She looked at me like I was the most pitiful thing on earth. “Invite him anyway. Like I said, he sounds like a good fit for this new program I’m hiring for. This could be a good opportunity for him.”

“You’re shameless. Fine, I’ll text him even though he said he’d be busy today.”

She gave me a thumbs-up, already walking off. “Great. See you in the lobby, dear.” She headed into the ladies’ dressing room as I took my phone out of my pocket, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach as I typed a message.

Desta: Hey, what are you up to? Still busy with your mom?

Elias: Hey *smiley face emoji* No, we got back some time ago, just watching TV with my niece. Did you have a nice afternoon?

For some reason, the image of him watching a cartoon movie or something else equally adorable with his niece made me feel all mushy. For all I knew, she was twenty-five years old.

Desta: What are you watching?

I was text flirting now.

Elias: Tangled! LOL After last night I wanted to see it. She’s six, so it did not take a lot of convincing to get her to watch with me.

I was officially obsessed.

Desta: Are you trying to copy my smolder? Because I can tell you right now, it won’t work.

Elias: *wink emoji* I don’t need the smolder to get what I want.

Aaaand I now had an erection… Deep breaths.

Desta: Wow. Someone’s a little too sure of himself.

His response? The kiss emoji.

Desta: So, actually, I was wondering if you were up for coming to dinner with me and my friend.

Elias: Oh? Someone from Aid?

Desta: No, it’s my mom’s friend. It’ll be at her house, but I was telling her about you and she said I should invite you over. She’s making me a full Habesha feast, not sure if you’re up for it??

Elias: Unlike you, I can ALWAYS eat injera. *smiley face emoji* That sounds nice actually, my mom is going to my aunt’s with my sister and I was hoping to get out of having to go too.

My insides flipped over in excitement, which should have concerned me.

Desta: Excellent. We’re at the Marquis now but should be heading to her house soon. She lives in Jacros. I can give you more details once I get them from her.

Elias: I know Jacros, I am not too far actually. Just by Meganagna.

No clue where that was, but great.

Desta: I’ll text you specific directions soon. Does 7:30 work?

Elias: Eshi Desta. See you then. *smiley face*

Oh man, I was nauseous with excitement from a smiley face emoji. It was like I had lost all ability to control my fool head.

Chapter 14