His head tilted. “Reena, I’m sorry.”

“My sister has a diagnosed mental illness, too. But I always felt that my issues weren’t as important or as severe as hers. And, of course, mental illness isn’t exactly openly discussed in this culture. I get through the episodes, usually by keeping very busy. That’s why I started baking bread.”

“So you’re okay now?”

She shrugged. “I dunno. I feel okay, but who knows how I’ll be tomorrow or next week.” She left it unsaid that he was leaving next week. “I called my doctor today. I’m long overdue for a checkup, anyway. I’ve been pushing this under a rug, and I don’t want to do that anymore.”

He smiled softly and took her hand in his and squeezed. “See? Strong. I’m glad you told me.” He pulled her into a deep, hard hug, and she buried her face into his chest.

He leaned back to look at her and kissed her briefly. “I’m still sorry about the contest. I know how much you wanted that course. It would have been good for you.”

She linked her arms around his neck. “It’s fine. Honestly.” It had to be fine. The perfection of this goodbye, their honesty, she couldn’t risk souring it. The memories of the video shoots with him told her one thing loud and clear—she could not, she would not survive another one with this man. His heartfelt speeches about home, food, and belonging. His loving glances at her. The last video’s theme was supposed to be family celebrations. She couldn’t celebrate family with the man who would never be her family.

They had a long, lingering kiss in the hallway in the morning, and Reena finally felt bittersweet about this night. The unfair feeling that the moment couldn’t go on forever mingled with her gratitude for right now. He may not love her the way she loved him, but this meant something to him. Something huge.

“So …” she said, not sure how to leave it.

He laughed. “So, I wish I could stick around with you all day, but I have two meetings I can’t miss. I know it’s my last week of work, but—”

She smiled. “Go. Don’t piss off my dad.” She shoved him gently toward his apartment.

He took two steps backward into his unit. “Will we see each other again?”

She bit her lip. “I don’t … ” She shook her head. “I don’t know if we should.” She smiled sadly as tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t spend the next few days with him without making the goodbye harder. “This has been perfect. Thank you,” she whispered.

He reached out and took her hand. Raising it to his lips, he skimmed the back of her hand with a ghost of a kiss. “No, Reena, thank you. Expect to hear from me soon from Dar es Salaam. Whether you want it or not, you have a new friend in Africa.” He let her go, smiled, and closed the door.