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Nirah lifted her big brown eyes to me and I shook my head, already knowing where this was going. “No.”

A broad smile stretched across Nirah’s face and I let out an exasperated sigh. “You hungry?” she asked Sally, whose bubbly personality appeared instantly.

CHAPTER 24

Nirah

The three of us were seated at a table and I reached for the menu, opening it up in front of Sally. “What would you like to eat?” I asked and she leaned over, her hand on the armrest of my chair.

“Wow.” She glanced up at me. “These are big words,” she whispered and I chuckled.

“Well, why don’t you tell me what you like to eat and I’ll see if they have it.”

“Mhm…” She tapped her chin with her finger, and Antonio, who was sitting in front of us, crossed his arms over his chest. “Pizza. With pepperoni.”

“Yup.” I tapped my finger on the option. “And what are you drinking today, Miss Sally.”

“Strawberry milkshake.” She beamed. “What are you having?” she asked, taking the menu from me and I fought back a smile.

“I think I’ll have… the prawn pasta,” I answered and she tapped the sirloin steak and nodded.

“Yup.” She reenacted my reaction and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

She skimmed through the menu and my eyes lifted to Antonio to see the ghost of a smile pass his lips as he watched her. When he noticed me looking at him, his face fell flat.

I pretended not to notice and the waitress soon took our orders before disappearing.

Antonio leaned forward. “You’re ruining my date here, kid.”

I rolled my eyes at him, but Sally’s eyes widened as she gasped. “Are you like…” she paused, eyes ping ponging aggressively between us. “Boyfriend and girlfriend?”

I smiled. “No, we’re married.”

Her gasp was louder this time. “Like husband and wife?”

“Not like.” Antonio intervened. “We are husband and wife.”

“Cool.” She giggled, covering her mouth with both hands. “You have a husband,” she whispered up at me as though we were sharing some juicy gossip. “Is it fun? Do you kiss?” she placed both hands on the armrest as she leaned toward me. “That’s gross,” she added. “But it’s okay if you’re married, I guess.”

“Kiss? Him?” I asked in disbelief. “You’re right, that’s gross,” I whispered and the most heart warming laugh escaped her. “I’d never kiss…” I trailed off, casting him a quick look. “A boy.” I stuck my tongue out.

“But he’s nice.” She protested and I shook my head.

“Still a boy.” I reached for my glass of water.

“You should be nice to Nirah.” She pointed a stern finger at him and he only gave his head a slight tilt.

“I’m always nice to Nirah.” He defended himself and she placed both hands on the edge of the table, leaning forward.

“Then be nicer,” she whispered as though she was trying to help him out. Then, she shifted back, and I could almost see the light bulb going off above her head. “Hey Nirah.” She turned to me. “If you don’t like him, can I marry him?”

“One, you’re too young, and two, I never said that I didn’t like him.” I explained and she threw her head back with a groan.

“I’m not too young.” Her eyes fell on him. “Antonio, how old are you?”

He entertained her. “Twenty-nine.”

“And how old is an adult?” She crossed her arms over her chest.