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“Yes, he’s lived there for as long as I can remember.”
“He came over and we talked for a few minutes.”
And you were out there with no shirt on? Oh God. What will he think is happening over here?
“What...what did the two of you talk about?”Please don’t let it be about me.
“Almi told me all about the work accident yesterday. Seems that Ibby sneezed, the wood slipped and the rest, well you know what happened.”
That I did. “Sad that something so simple as a sneeze had such a costly effect. Did you talk about...anything else?”
“No. His wife came out and I didn’t think it was appropriate for me to be standing there without a shirt. Didn’t want people to start talking.”
I bit my lip.Too late for that.
“I had offered last night, but maybe now you have changed your mind. Would you like one of my father's shirts?”
“I’m sure mine will be dry in an hour or two. Unless you’re worried that someone else will come by and see me like this,” he said.
Nope. I was only thinking about myself. This was such sweet torture. “We... I mean, I don’t get company here. Well, at least I didn't."Before you.
“It is the same way at my house. Then again, I’m hardly ever there.”
“Hardly ever in Tabiq,” I reminded him. I sat down, mostly because I wasn’t sure my legs were going to hold me much longer. “Are we going to eat or are you going to hold that pan of bacon all morning,” I teased.
“Since you are looking flushed, I guess we better eat,” he said, serving up the bacon, then the eggs and sliced bread. “We really need to get you a good coffee maker.”
“Why? I drink tea,” I smiled.
“For guests.”
“Like I said, people don’t come by. Even our neighbors, we only speak when we see each other outside.” It is the way it has always been since I was a child. I understood why it was like that back then, but we didn’t need to live in fear any longer. But so many people who were older than I was, couldn’t break away from their life experiences. No one said they were living in fear, but I could tell by their actions. Things had gotten better, but people were still so leery when others came to their homes.
“Okay. Coffee for when I come by,” he said.
“Why would you come? I mean you’re only here because I hit my head,”or so you say.
“Do you really believe that?” Niko asked.
“It is what you told me.”
He reached across the table and touched my hand. “Ovi, I’m here because I care.”
That was something, but care was still such a vague word. “I’m glad. I was worried that you didn’t care about your employees.”
He pulled his hand from mine and looked at me. “I care as much as anyone else. I hope someday you realize how wrong you are about me.”
Was it my imagination? Had I hurt his feelings? He seemed bothered by my comment. I hadn’t meant to be so cold. It’s just that this conversation was making me...uneasy. He was being so...sweet and I panicked. What did he mean, ‘I care’? It was too late. I couldn’t ask him now. Not after what I just said to him.
We went back to eating, but I was haunted by my comment, and then his. My head was pounding, and I needed to clear the air.
“I do know that you care. I saw it when you heard about Ibby. I felt it when I fell and hit my head. I’m sorry for what I said. You’re right. I misjudged you.” It felt good apologizing. That didn’t mean I agreed with everything he’d done.
“Apology accepted. And I’m sorry that I made you feel...uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t,” I lied. He cocked a brow and I added, “Well, maybe a little. It’s just that I can’t read you. I mean, sometimes when you look at me, I think you...”
“Like you?” he said. I nodded. “Then you think right. I do like you, Ovi.”He likes me.My heart skipped a beat. “You’re not like most Tabiqian women. You speak your mind.”
