Page 88 of Stronger Than Fate

“All right, I promise to let you know if I have the opportunity to meet with her.”

“Good,” he said, appearing more relieved.

At that moment his phone rang. He looked at the car display which showed “Niky,” glanced at me and smiled. Then he pressed the button on the steering wheel and his sister’s voice came through loud and clear.

“Hello, big brother.”

“Niky. I’m driving and Dalina is with me.”

“Dali, are you there?” she asked, surprised, and at that moment I remembered that I hadn’t yet told her I was back with Henry.

“Are you doubting my word?” Henry asked.

“I’m here, Niky,” I responded with a smile.

“That means...”

“Exactly what you’re thinking,” Henry confirmed.

“Yesssssssssssssssss!” she exclaimed with a scream that made me laugh and caused Henry to look at me as if his sister had lost her mind.

“Niky, stop screaming like that, you’re going to be responsible for me having an accident.”

“Daliiiiiii, you can’t imagine how incredibly happy I am to know you’re with Henry. You two are made for each other, I have no doubt,” she said, and very uncharacteristically for Henry, he snorted while rolling his eyes, resigned to his sister’s excitement.

“Thank you, Niky,” was all I said, because I had no intention of talking to her in “friend mode” with him present.

“So you’ll come with us to the wedding we have next Friday. Had you already told her, Henry?”

“I see that won’t be necessary now,” he said without looking at me.

“Our cousin is getting married and we’re invited, so you’re coming with us,” Niky said, very enthusiastically.

The fact that Henry hadn’t mentioned it to me yet made me think that perhaps he didn’t want me to accompany him, and I wasn’t going to be offended by that either. We had only resumed our relationship a couple of days ago, and it was understandable since it was a family gathering.

“Thank you for the invitation, Niky, but I’m not sure if I can join you. I’ll confirm during the week.”

Henry turned his face and, for a few seconds, looked at me very seriously, but didn’t say anything.

“I hope you can make it,” Niky said. “Well, I’ll let you go because I’m doing some shopping. Love you both.”

“Niky, you didn’t tell me why you called,” Henry reminded her.

“Ohhh, that’s right. I was so pleasantly surprised about you two that I forgot. I just wanted to tell you that I talked to Mom and she’s having a wonderful time with Aunt Roxi.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Hope to see you both soon.”

“Behave yourself,” Henry said.

“Talk to you later, Niky,” I said goodbye.

When she ended the call, we were pulling into the hotel parking lot. As soon as he parked and turned off the car, he turned, leaning his back against the door, and looked at me seriously. I was about to open the door to get out, but seeing that he had no intention of doing so, I remained seated and looked at him.

“What do you have going on Friday that prevents you from coming with me?”

“I didn’t say no, I said I wasn’t sure yet.”