“I think it’s best for Tsehay to talk to Mr. Dawit.” His tone was friendly, but final. He must’ve noticed my reaction because when he spoke again it was softer. “We have to manage those relationships. We should be the ones to go back and make sure everything’s okay with the woreda office.” He came closer and I caught a whiff of the cologne he used, which smelled like the beach. Here I was thinking Sam was unprofessional while I was seriously considering licking a coworker’s neck. “You don’t have to worry about fixing this. Tsehay and her team know what to do.”

“Fair enough,” I conceded, and honestly, as far as dressing-downs went, this was one of the kindest ones I’d gotten.

“Are you going to have the ravioli again?” he asked with humor, clearly done with the conversation.

I decided to let go of my annoyance and take Elias’s lead. “Of course I’m getting the ravioli—it’s insanely delicious and I can get a gigantic bowl for the equivalent of two dollars.”

Elias grinned at my enthusiasm for the pasta dish I ordered every time we ate here. Italy’s influence in Ethiopia was well-reflected in their coffee and cuisine. I’d discovered that many restaurants had at least one pasta dish, and so far they had all been winners. This restaurant in particular had delicious homemade spinach ravioli.

As we got to the second-floor terrace of the hotel and spotted our large table in the back, I looked up at Elias. “I won’t let you shame me into changing my order, Elias!”

He barked out a laugh, already back to being his sunny self, and my heart started trying to beat right out of my chest.

As we got to the table, Tsehay joined in on the teasing. “Eshi, Desta, your ravioli should be here any minute. As soon as the server saw you getting out of the car, he told the cook to start your food.” The rest of the team guffawed at my expense, and I grinned at her ribbing.

“Did he get my drink order too? Because you know I like my half Ambo, half Coca with the ravioli.” My mention of the Ethiopian sparkling water mixed with Coca-Cola drink that Elias had introduced me to got them all going again. In just one week, I’d grown so comfortable with everyone—except for Sam, of course. The whole team was open and kind, and so good at what they did. They cared about the program, the children and families we were working with, and despite the arduous nature of the work, Ethiopia so far had been an amazing experience.