Page 51 of To Tango, with Desire

“My mother had lost her job, and Omar spotted her crying one day at the park. She’d been trying to get a position as a hotel maid in the city but had no luck. She was sinking in debt when he offered her a chance to come and work for him as his housekeeper.”

“Sounds like a fairytale story.”

“It felt like it. If Mom hadn’t tried to get that city job, if she hadn’t been rejected and taken me to the park that morning, we’d have never met Omar.”

“So, Kade’s dad took you both in?”

“We still lived in our one-bedroom apartment, but sometimes, when my mother was too tired to make the trip back home on the bus, Omar would let us sleep at the mansion.”

“Your first glimpse of luxury.”

“Of family. I was eight at the time, just a kid, but old enough to understand that we weren’t like other families at school. And I understood that Omar and Kade’s lives were very different from our own. He was only five, just starting school when we met, and I think a part of him looked up to me at first. But then he grew older and realized I wasn’t his special friend, but his servant’s son.”

“Ouch.”

“It was bound to happen. Even though Omar helped get me into a good public school, Kade was in a private one, and with that came privileges and friends that were only too happy to point out our differences. I’m glad my mother didn’t allow me to go to Kade’s school, as it would’ve been painful. My mother was paid well by Omar, but I didn’t have the same opportunities as Kade.”

“Was it hard growing up feeling that imbalance?”

“I tried to not let it get me down. I was grateful, really fucking grateful to see my mother happy. And I looked up to Omar as a father figure. He taught me so much about life and none of it was to do with money.” Zane’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “Kade grew up spoiled. If his father gave me a gift for my birthday, Kade wanted it, but bigger. We got along in those early years, then fought as brothers do later in life. I made allowances for him when I shouldn’t have. I think Omar realized he’d done this too.”

“But you were still friends throughout high school and university?”

“When it suited Kade. I tried not to go to the mansion as much when I got older. Kade is very charming, a natural people person. I wasn’t shy by any stretch, but I’d grown up rough and acted in ways that would have rubbed against those in good society. I was aware of our differences very early on and I knew my place. I had other friends and bigger dreams, and it was thanks to Omar that I got those chances.”

“You speak very fondly of him.”

“He was a good man. My biological dad was a useless druggie. But Omar? Omar taught me how to be a man. How to go after my dreams. When I made my first million, he was the one I called.”

“And not your mother?”

“She died when I was eighteen.”

“Oh. Is Omar still—”

“He died a year ago.”

“I bet they’re both so proud of you now.” I reached out, placing my hand on his. “I’m so sorry.”

Zane shrugged. “It happens. It was sudden, but he left this world a better place.”

“So, what happened between you and Kade? Why did you fall out?”

Zane brushed his hand over the dainty gold bracelet at my wrist. “That’s not a date night topic of conversation.”

“But—”

“Let’s just say, I was hurt by him. Betrayed. And while I’ve forgiven him for it, I won’t ever forget it. Amira, when someone shows you who they are, believe them. I made excuses for Kade for too long.”

“So why won’t you give him a chance to make it up to you?”

“I’m not interested.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t need his friendship or what he thinks he has to offer.”

“But how do you know, unless you hear him out?”