Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Maisie
My first night not spent at home since a sleepover in the seventh grade and it was as if the apocalypse started and my family couldn’t find me. Waking up in Ravi’s arms, with sore legs, and a permanent smile on my face, I checked my phone. Ten missed calls and over twenty new messages.
What the hell?
All were from Alicia and my grandparents. Was I not a twenty-five-year-old adult?
Ravi stirred from beside me and rolled over, his arms wrapping around my waist and tugging me back towards him. “Don’t leave yet. It’s early.” He moaned.
The time on my phone read seven thirty. It was my day off from the market today, but I couldn’t lie back down without putting them at ease. After a quick text to the family group chat, I tossed my phone aside and scooted next to Ravi, letting him eat me for breakfast.
And that’s exactly what he did.
Over the next week, Ravi and I took a step back and eased into our relationship, starting from square one. Our first date.
Alicia couldn’t stop asking me questions, demanding to know more. My grandpa worried, my grandma was secretly thrilled, and I floated on cloud nine. Permanently.
Allie, Ravi’s sister, caught me sneaking out of his room one morning and insisted we chat over a coffee and muffin. Considering how much help she was in giving me their address, I couldn’t say no.
“I like you, Maisie. I see the way my brother lights up around you. Please don’t break his heart if you can help it.”
I reached out and squeezed her hand. “I would never.” I didn’t speak the words, but the feelings were there. I loved Ravi. I would never hurt him. Now, if only I could work up the courage to tell him.
On the flip side, Alicia caught Ravi and I making out in the market one evening after we closed, our giggles echoing through the empty aisles. She demanded a question-and-answer sesh with Ravi and came away with one sentiment- he was a keeper.
Every free second, which wasn’t many, we spent together, either over meals, cuddles on the couch, getting to know one another, or spending the night making love.
My favorite tidbit I loved learning so far was finding out how we each take our coffee. His black and mine with so much cream and sugar, you could barely taste any coffee, the exact way his sister took hers.
“Your grandparents raised you?” Ravi asked me over dinner one night. It was one of many dates, and I loved learning more about him.
“Yes,” I said around a mouthful of pizza.
“I don’t remember my parents. They dropped my sister and I off on my grandparent’s doorstep when I was two and she was a newborn.
Took off, never heard from again. My grandparents are my world, you know?
They want to retire soon and leave Alicia and I the store. ”
“That’s awesome, Maisie. I’m glad you had your grandparents there to raise you.
They did a pretty damn good job, if you ask me.
” Ravi grinned and took another bite of pepperoni, chewed, and swallowed.
“My mom is kick ass. I see a lot of her in Allie. Our father…not so much. He’s in jail for multiple drug and theft charges. He’s a dangerous man.”
“Wow, I’m so sorry.” I rubbed his hand, running my fingernails along the contours of the back of his hand.
“It’s okay, no sorry needed. It is what it is. But that’s why I’m so protective of Allie. If anything happened to her, I’d never forgive myself.”
“Aw, that must be a hard burden to carry. She’s a strong woman. Seems pretty kick ass to me. Is she complaining?”
“No, not really. But I can tell sometimes. She wants to tell me to fuck off, but she’s too nice.”
“Do you trust her?”
“I trust her. It’s men I don’t trust.”
“I understand. I’m sure Allie does, too. And now you have me. We’ll both look out for her, okay?”
Ravi kissed me long and hard, not carrying who from the diner saw. Our love was on full display now, loud and proud for anyone to see. When he broke away, he smiled against my lips. “I love you, Maisie. Be my girlfriend, my wife, my everything until the end of time.”
“Always, Ravi. Always. I love you so much.”
We kissed again, over and over, until we finally took the pizza to go and left, finishing our make-out session in Ravi’s truck. After several kisses, he drove us along the mountain roads, not stopping until we were far up the mountain. He parked at a lookout, the stars on full display.
We made love in his truck that night, only the two of us beneath the starry sky and moon, something that soon became a common occurrence.
Inside his large truck, we came together as one and left as one.
Ready to conquer anything and everything the world might throw at us all while finding pleasure between us.
Several months later, after many dates, lots of laughs, and a few small hiccups, Ravi got down on one knee on the same lookout and proposed.
“I love you more than life itself, Maisie Grande. Please make me the happiest man on earth and marry me.”
“Of course, Ravi! Of course I’d marry you.” I jumped into his arms, tears streaming down my face, as I kissed him over and over again.
Love really came to those who waited.