We.
“We didn’t know we’d be intruding,” Melinda heard herself respond, a little too sharply.
The woman frowned and moved quickly, her smile – stunning – intended to disarm.
“You must be Melinda,” she said. “Marook’s told me all about you.” The other woman shot a withering glance at Ra’if and shouldered him aside to stand in front of Melinda and Jordan.
“I’m Olivia. Ra’if’s sister-in-law.”
“Oh.” The relief was exquisite. For a fraction of a second, she’d actually thought she’d caught Ra’if in a compromising situation with another woman. But it was his brother’s wife. Melinda found her own smile bubbling from her lips. “You’re Olivia.”
She held out a hand but Olivia ignored it and went in for a hug, kissing Melinda on both cheeks then smiling down at Jordan. “Hello, young man.”
“Hello,” he said curiously.
“I’m sorry to surprise you guys. I’m afraid my husband dispatched me to do some last minute Christmas shopping.” She winked at Melinda. “Such a hardship.”
Melinda nodded. “We really just came to drop this off.” She took the gingerbread house and passed it to Ra’if, not quite meeting his eyes. “We’ll head off.”
“You said we were spending the day,” Jordan complained loudly.
Melinda stared at him with consternation and shook her head.
“There is no need to go. Stay. Please,” Ra’if said quietly.
“Yes, yes, do.” Olivia smiled. “I’m only here for the day and I’d so love to get to know you.”
Melinda was torn. A desire to discover more about Olivia was at war with pique that the day she’d been looking forward to was being invaded. But she felt herself nod, curiosity apparently winning out.
“Good,” Ra’if’s smile encompassed them all. “Come on in.” He stepped back and they moved into the apartment. Jordan went from room to room, his exclamations getting louder and louder until finally his shouts of happiness could be heard from the kitchen.
“What is it?” Melinda murmured, moving quickly through the apartment. Ra’if followed, and curiously, Olivia came behind them.
Jordan was standing in the middle of a bedroom that could only be described as child’s paradise. The walls were painted in murals that showed a variety of Pokémon – the latest kids’ craze. There were boxes of Lego, magnetics, a table that had play dough, a sofa that had an iPad resting on it and a TV on the wall. Not to mention the bar fridge that was stocked with small water bottles and fruit juice boxes.
“Ra’if,” Melinda said, shaking her head, her eyes huge. “This room … wasn’t like this last time I was here.”
He shrugged. “I had it done when I knew you were coming.”
“You had it done for us? For today?”
Olivia watched the hushed conversation with great interest.
“It’s way too much. It’s going to make him want to be here all the time.”
Ra’if dropped his voice lower so that Olivia was just able to catch it. “And what’s wrong with that?”
Melinda looked stunned. As stunned as Olivia felt.
“Well,” Olivia interrupted brightly. “It looks like Jordan has enough to keep himself busy. Why don’t we have some lunch while he plays? I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Melinda.”
Melinda wasn’t at all hungry but she nodded. “Jordie?” She paused at the door, not sure exactly what she wanted to say to her son. “Just … be careful. Don’t … break anything.”
Ra’if sent her a smile that clearly asked her to relax. Once they’d left the room, and the door was shut, he put an arm around Melinda’s waist and pulled her closer. Olivia walked a little ahead, her mind ticking over.
“Your son is very sweet,” she said, reaching into the fridge and pulling a platter of sushi out.
“He is. I got lucky.”