emotions?”

“What?” What was she talking about?

“My Aliana has been locked up into herself for many years. She has never worked past what happened the year her father died and you left. Were you her boyfriend?”

He set down his empty plate and gave her his full attention.

“She was my best friend in the world.”

“What were you doing in her bedroom that night?”

“At your son-in-law’s wake, she told me she never wanted to see me again. I had to understand why, so I went to see her.”

The old women peered deeply into his eyes. “I believe you. Now tell me what you are going to do to make her happy.”

“I’m still trying to get a handle on that.”