“Yes.”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
I put the phone in my pocket and turn to Nina. “I have to go. Dimitri will stay and take you back when you’re done.”
“Is everything okay?” she asks.
“Yes.” I nod and kiss her, then seeing the way her mother watches us, I add, “Put on something sexy and wait for me. I won’t be long.”
I follow Roman with my eyes as he wheels himself to the exit where Dimitri is standing by the wall. They speak quietly and Roman leaves. Did something happen? It sounded serious.
“Are you sure you did the right thing, Nina?” my mother asks.
I turn to face her. “What do you mean?”
“Marrying this man, after just two days.” She looks at me with a mix of exasperation and annoyance. “I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised, you always did things your way, but still.”
I roll my eyes. “This man has a name. And we are crazy about each other. Why wait?”
“I understand why you fell for him. He’s older, rich, sophisticated. Extremely handsome.”
“There you go.” I smile and lean back in my chair. “Your dream finally came true. I thought you would be thrilled.”
“He is in a wheelchair, Nina.”
“Zara!” my father whisper-yells from the other side of the table, and glances at Dimitri standing by the door. “Shut up.”
“Don’t silence me, Samuel. I want the best for my child, and I have the right to be concerned.”
“Keep your concerns to yourself, Mom,” I snap.
She leans forward over the table. “What happened to him? A car accident?”
“Yes.” I toss my napkin on the plate. “He got a serious injury to his leg a few months ago. Does that satisfy your curiosity?”
She grinds her teeth and watches me through narrowed eyes. “Can he walk?”
I stare at my mother. “I just told you. I married him because I’m in love with him. Why would that matter?” I find it concerning how fast and easily that came out of my mouth.
“Why?” She widens her eyes at me and turns to my father. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Did you know about this, Samuel?”
“Zara, for God’s sake, just shut up.”
She ignores my father completely. “Is this some kind of rebellion, Nina? Another one of your phases?”
That’s it. I’ve had enough. I grab my phone from the table, stand up, and head toward the exit, leaving my parents sitting at the table.