He nodded. "She's Atzil's partner, so she often stops by Kalugal's house when Atzil serves lunch or dinner for the men. When she heard about the picnic, she suggested the strawberries. And the wine."
Arezoo was starting to realize that the picnic had turned into a much bigger production than it was supposed to be.
"How many people know about our picnic?" she asked.
He looked embarrassed. "A few. At first, I was trying to get someone to give up his reservation at Callie's, so eventually all of my friends knew that I wanted to take you out on a date. No one had reservations for the coming days, and they kept asking if I had found anyone to trade with, so I had to tell them about the change of plans."
Arezoo let out a breath.
It wasn't a big deal, and most people had already seen them sitting together at the café, so their friendship wasn't a secret, and people had probably figured out that it would eventually turn into something more.
"Does it bother you?" he asked.
"No. We have nothing to hide."
"I'm glad."
They walked in silence for a few moments, following the path that wound through the village toward the lookout point. The evening was warm, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of jasmine and other flowers from the gardens they passed.
"I hope no one else is there," Ruvon said as they navigated around a cluster of decorative boulders. "There aren't really any other private spots in the village suitable for a picnic."
"We could always have our picnic in the backyard of one of the unoccupied houses," Arezoo suggested, only half-joking. "No one would bother us there."
He glanced at her in surprise. "That's actually not a bad idea. Though it might be considered trespassing."
"In a village where everyone knows everyone? I doubt anyone would mind." She was warming to the idea. "But let's check the lookout first. I hope luck is on our side."
When they rounded the last bend in the path and found the lookout point empty, just as they'd hoped, Arezoo released a breath. The small lawn area with its single bench and sprawling oak tree commanded a spectacular view of the Malibu Mountains, with the ocean visible in the distance.
"Perfect," Ruvon murmured, and she wasn't sure if he meant the view or their privacy.
They spread the blanket under the oak tree, positioning it to take advantage of the view. Arezoo settled onto it, while Ruvon began unpacking the basket.
"Atzil has prepared enough food for an entire family," Arezoo said as container after container emerged. There was freshbread, several types of cheese, olives, stuffed grape leaves, sliced fruit, miniature quiches, and all kinds of pickled vegetables.
"He said something about 'young love requiring proper fuel,'" Ruvon said, then immediately looked stricken. "I mean, not that he meant?—"
"It's okay," Arezoo said. "Obviously, he would think that. It's a date after all, right?"
Ruvon nodded, looking relieved. "Yes. Our first official date." He pulled out a wine bottle and two glasses. "Which calls for a toast."
She smiled. "It does."
He fumbled with the corkscrew for a moment before managing to open the bottle. The wine was white, crisp, and cold, and Arezoo took a grateful sip as soon as he handed her the glass.
"To our first date." Ruvon raised his own. "May it be the first of many."
She clinked her glass against his. "To many more," she said with less enthusiasm than he had, not because she didn't want there to be more but because she was not an optimistic person.
Who knew what tomorrow held?
They began filling their plates, and as Ruvon piled olives on his, she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.
"Can I ask you something?"
He looked up, wariness flashing across his features. "Of course."
"Your fashion transformation," she gestured at him, encompassing the clothes, the hair, the newfound confidencethat seemed to radiate from him. "How did that happen and why?"
