Page 43 of Honey Bun

She shook her head. “I doubt that.”

I winked at her. “No, it’s true. Banks didn’t want to lend to me. Joel had warned me. He remembered a life before he was a Norouzi in a way I’d never experienced. I eventually gave in and used my name.”

We were almost at Central Park. She said, “You’d never blend. You’re too wonderful. What did Joel say to get you to accept your position?”

The trees made Maddie’s nearness more palpable. I ignored the beat of my heart as I said, “He told me basically to accept the gifts I was born to and use them for good. So that’s what I try to do.”

She playfully tickled my belly. “Well, my dad said you were the prince of sin and you’d be my ruin.”

Maddie’s dad had told me to never go near her unless I intended to be converted. I’d told him I didn’t mind if she kept her religion, but that answer hadn’t persuaded him. I only said, “I remember your dad.”

She tugged me to walk faster. “He clearly didn’t understand that sin has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with character.”

We made it to our building and headed inside. “So, you’re comparing me to Thor?”

She laughed, which made her more beautiful. The doors of the elevator opened, and she said, “First, I haven’t seen a movie like that in years, and no, I didn’t mention anything to do with Thor. And let’s be honest—I never understood why he was your favorite superhero when there are way cooler ones.”

“Son of a king. I might not be royal, but he was closer to me in spirit.” I hit the button to her floor. “And now, it’s time for you to catch up on all the movies you missed.”

“Perfect.” She bounced on her feet. “Why do you think I’m sticking around? You have all the apps.”

I laughed at that idea. When we were children and certain movies were banned in her house, I’d shown them to her. As the doors opened, I said, “We’ll watch them in order so you can appreciate each one.”

She winked at me. “You’re on.”

The door opened, and my mother stood there, beaming like she’d won some prize. Aurora’s blond hair was in a bun.

“Nice to see you so happy, Mom,” I said.

I closed the door behind us as Maddie asked her daughter, “What happened at the rehearsal?”

“We’re all still learning our lines. I’m terrified of dancing as the gypsy, but at least I don’t have all those lines.”

My mother put her arms around her. “Why are you terrified? You were terrific.”

Aurora blushed, looking like her mother as she stared at both of us. “Dancing was more my mom’s thing than mine, but until the play, I’d never really tried. I’m assuming everyone must have been worse if I was the one chosen, but that doesn’t make me any good.”

Maddie stepped away from me. “You downplay yourself, Aurora. You’ve enjoyed dancing all your life.”

Mother and daughter shared a moment of silence. Then Aurora said, “I was never allowed to learn.”

My mother poured tea for everyone, and I sat down. Maddie took the seat next to me. “I’ll get you a private tutor,” my mother said.

Maddie shook her head. “You don’t have to.”

My mother said, “I do. It’s my reward to my sweet girl for putting herself out there. And I’d like your permission to take Aurora to Broadway tonight so she can see Hamilton.”

I wasn’t sure if this was her plan for me to have time alone with Maddie or not, but knowing I had more time alone with Maddie gave me hope. I would do anything for her and Aurora.

Aurora pouted. ”Please, Mom?”

Maddie gazed at me and then nodded. “That sounds fun.”

My mom said, “And we’d like to go after lunch to get ourselves ready and have a girls’ day.”

I sipped my tea and waited. If Maddie thought this was too much, I would ask my mother to stop.

But Maddie just shrugged. “Sure.”