His eyes searched mine. “I was afraid I had blown the only shot I had with you. I meant what I said before. Not that I didn’t mean to fall for you, but that I already had.”
Things were complicated between us, but I couldn’t deny that his words sent a thrill through me. There was something drawing us together, something stubborn that refused to give way, despite everything pushing against it. I shook my head at the strangeness of it all. “Of all the halal joints in the world, you had to walk into mine.”
Aydin didn’t laugh. “You were right, Hana. I can’t move across the country to lead my own life if my dad still stands behind me calling the shots.” He took a deep breath. “I am sorry for the hurt I caused you. I respect you and your family very much, and from now on I would like for us to be cordial business allies.”
I laughed at his formal phrasing. “A cordial business ally? Is that all I am?”
Aydin’s eyes darkened. “I’ll start wherever you want. Do you accept my apology?”
“That depends on the actions that accompany your words,” I said, matching his formal diction. I was only half joking, but Aydin nodded as if he had anticipated my response.
“I have some savings and investments from my time at Shah Industries. I’m going to cash it all in and then beg the bank for a loan. I plan to return every cent my dad lent me, immediately. I want to be free and clear of his money and his interference.”
I raised my eyebrows, impressed by the changes he was prepared to make. The fire in his eyes was inspiring. And also... okay, pretty hot.
“What happens after that?” I asked softly, daring him to say more.
“Then you tell me your favourite colour so I can send you flowers, your favourite place so I can take you there, your favourite book so I can read it just so we can argue about it. I know you want to work in radio, and I plan to cheer you on every step of the way. I might even listen to TSwift, if you insist.”
I started laughing, but he wasn’t done.
“You hold all the cards, Hana. What happens next is up to you.”
“We barely know each other—” I started, but he shook his head.
“It doesn’t feel that way to me. I feel like I’ve known you for much longer,” he said.
I recognized the truth of his words. That strange familiarity had been at the root of our instant connection from the very start. And while I wasn’t sure about our future, I could at least start by answering his questions.
“My favourite colour is leopard print,” I said. “My favourite place is Three Sisters, my favourite book isPersuasionby Jane Austen, and you need to listen to1989to appreciate the genius of Taylor Swift. Also, I hope you don’t have a problem with ambitious women, because I have big plans.”
“Ambitious women are my favourite kind,” he said. The smile that broke across his face reached from his lips to the crinkly corners of his eyes.
I finally let go of my fear and distrust and let myself fall too. I reached out my hand and gently cradled his face. He gripped my wrist tightly, the promise of more in his eyes, before he let go.
We were both smiling as we exited his office, having decided on nothing and everything.
OUTSIDE, THE PROTESTERS HAD GROWNslightly in number, and they cheered as I walked up to them.
“Here comes Hana, daughter of the hard-working owner of Three Sisters Biryani Poutine!” Yusuf roared through the megaphone. “Hana, please share your story with your supporters!”
I accepted the megaphone. “Go home,” I said to the group. “Or better yet, go inside and support Wholistic Grill, because they have reason to celebrate. Three Sisters Biryani Poutine is happy to finally have some company providing quality halal meals to our neighbourhood, especially after the hatred unleashed on Golden Crescent last week. And then come back tomorrow and support my mother’s restaurant. She’s been running it on her own for fifteen years, and I think some of you have been taking her for granted.”
I handed the megaphone back to a stunned Yusuf and walked away. Lily recovered first, falling into step beside me. “Yusuf was really looking forward to that protest. He wanted to do something for you.”
“Half your protesters were holding takeout containers from Wholistic Grill,” I said, and we smiled at each other.
“You’re really okay with Wholistic Grill opening?” she asked.
I paused, thinking. “No.”
“You want it gone?”
“No,” I said immediately. Not anymore.
Lily grinned beside me. “I’m going to miss you when I’m in Timmins,” she said. “Especially that fuzzy logic of yours.”
“You’re the science-and-facts girl. I’ll stay with my feelings. Have you told Yusuf you’re leaving?”
