Page 71 of Stolen Dreams
I don’t miss the occasional glance in our direction when Adriel scans the crowd. The almost indiscernible tug at one corner of his lips as our eyes connect for a split second. Nor do I miss the small flip of excitement I feel with each glance.
But as fast as the exhilaration hits, it disappears. Then I am met with a heavy dose of guilt. Shame.
Since Sunday night, my relationship with Ray has been in this unbearable limbo. Regardless, the uncertainty of where we stand is a poor excuse to blatantly ogle other men. Especially a man my parents consider a suitor.
Dropping my eyes to the pad of paper on my lap, I listen and take notes. Think of ways to incorporate this new information with how I talk with my students. I keep my head down, avoid eye contact, and don’t engage.
Ray and I may be in this weird place, but we’re still in a relationship. Until we talk and sort our issues, everyone else is off-limits.
Of course, my parents weren’t going to let me leave before introducing me to Adriel.
We shuffle forward in line, a few people in front of us, and Mom talks excitedly with Dad about integrating something with one of her patients after today’s seminar. Like my parents, theconference sparked several ideas on how to approach different matters. I’m grateful my parents invited me to attend and gave me this opportunity.
But now, I’m ready to leave.
Each step in Adriel’s direction spikes my nausea. Heightens my guilt. Makes me question whyIdidn’t reach out once to Ray all week.
When it’s our turn to speak with Adriel, Mom gushes over medical things outside my scope of practice. With a smile on my face, I tune out their conversation. Send a silent wish to the universe to cut their talk short.
“We’d be honored to host you for dinner this evening, Dr. Hitathli,” Mom says, and my attention snaps to her. “Please say you’ll join us.” With a slight twist of her posture, she angles herself toward me and Dad. “Kaya will be there, too.”
His dark eyes flare for a split second, then tip up at the corners as he smiles. “How can I turn down such an invitation? The honor is mine.”
A fresh wave of remorse floods my bloodstream. I step out of the line and walk up the aisle toward the auditorium doors.
I need air and a moment to think.
No doubt my parents will invite most of the family to dinner. A world-renowned doctor over for dinner is bound to excite all the healers in our family. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.
If I need to step away, there will be plenty of others to distract him.
I breathe a little easier when my parents approach, Mom practically glowing.
“Let’s relax at the house before dinner.” She rubs a hand between my shoulder blades. “Give us a little time to digest everything before dinner.”
“Sounds great.” I lean into her side and press a kiss to her temple. “Meet you there.”
“It’s silly to take two cars. You should ride with us,panik.” Mom enters the living room in a sleeveless black dress with a gorgeous turquoise, white, and black pattern in a diagonal cut on the lower half.
Why did she change? Why is she so dressed up? Andwhydo we need to take a car to dinner?
“Ride with you?” I ask, thoroughly confused.
She hooks beaded earrings that match her dress through her ears. “To the restaurant for dinner.”
I cross the room to stand at her side. “We aren’t having dinner at the house?”
A soft chuckle leaves her lips. “No,panik. Didn’t want to overwhelm Dr. Hitathli with our wild bunch.”
Something in me twists, but I shove it down. Push it away to worry over later. “Of course, we can ride together.”
“Lovely.” Mom glances over her shoulder. “Aakuluk, I don’t want to be late.” The term of endearment—dear—rolls off her tongue with love and reverence as she peers down the hallway.
Dad enters the room in all black—slacks, button-down, and suit jacket—and a bone and turquoise-beaded necklace.
A pit forms in my stomach at how formal they are dressed. “Where are we going for dinner?”
Mom ignores me as she fixes Dad’s lapels. Then she loops her arm with his and leads them to the door. I follow in their wake to the car, feeling very underdressed. Dad opens the door for Mom, then for me, and dashes to his side of the car, slipping behind the wheel.