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“A few good friends of mine. You’ll have good conversation and dancing choices other than me.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? You’re going to let your friends see me here at your forbidden castle? Has hell frozen over?”
“You’re the one making all the assumptions here, Yana. And you won’t give me a chance to dispel any of them. One might wonder why you need to retain them. Almost like armor, one could say.”
He left her standing there, with her mouth open, incredibly frustrated with her and even more so with himself. But he’d brought temptation into his life, into his house, into his very bed even, and he had nothing left in him to resist her.
CHAPTER EIGHT
YANAWASSEARCHINGthrough her wardrobe for something to wear to Nasir’s dinner party when she heard a knock on her door.
For a second she wondered if it was one of the staff to tell her that Nasir had rescinded the invitation. Because nearly a week later, she still couldn’t process his change of heart.
Tolerating her for Zara’s sake was one thing. Actively seeking her company was another. Although, she didn’t doubt that he thought he was being all protective and honorable by keeping her out of trouble. Whatever his motive, though, she was far too tempted by this chance at a glimpse into his life to refuse.
She opened the door to find an army of people. Surprise made her gasp as Ahmed and a younger woman rolled in a dress stand, followed by Zara, her hand tucked into her grandmother’s bigger one.
Yana followed Ahmed and the colorful display of dresses on the stand. “What’s going on?”
“Nasir Sir thought you might need help with getting ready for tonight.”
“Did he?” Yana asked, somehow keeping her bitterness to herself. “Does he think I’d embarrass his highbrow friends, Ahmed?” she hissed in a whisper so the others couldn’t hear.
He shook his head. “This is my daughter, Huma,” Ahmed said, beckoning the younger woman closer. “If it’s okay with you, she wishes to dress you for the party.”
“I was just going to wear something from my wardrobe,” Yana added, wary of Nasir’s new behavior. But the crestfallen expression on the younger woman’s face made her feel horrible. “Of course, I didn’t pack for one of Nasir’s fabulous dinner parties. I’d love a chance to try one of your creations.” She ran her fingers over a couple of evening gowns made of frothy chiffon and cut in simple, classic lines. Nearly a decade and a half in the industry had given her a discerning eye when it came to fashion. “These are gorgeous. Did you design these yourself, Huma?”
Pride and joy shone in Huma’s eyes. “Yes, I’m studying fashion.”
Ahmed gave his daughter a nudge. “Nasir Sir has already paid for her education. But she refuses to leave because she thinks her old papa cannot take care of himself.”
Yana’s heart warmed at the obvious affection between these two. Suddenly, she could see why Nasir might have suggested to them that Yana needed help. It wasn’t a big surprise that he was a wonderful human being when it came to other people. It was only her he held in such low esteem.
Even if it’s only so I can admit to you that I’ve been inexcusably wrong...?
His question had been haunting her. Did he truly want to apologize to her? To begin a different sort of relationship? Could she bear that? Or was she letting him mess with her head again?
“I’d love to wear one of your creations, Huma, as long as you let me pay you for it.”
Huma shook her head. “Not at all. It’s a dream come true to see you wear one of my designs. If you’d just let me take a picture once you’re wearing it,” she rushed on. “I wouldn’t share it with anybody. Not on social media. I just... I want proof that the gorgeous, stunning Yana Reddy wore one of my designs.”
Yana squeezed her hand. “Of course you can share it. Between you and me, I’m kind of getting tired of the modeling world, but I still have my foot in the door there. I know a lot of photographers and design houses. I’ll get you in touch with people I trust,” she added, noting Ahmed’s expression.
“I’m not worried about the kind of people you will introduce her to, Ms. Reddy. If they’re anything like you, my daughter is in good hands.”
Yana had no idea what she’d ever done in her life to deserve such genuine affection from him but she let it drape around her like a childhood blanket. “Now...” She clapped her hands, picked Zara up and settled her on her hip. “Let’s see. Zuzu baby, do you want to help me pick a dress for tonight?”
Like an octopus, Zara wound her hands and legs all around Yana, as if she never wanted to let her go. For all the hours they spent together, Yana was still dreading the goodbye that would eventually come at the end of three months. As much as she hadn’t wanted to be here, under the same roof as Nasir, she’d found that she liked living at the castle.
Especially since, whatever her son had said to her, Amina had kept her distance from Yana, too.
“To turn you into a pwincess?” Zara asked.
Yana laughed. “Maybe. Although I’d like to be a princess who saves herself.”
Zara nodded, as if she understood the intricacies of adulthood and wanting to be someone who saved themselves. “But I’d love Huma’s help with a dress and yours with my hair so that I can be a perfect princess. Even the brave princess needs all the love she can get.”
“Yay, did you hear, Gwandma? Yana Auntie said I can do her hair.”
