Page 27 of The Pakhan

“Yep. Hey, I had to taste a couple while I was there.” She took a bite of her sandwich, her eyes still lighting up.

“You and your men.”

“You should try it sometime. When is the last time you dated a hot guy?”

I chomped down three fries, giving her a funny look. After swallowing, I took a sip of my diet drink before answering. “Um, try never.”

“Okay, what is your type anyway? I’ve never been able to figure that out.”

Admittedly, I’d never really thought about what kind of men I might prefer. “Very tall and rugged, handsome with dark hair. A little salt and pepper at his temples is fine with me. I like older men, you know. Real men. The kinds of guys who know what passion means and enjoy attempting to please a woman. They can’t be shy either, more like a take charge kind of guy. Oh, and it’s a bonus if the guy has tattoos.” I took another luscious bite of my sandwich, savoring the flavor.

I expected her to already be chastising me for one point or another but when she remained completely quiet, I finally lifted my head from consuming my sandwich like some famished beast.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She cocked her head, giving me a sly look. “You’ve just perfectly described my father, you know.”

“Did I?”

“Oh, don’t play coy with me. Maybe you don’t remember but a few years ago, you told me he was your fantasy man, like your personal Prince Charming.”

“I did not.”

“Yes, you did. I never forget anything.” Sofiya laughed. “He is attractive, but he’s old.”

“Oh, for God’s sake. Your idea of old and mine are entirely different.”

“You have a crush on him.”

“No, I do not,” I insisted, which reminded me of when we were kids trying to deny we’d done something wrong. I was twenty-six years old, for God’s sake, but around Sofiya, I reverted to being the seventeen-year-old girl who still had stars in her eyes.

She laughed and I could sense she was teasing me. “Relax. He’s a hot commodity but don’t get your hopes up.”

“I am not dating your father.”

“Oh, I have a feeling you would if you could. Since he’s your fantasy and all.”

“You are a terrible friend.” I shoved some fries into my mouth, trying not to allow his hotness to interfere with my lunch.

Tried and failed.

Even my nipples were aching. “Does your father have a steady girl?”

Sofiya coughed, forced to grab a napkin. “I won’t call your feelings for him icky or anything. Promise.” She took a couple of bites of her sandwich. “You know, I’ve never seen him serious with anyone. Sure, he’s dated a lot of women but not one has been special. I mean…” She looked away and I reached over, gripping her forearm.

“I’m sorry, girlfriend. I can’t imagine how it feels not having a mother.” Her mother had died when Sofiya and Daniella had been young. Of course, Daniella hadn’t been a part of the family then. From what I’d learned over the years, whatever had happened to Sofiya’s mom had also happened to Daniella’s parents at the same time. It had always been one of those off-limits subjects.

She plastered her usual sweet smile on her face. “No sadness today either. Now, eat up, girlfriend. We have shopping to do and I made an appointment with my personal hairdresser. You’ll adore Andre.”

We chatted as we finished our lunch, the light conversation allowing me to get lost in the silliness instead of the horror I’d been through. It now seemed like the terrible events had happened weeks before, not hours.

“Okay. Let’s get rid of these bags. They’re getting heavy. You grab the trays. I’ll take the bags to the guys for them to take back to the SUV.”

“You do know their jobs aren’t acting as personal shopping assistants.”

“I do but their brawn comes in handy.”

She was laughing as she scooted back her chair, grabbing the handles of the bags as I combined our lunch trays. I couldn’t help but watch as she instructed the guys, acting like the queen bee I’d always known her to be. I did so admire her ability to hold her head high through anything.

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