Page 18 of Dark Rover's Shire


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She found one about dreams and hope, about the resilience of the human spirit. Her teardrop translator would mangle it, turning the music of the Persian language into functional but artless English. Still, she wanted to share this piece of her culture with him, and that was the only option available to her.

Her English wasn't good enough to translate the words by herself and try to imbue them with music.

As she began to read, the words flowed like water, even though she could hear the translator's echo turning them into something else. The rhythm was lost, the rhyme scheme destroyed, but the meaning—hopefully—remained.

"In the garden of dreams, where hope takes root, the soul finds strength to bear its heavy load. Though storms may rage and darkness may dispute, the heart remembers light along the road."

She continued through three more stanzas, aware of Ruvon's complete attention. Leaning forward, his coffee forgotten, he looked into her eyes, his dark gaze never leaving her face.

When she finished, the silence between them felt charged.

"That was beautiful," he said. "Thank you."

Arezoo closed the book carefully, running her hand over the cover. She should give it back. It was too much, too valuable, too meaningful. But her fingers wouldn't let go.

"I shouldn't accept this," she said, not looking at him.

"Why not?"

"Because..." She struggled for words. "Because this is not just a used book. It's an expensive gift that I don't deserve."

"You deserve it," Ruvon said quietly. "You deserve beautiful things. You deserve to have someone think of you when they see something lovely. That's all this is—I saw it and thought of you."

Arezoo felt tears prick at her eyes and blinked them away.

"Now I owe you a gift," she said, trying to lighten the moment.

Ruvon shook his head. "You don't owe me anything. The look on your face when you opened that book, the joy in your eyes, that's the greatest gift I could ask for."

The words should have come across as cheesy, but his sincerity made them sound authentic, meaningful, and she believed him when he said her happiness was enough for him.

"My break is almost over." She took a sip of her coffee. "I wish I could stay longer, but I can't."

Another beautiful smile brightened his face. "Thank you for sitting with me and for reading to me."

Arezoo stood, cradling the book against her chest. "Thank you for this. I'll treasure it."

"I'm glad." He gathered his things but left her coffee and muffin on the table. "Those are yours. You barely touched them."

"I'll finish them behind the counter," she promised.

He nodded, shouldering his laptop bag. "Maybe... maybe sometime when you're not working, you could read me another poem?"

It wasn't quite asking for a date, but it was close, and Arezoo considered it. "Maybe," she said, which was more than she'd thought she'd offer. "If you have time to stop by the cafétomorrow, I'll ask Wonder for a longer break." She forced a smile. "Hopefully, the place won't be as busy as it was today."

He nodded, looking satisfied as if he'd won a bet with someone, or just with himself. "I'll be here."