13. Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Mira
P ari was playing on the living room floor, and I was cleaning up after dinner when I heard the doorbell. I wiped my hands on a dish towel, my heart doing that little anxious flutter it always did when someone showed up unannounced. I took Pari's hand in mine, and we tentatively walked to the front door. I wasn't expecting anyone. Beau hadn't mentioned anyone coming, either.
"Hey." Nova gave me a quick hug and picked up Pari, who leaped with joy when she saw one of her favorite people. In the past weeks, Nova had been Beau's only family member who had become my friend. She was full of energy, and I really liked how open she was. Also, she was only a few years older than me, and yet, she'd achieved so much. I looked up to her.
I'd met her fiancé a few times. Anson Larue was quieter than Nova, but the two of them gelled really well together. I could see the love between them—anyone could; it was mesmerizing. Nova had told me that they'd fallen in love when she was young, and had reconnected a year ago. Now, they were stronger than ever as a couple.
Pari grabbed Nova's hand and dragged her to the living room. "I made a castle." She pointed at a Duplo block fortress she was building.
"Look at you, sweetie, building an empire over here!" Nova sat on the floor next to Pari. That was one of the things about Nova that I had felt; she could brighten up a room without trying, like she was born with some natural charm that pulled you in. Anson stood in the doorway, his hands casually in his pockets, giving me a small nod.
"Hope we're not interrupting anything," Anson said, his voice smooth and warm.
"Not at all. But Beau isn't here. He's out…actually, he said that maybe you all would be there with him." I bit my lip. Had Beau lied to me? Was he out with Fallon or some other woman?
"We came by to offer our babysitting services for the evening. Give you a break so you can go downtown and have some fun," Anson smiled.
I blinked, not sure I'd heard him right. "A break?"
Nova turned, her eyebrows raised as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Yeah! A break. Beau was wondering about getting a babysitter so you could go out with us…and we thought we'd be the babysitters."
My immediate reaction was to laugh it off, the way I always did when someone suggested I take time for myself. "Oh, no, that's really nice of you guys, but I—"
Nova cut me off, waving her hand like she wasn't about to let me finish that sentence. "Mira, when was the last time you went out? Like, actually out…alone…with someone who isn't pint-sized? Wore something that didn't have food stains on it?"
I looked down at my jeans and T-shirt, and winced. There was a tomato sauce smear on my shirt, and a chocolate one on my pants.
I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. I couldn't remember the last time I'd gone out like I used to, back when I first left my parents' home and started building a life of my own. Between taking care of Asha, then Pari, and now trying to navigate this new chapter, I hadn't had any time for… me. I'd become so used to looking after others that the idea of someone looking after me felt strange. Indulgent, even.
"You deserve it," Nova added, her voice softening. "You've been doing everything for everyone else for a long time now."
I glanced at Anson, who was smiling patiently, clearly in on whatever plan Nova had cooked up. He nodded toward the door. "My driver's ready to take you downtown. We'll stay here with Pari, and when you get back, we'll head home. Think of it as doing us a favor by allowing us to practice for when we have kids someday."
"She needs a bath, and there is bedtime…." I couldn't possibly leave someone else to handle that with Pari, could I? I hadn't even let Beau do it on his own.
"I've seen you put her to bed. And I think, between Anson and I, we can bathe Pari. What do you say, little Angel, you wanna have some fun with Anson and me?" Nova cuddled my niece, who grinned.
Anson joined Pari and Nova on the floor and, immediately, Pari crawled onto him. She was a friendly child—and if you showed her affection, she gave it right back, double.
She poked Anson's nose, and he indulged her by saying, " Ding dong ."
"You now a doorbell." Pari clapped.
Nova leaned into her fiancé and looked at Pari. Anson put an arm around her, holding both of them.
I couldn't help but smile. The love between them was palpable—and effortless. The kind of love you don't see in the movies, but in the small moments, like when Anson tucked a loose strand of Nova's hair behind her ear, or the way she looked up at him like he was the only person in the room. They were solid, and it was hard not to admire that.
