After a second he gave up and turned to Elias. “Desta finally knows what it’s like to ride in a car with a real driver.”

I did laugh at that, and used the distraction to get out of said vehicle before I lost it.

I spoke without looking at him. “Zebene has been great. It’s good to see you, Elias. Can I get by?” I hated myself more with every word, but just as I asked, he stepped back and gave me space to get out. Once I was standing by the car, I turned to Zebene. “Thanks for everything. I’ll see you in the morning?”

He shook his head and pointed at Elias. “Unfortunately, you will have to go back to withstanding the poor driving of my friend. I go back to Addis tomorrow.”

Elias let out a laugh, but stopped after he got a good look at my face.

I kept my eyes focused on Zebene. This all felt so fucking wrong, but I didn’t know what else to do. Elias and I couldn’t be a couple. Hell, even being too familiar was inappropriate in like, ten different ways, not to mention potentially dangerous. “Have a good trip then. It’s been great being out with you the past few days.”

I turned to Elias before heading toward to my room. “How’s your dad?”

“He’s better now. Resting at home,” he said cautiously, like he had no clue what to make of the way I was acting. And who could blame him?

“I’m glad he’s better.” And I really was, but I kept walking with my head down.

“How are you?” he asked as he followed me along the path that led to where I was staying. The hotel was more like a cluster of small cottages that were built to look like the traditional houses in the area, so they were scattered around the property. They were outfitted with all the necessary amenities: electricity, comfortable beds, hot water, and a lovely view of the mountains. It was sort of like glamping, and my cottage was at the far end of the property.

“Desta?”

I stopped as I got to my door, still not ready to answer his question. The simple yes that should’ve immediately come out of my mouth was stuck in my throat, and I knew that what would spill out was certainly not the way to go.

“Konjo?” He said it quietly, barely a whisper, and the endearment managed to seriously weaken my defenses. Then I remembered this was nothing but a convenient distraction for me, and a potentially huge problem for him.

I finally looked at him and saw his furrowed brow, the darkness under his eyes. He hadn’t been sleeping. He looked tired. And here I was feeling sorry for myself. Making this all about me. The least I could do was give him an answer.