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When her mother laid it on, she laid it on thick. “I promise, mother.”
“Okay, call me back in a few. I have to call Margarine and tell her you have a boyfriend!”
“Mom!”
The line disconnected and the music playing softly in the background resumed.
“You have no idea what you just did,” she grumbled to Kien.
Her mother would be relentless in trying to pull every detail from her and Nisha would be forced to lie about anything she couldn’t tap dance her way out of answering. While her mom could be smothering at times, Nisha adored her.
She’d grown up seeing her mom and dad’s rich friends treat their kids like accessories and always appreciated how her parents went out of their way to make sure she knew she was loved and wanted. Her dad, a successful African-American lawyer and her Asian school teacher mom, had adopted her later in life after accepting biological children weren’t in their future. She’d grown up knowing she was adopted. In her soul, she felt as though she was chosen for them and they her.
Kien shrugged his massive shoulders. “What did I do wrong? We’re to pretend we’re two lovers on a vacation.”
“To strangers! The people out there.” She waved at the front window. “Not to my mom!”
Kien settled back into his seat. A frown pierced his brows. “What should I have done?”
Nisha let out a deep sigh and gripped the steering wheel. It wasn’t as though he’d deliberately tried to make a mess of things. “Been quiet like I asked and let me lie to my mom in peace.”
She let out a heavy breath.
* * *
“HOW IS THE MISSIONgoing?” Phate asked.
Kien leaned against the front of the gas station. People went in and out of the large brick building and every time the door opened, a new smell wafted out. Kien wasn’t sure if he liked the smells or not. Interesting was what he’d call it.
“We’re on schedule,” Kien replied. “How is Solgre’s health?”
“He’s holding on,” Phate said tightly. “I’m upset with him for letting it progress this far. If we’d known sooner...”
“We’re taking care of it now. You make sure he’s getting enough sleep and resting.”
“I’m trying.”
“That’s all you can do. Try.”
“Enough about that,” Phate said, almost cutting him off. “Why did you tell Nisha you had to follow Solgre’s orders?”
“When did I tell her that?” Kien knew exactly when he’d told her.
“You told her you had to take the trip with her because Solgre ordered you to.”
“He did.”
“He didn’t give an order. He suggested the two of you go. You and I both know you could’ve refused.”
Kien kept his mouth shut as he watched Nisha exit the gas station. She held two bags and when she saw him, she raised her chin. “Are you ready to hit the road again?”
Nisha was absolutely beautiful. She was much shorter and smaller than he preferred his females, but there was an appeal to her he couldn’t ignore. Her warm brown skin glowed under the sunlight. Dark brown curls with hints of red and gold spilled about her face.
And her feisty attitude? He loved it. He loved her witty responses and boldness. She was small, but her personality made her seem bigger than him.
He was in trouble. He’d known the moment she’d entered the restaurant and sat opposite of him.
“I won’t call again unless absolutely needed.” He disconnected before Phate could press him further.