Nova left Pari with Anson and came to me. "Come on, Mira. Live a little. Beau's out with everyone at—" she paused, pulling her phone out to check a message, "Oh, here it is—The Peregrine."
I'd heard of the restaurant; it was one of those trendy places in downtown Savannah that I'd read about when I started to look for jobs in the food sector on Beau's computer. I'd never been, of course. It wasn't exactly in my budget or even on my radar with how my life was.
"I can't just leave," I said, still trying to resist the idea. "What if—"
Nova gently grasped my shoulders, turning me to face the hallway, and began to push me toward my room. "Pari is in good hands. Take a night on us."
I wasn't sure. Should I get permission from Beau? After all, Pari was his daughter, and I was…a babysitter? A nanny? Who the hell was I?
"Beau asked us if we could babysit, Mira. I told him we could, but he then told us that you'd decided to stay home," Anson explained as if he could read my thoughts. "He'll be fine with us here. He thinks you need some time off, too."
I stared at him blankly, and for a moment, I felt something stir deep inside me—something I hadn't felt in a long time. The idea of going out, of being around people, maybe even letting myself have fun…scared me a little. But it also excited me in a way I hadn't expected.
Nova saw the change in my face before I even said anything. "That's the spirit! Let's get you dressed up."
"Wait, dressed up?" I asked, feeling a little panicked now. "I don't have anything to wear."
This wasn't hyperbole. I really didn't. I went from my parents' home to a life that required me to work long hours in a kitchen. I didn't need fancy clothes, and I didn't have any.
"Which is why I brought something for you." She pointed to the bag that seemed to have magically appeared by the door, which I assumed Anson had been carrying.
As I went into my room, I heard Anson chuckle, already making himself at home with Pari, who was telling him all about her elaborate block kingdom.
"Come on, honey, we're goin' to dress you up, and you're goin' to knock Beau's socks off."
I froze. "What?"
There will be no knocking off of socks!
Nova closed my bedroom door behind us. "What? You think we can't see what's happenin' between you two?"
"Nothing is happening." First Roxy and now Nova. Was everyone able to see how attracted I was to him? "He's with Fallon."
Nova waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense. She's a friend…well, she's a bitch, but he thinks she's a friend. He treats her like one."
"She hates me."
"She's jealous of you." Nova pulled out a black dress, and I gaped at it.
"Nova, really, I don't—" I started.
"Don't even think about bailing," she cut me off. "We're doing this. Let me work my magic."
Nova dressed like she was from the fifties—with flowers in her hair, clothes that accentuated her curves, and shoes that were so wonderfully vintage.
I laughed despite myself. Nova's energy was contagious, and I could already feel the edge of my reluctance fade. Maybe she was right. Perhaps I did need this.
She held up the black dress. "It doesn't fit me anymore—I'm not a size six these days. But it's perfect for you."
I eyed the dress, feeling a little unsure. "It's...kind of posh ."
"Pish-posh," Nova laughed, pushing the outfit into my hands. "You'll look amazing. Trust me."
I hesitated, but then I caught sight of myself in the mirror—a tired woman who hadn't done anything for herself in far too long—and I realized something. I missed feeling like me. Since I left my parents' house and before Asha fell sick, I'd been living a little. I dated. I went out with friends. I used to have fun. That felt like a million years ago.
"Okay." A small smile crept onto my face. "Let's do this."
Nova clapped, practically bouncing on her feet. "Yes!"
She zipped up the dress, fixed my hair, and even did my makeup with cosmetics she'd brought along, as she knew how little I had. Since Asha, I'd had other things to spend money on, like clothes, food, shoes…basics for Pari. I was fine with a ChapStick and moisturizer.
But as Nova transformed me from a tired single mother to a twenty-two-year-old, I started to feel lighter.
Nova stepped back, admiring her work with a grin that said she knew she'd nailed it. I turned to the mirror in the bathroom, almost afraid to look at first. My reflection wasn't what I'd expected—it wasn't the Mira I'd been seeing for years now.
The black dress was elegant, simple, and striking. Its soft, flowing fabric skimmed over my body in all the right places, emphasizing my waist without being tight. The neckline dipped just low enough to feel a little daring but still tasteful. The sleeves were delicate, hitting just above my elbows, and the length grazed my knees. It was perfect—classy but not over the top. It was exactly what I'd pick for myself if I had the funds.
