The Secrets of Their Souls Read Online Free Page B

best if she stayed far, far away from him. And for the next few days, that would be easy.
    *
    Zahra scanned the crowded restaurant looking for a familiar set of eyes. She spotted her against the red brick wall and moved in that direction, squeezing between the tightly packed tables.
    “When did The Gallery get so busy?!”
    Maya, her design-school friend, stood and hugged her. “I know, right? Remember the old days when we were the only cool ones in here?” Her arm of bangles jingled as she moved.
    Zahra laughed. “I don’t think we were cool, which is why we were the only ones in here, but anyway—good for them. How are you?”
    Maya was the ultimate modern hippie; a brilliant interior designer who traveled the world, sourcing for pieces with that unique bohemian edge. There was nothing Maya loved more than to get lost in the secluded corners of the globe and then haul back her treasured finds. And Maya was an aficionado when it came to importing—there was nothing too large, too heavy or too fragile for this girl; one way or another she could get it back to New York City. Zahra was more on the reserved side. She liked her glass box and her local designers, but she loved Maya’s stories.
    “I’m fabulous. I’m so glad you called, I’m leaving for Morocco tomorrow morning for three weeks.” She tilted one shoulder forward seductively. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”
    “There is no way I can take leave right now. Jayce Tohmatsu has started and Church Street is in full throttle… I’m lucky to even be at lunch right now.”
    Maya clasped her hands together. “Yes, that’s right—what’s he like?”
    “He’s everything he should not be and he’s nothing like I expected,” Zahra said, shaking the image of him out of her head.
    “That’s what you get for stereotyping people, Zahra.”
    “Yes, yes, Jemma has already reprimanded me for my judgmental behavior, so you can lay off. Anyway, enough about me, what is happening with you?”
    She listened on, fascinated. Their lives were changing, Zahra realized, each one of her friends ready to settle down, thinking about marriage and children—two things that were not high on her list. Her career had always been number one and she’d made many sacrifices for it. She’d watched her parents work extremely hard to give their daughters the best education they could afford and she felt some sense of responsibility to honor that by being successful. But it was more than just that; it was an inner guide, a drive that was relentless, a need to do something impactful in this world and she couldn’t imagine living her life any other way. She wasn’t sure if this would eventually destroy some friendships, not intentionally, but humans do tend to gravitate toward those that they have things in common with. Could two friends with completely different lifestyles and priorities remain close? She wasn’t sure, but she knew that wanting to know what cannot be known was a painful experience. She knew this because she found herself doing it constantly, always asking questions and never having the answers. One day she was going to drive herself crazy if she didn’t learn just to let things be.
    The waitress brought out their meals and Zahra devoured her pasta.
    “Hungry?” Maya laughed, only half way through eating the same dish.
    “Mm, I think I’m going to order something else,” she said, browsing the menu.
    “Jesus, are you pregnant?”
    Zahra put the menu down, rolling her eyes. “Yes, the postman knocked me up. Actually, I’ve been running a lot, trying to get fit…” Another lie. And with each lie it got a little easier, it ate at her a little less. I’m going to turn into a compulsive liar , Zahra realized.
    “Oh, the pregnancy thing would have been so much more fun! I hate running, don’t you get bored?”
    Zahra wished that she did get bored but she was too busy kicking her dreams out of her mind for idleness to set in. Shrugging