Amira smirked as she leaned close to whisper, “Duncan doesn’t trust him.”

They watched with fascination as Nadim stood taller and puffed his chest out before shooting his hand out for Duncan to shake. It wasn’t much use. Even if Nadim stood on his toes, Duncan would be at least three inches taller and a hell of a lot broader than him. Amira’s boyfriend was huge. “Nadim Remtulla,” Nadim said, his voice weirdly sounding deeper.

Duncan’s eyes narrowed even more as he looked at Nadim’s outstretched hand as if it were a dead salmon.

“Is this a glimpse of the dance for dominance among male members of the species?” Reena whispered to Amira.

“Both fearsome, both protective,” Amira responded. “True, one alpha is clearly a more formidable opponent physically, but in this arena, brawns may not be enough to best cunning wits.”

Reena fell over giggling.

Duncan’s head snapped around to glare at them. “What are you girls going on about?”

Amira smiled as she stood up. “Nothing, sweets.” She walked down the stairs, patted Duncan on the arm briefly before giving Nadim a quick hug. “I’m Amira. Reena’s my best friend in the whole world, and she deserves to be happy. Don’t fuck this up.” She patted Nadim’s shoulder reassuringly before turning and heading toward the front door. “C’mon inside. Duncan made venison chili.”

After dinner, Duncan looked at Nadim, sizing him up again. “You look like a man who likes sports. I’m meeting some buddies to watch the CFL game at my friend’s bar. Come along.”

Nadim looked to Reena, clearly needing her to translate CFL.

“CFL is the Canadian Football League. Football like what North Americans call football, not soccer,” she explained.

Nadim rolled his eyes. “You know, the rest of the world has another meaning of the word football so I don’t get—”

“Nadim,” Reena said as sweetly as she could. “Go with Duncan. He’ll find you good beer and you can get to know each other.”

“Well?” Reena asked once alone with Amira.

“He’s cute in person. Actually, really cute. I love his accent.”

“It’s already sounding more Canadian. I caught him saying ‘for sure’ the other day, and he’s been calling kilometers ‘clicks’ for a while now.” Reena chuckled. “But is that all? Just cute?”

Amira tilted her head a moment. Reena knew her friend—she had a strong opinion about Nadim but, for whatever reason, didn’t want to say it. Maybe to spare Reena’s feelings? “He’s affectionate. And he’s really into you.”

“I know.” Reena smiled.

“And you’re into him, aren’t you?”

“It’s early, but, yeah, I am. More than I have been for anyone in a long time.” She sighed as she put her feet up on Amira’s coffee table. “I just wish it wasn’t so ridiculously complicated.”

“Is it really, though?”

“Of course! I mean, my parents are trying to set me up with him, and his dad’s all like … marry this good girl, and I’m hardly that. Plus, the secrets—”