Page 109 of Dark Rover's Gift

"I didn't bring anything," Arezoo admitted. "But maybe?—"

The words died in her throat as the door opened and Ruvon walked in. He stood by the entrance, scanning the crowd, and when his eyes landed on her, his face brightened.

"Did you tell him I was going to be here?" Arezoo hissed at Drova.

"I might have mentioned that to someone," Drova said innocently. "You know how news travels in the village."

"Drova!"

"What? He's nice. You're nice. Nice people should talk to each other."

Ruvon was already making his way toward them, and Arezoo's flight instinct kicked into overdrive. "Let's go. Before he gets here."

"Not a chance." Drova's voice turned firm. "You wanted to come to the bar. You're here. You don't get to run away just because a guy who likes you showed up."

"But—"

"No buts. You need to develop a backbone, girl. I guarantee that you can survive talking to a guy for a few minutes. You've talked to him plenty at the playground."

Before Arezoo could argue some more, Ruvon reached them, looking nervous, which was usual for him, or maybe just when he was around her.

"Hey," he said, his voice barely audible over the bar noise, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It's really crowded tonight."

"Everyone wants to see Fenella perform before she leaves for Egypt," Drova said. "Can I get you a drink?"

"I'll get it myself," Ruvon said quickly.

As he turned toward the bar, Arezoo grabbed Drova's arm. "Let's go now. Before he comes back."

She was dimly aware of how ridiculously she was acting, and that it would be terribly rude and hurtful to give Ruvon the slip, but she was driven by an irrational need to flee.

"No way, Arezoo. Ruvon is just a dude—a shy, awkward dude who thinks you're special. Give him a chance. Talk to him. It's not like anyone expects you to go home with him."

Arezoo nearly choked on her drink. "Don't even say things like that to me. You are fueling my panic attack."

Not really, but maybe a guilt trip would get Drova to be more cooperative.

"Five minutes," Drova bargained. "Give him five minutes. If you still want to leave after that, we'll go. But first, finish your drink and watch Fenella make someone's car keys confess to secret dreams of being a guitar pick."

Arezoo snorted despite herself. "She said that?"

Drova nodded. "According to Fenella, that one over there," Drova pointed to where Fenella was holding up a key ring, "wants to run away and join a rock band."

"That's funny and completely ridiculous."

"That's the point. The ridiculousness of her readings is what makes them fun. If she gave real readings, I bet they would be boring because, let's face it, most people are boring."

Arezoo took another sip of her mock mojito, using the glass as a shield. Around them, the crowd laughed at another of Fenella's silly revelations.

Five minutes. She could manage for five more minutes.

"Okay," she said quietly.

"Okay?"

"Five minutes. But if I want to leave after that?—"

"We leave," Drova promised.

Arezoo nodded and turned her attention back to Fenella's performance, determined to focus on the entertainment rather than the anxiety churning in her stomach. She'd taken the first step by coming here. Now she just had to survive the next five minutes, one second at a time, even if it involved talking to Ruvon.

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