Nova swept my hair up into a loose, effortless bun with a few strands framing my face. It was sophisticated but casual like I hadn't tried too hard, though we both knew Nova had put effort into every little detail. My makeup was subtle—just enough to enhance what was already there. A light sweep of bronzer on my cheeks, a touch of eyeliner, and a soft red tint on my lips. Since Nova was half black and half white, her skin tones were similar to my Indian ones, so she had the right shade of makeup for me.
When she was done, the one aspect of my face that struck me the hardest were my eyes. They looked brighter, more awake. I didn't look tired. I didn't look like someone who'd been drowning under responsibilities I was barely able to live up to.
Nova came up behind me, her grin widening as she caught my expression in the mirror.
"What do you think?"
"I…I look nice." I couldn't believe the transformation.
"Nice? A cup of tea is nice. You, my dear, are lethal." She sounded more than a little pleased with herself. "I told you this dress was perfect. Look at you."
I let out a nervous laugh, and twirled in front of the mirror. "I don't even recognize myself."
"You're still you." Nova gave me a playful nudge, and then her tone became serious. "You're not just Mira the mom, or Mira the caretaker. You're Mira, a gorgeous woman. You're allowed to feel beautiful, and to enjoy yourself."
I swallowed. She was right. I'd forgotten what it felt like to be anything other than a caregiver to, first Asha, and now Pari. My reflection looked like someone who had a life beyond diapers, bills, and sleepless nights.
I looked, for lack of a better word, free .
"Are you sure this isn't too much?" I asked, biting my lip. I felt a little exposed. Usually, I was in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. "Do I look like I'm trying too hard?"
Nova rolled her eyes. "Mira, trust me. This is perfect. You're going out, having fun, and you deserve to look like this. Beau won't know what hit him."
I tensed at the mention of Beau, my stomach knotting the way it always did when he crossed my mind. Would he even notice me? Or would I fade into the background next to the Fallons of the world?
It wasn't just that I was going to see him in a social setting—it was how things were between us. The tension, the unspoken feelings, the pull that I couldn't quite understand and couldn't seem to resist, either.
"I don't know if this is a good idea," I muttered, tugging at the hem of the dress. "Going out with him and his friends... I'm not sure I belong there."
What if they were like Fallon and Donna? What would I do then?
Nova raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Of course, you belong. You've taken care of Beau's kid, kept your life together, and you're standing here, looking like a damn goddess in this dress. If anyone belongs out there tonight, it's you."
Her words gave me a little boost, just enough to silence that nagging voice in my head that kept telling me I didn't fit. That I wasn't good enough for Beau's world. I looked at myself in the mirror again, letting that version of me sink in.
I smiled a little. "Okay. Okay. You win."
Nova clapped her hands together, satisfied. "Damn right, I do. Now, let's get you outta here before you chicken out."
She handed me a black clutch.
"I can't take this." It looked designer.
"Please, I'm not Beau or Anson, I'm like you, grew up with fuckin' nothing. I bought this at TJ Maxx."
How could I tell her that I grew up a little like Beau and Anson? Not that wealthy, but way above upper middle class. In any case, that story was not something I was prepared to share with anyone. With Asha gone, there was no one else outside of our parents who knew our family's dirty secrets, and I'd keep it that way. Pari would never see that kind of horror. I'd protect her from it all, even the truth about Asha's and my childhood. It was something Asha and I had decided, even before Pari was born. We'd stand guard and give our lives, if needed, for this child to never know.
"Get out of your head, honey," Nova said softly.
I picked up the purse she'd given me, and glanced one more time at my reflection. I felt something shift inside me. Maybe I could leave the past behind, truly behind, and not just pretend I didn't remember. Beau wasn't just a chance for Pari , he could be my chance to be happy, and why shouldn't I grab that with both hands?
Nova linked her arm through mine as we headed out the door. "Ready?"
I nodded, my heart racing but steadying with each step. "Yeah," I said quietly, my smile growing. "I think I am."