Page 11 of Handsome
He shrugged. “It’s the custom in our house to ensure our guests have everything they need.”
I lifted my chin and held my breath so he couldn't see me trembling.
His dark eyes were so expressive, and my knees would have given out on me if I hadn't been holding onto the door. I swallowed and said, “So they’re just borrowed. Okay, I can live with that.”
He laughed like I just told him a joke, and then patted my arms and shook his head. “Whatever we bought is yours to keep. We don’t recycle underwear to give to random people.”
My eyes widened and I inhaled. Then I giggled while a hot blush covered my face. “That’s not what I meant. I should be horrified.”
He winked and said, “I’ll come get you in twenty minutes, so you have time to shower and change.”
Right. Work. The Norouzis must have a plan. I saluted him and said, “I’ll be ready to watch Joshua.”
He tilted his head like he hadn’t understood me and said, “I spent most of my night in there with him, and this morning we’re letting Maman and Pedar have a few hours before they leave.”
Today was turning out to be the most confusing day I’d had in forever. I turned to leave, but then I stopped myself, kept my head down and said, “Of course. Why do you call your mom and dad Maman and Pedar?”
His lips curved higher, and he said, “Maman means 'mom,' and Pedar means 'father.' When we were children, we called Pedar 'baba,' but once we turned five or six, he became Pedar.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him his mother’s name, but I adjusted my collar and said, “That’s cool. Give me a few minutes.”
I scurried inside before he could say anything else. Once the door clicked shut behind me, I threw myself on the bed and covered my head with a pillow.
Maybe it was the depressing start to my day, but I didn’t feel like I could be myself here.
However, I stripped, leaving my clothes in a trail behind me, and went to shower in my en suite room.
A shower usually woke me up, and I sighed to myself when I realized the showerhead above me rained water while the one coming out of the wall was more like a normal showerhead, but controlled with a lever, which was way nicer than the simple twist knob I’d always used.
I forgot myself and thought about Cyrus.
His kiss must make an entire body… who was I kidding… those lips of his on mine would make me melt faster than butter on hotcakes.
I turned off the water to stop any further thoughts about my new boss.
We’d have to talk, first so I could find out whether I could quit the diner, because I wasn’t sure about this job's benefits, pay, or anything. As I showered, I reminded myself I was here to ensure he bonded with Joshua.
I also wanted to make sure that even if he married some uptight woman and he and his wife had children of their own, he wouldn't abandon Joshua.
Elijah knocking on my door when he was eighteen and then moving out weeks later had been more heartbreaking for me than our parents’ death.
I’d hoped he’d be okay until that happened. Once Leah and he had reconnected, though, I was left out.
On one level I didn't mind, because drinking was never my escape.
I shook off the thoughts when I put on music from my old phone and swayed my hips. Music usually took my mind off my troubles and when I danced to the closet, I found a cute blue day dress. I giggled to myself while I dressed, not caring that the hem stopped high on my thighs, way higher than I was used to. I was lost in the music as I picked up the mess I left on the floor while I swayed.
The music made me bounce and picking up my dirty laundry was the closest to twerking I’d ever do. The dress flipping with me made me feel like a star.
Then I heard Cyrus. My skin grew goose bumps as I straightened quickly, tugging my dress down.
Heat rushed through me. Had he seen my butt and new panties?
His hands were relaxed at his sides, but he gazed at my waist a moment longer before meeting my eyes and saying, “Looks like you’re ready.”
Oh, no.My hips aren't perfect, since the diner foods I ate most of the time were usually fried. My heart raced, but I walked over and joined him.
I tugged on the hem of my dress and said, “I haven't worn a dress in… I don’t even remember. It was probably high school.”
