CHAPTER 30
Dev
Following five gruelling hours of negotiations over a video call last night, Howard sends the Mascort contract in the morning.
I sign it with both of my parents standing behind me. My mother showers me with kisses and blessings while my dad squeezes my shoulder, tears shimmering in his eyes. Alisha would be here too if she wasn’t busy getting her make-up done. Somehow, she wasn’t pissed at me for stealing just a sliver of her spotlight. Still, I’m determined to make sure she gets all the attention today.
The rest of the morning passes in a blur. Alisha hides away as the baraat begins. The music from the procession is loud enough to be heard from all the way down the street. And then it’s finally time for the wedding day to begin.
I head out of the house to join the guests who have already settled in their seats and greet the ones from the groom’s side that are trickling in. When the groom himself finally arrives, my mother greets him first, and after invoking a few traditions I’ll never understand – like grabbing his nose – she escorts him to the elevated mandap.
The four-post dais is wrapped in red, white and pink roses, and dozens more cascade down from the draped cream silk covering it. Before it are six ornate chairs – two facing the crowd and two on each side. They’re perfectly placed around a spread of items on the red and gold rug. It’s beautiful, just like every other aspect of this weekend.
I scan the growing crowd, which will be two hundred people strong when the ceremony starts, looking for one face in particular.
At the tap on my shoulder, I turn around.
Willow is wearing the deep orange sari I saw hanging up in her room the night I sneaked in, and the colour brings out the warm brown of her skin. She’s standing next to her parents and Oakley, which means I can’t say the things I desperately want to, and I certainly can’t let it show on my face either. No matter how hard it might be, I can’t give us away. Not yet.
I’ve been accused of being a romantic. A sap. But how could I be anything different? I grew up on Bollywood movies with men spinning around in fields of flowers, singing about how the girl they love is more beautiful than every daisy, rose and tulip in the world. How the fuck am I not supposed to tell Willow that she’s brighter than all the stars in the sky? How can I look at her and say you look nice, when I want to scream from a snow-covered mountaintop that just the sound of her voice could raise me from my grave?
And yet I force myself to clear my throat and say, ‘You look nice.’
Her happiness is blinding, like staring into the sun. I don’t want to look away. I’d let her steal the sight from my eyes, the breath from my lungs. I’d let her do her worst and still be eternally grateful.
‘You look all right,’ she jokes before sparing a glance over at her family and remembering our audience. ‘I can’t wait to see Alisha.’
I chuckle. ‘I think you’ll love her grand entrance. Me and the boys get to carry her in like a princess.’ Then I force myself to greet Dr and Mr Williams. ‘Thanks for being here this weekend. I know it’s been pretty overwhelming.’
Dr Williams beams at me. The same dimples that dot her daughter’s cheeks appear in her own. ‘Neha told me to brace myself, but I never could have imagined all this. I’ve loved every second of it, though. Can’t wait for your wedding next.’
The last comment is said teasingly, but I’m already imagining myself under that mandap with Willow.
Slow your fucking roll, my guy.
From the corner of my eye, I see one of Alisha’s bridesmaids leaning out the back door of the house, waving to get my attention.
‘That’s my cue,’ I say to the Williamses with a nod to Oakley. He’s going to help with this part, since he’s practically family. ‘Almost time to escort the bride in. We’ll see the rest of you later.’
Dr Williams gives me a quick hug before shooing us off. But before I turn to go, I lock eyes with Willow.
Tonight. We’re finally telling Oakley.
——
My sister is officially a married woman. Which means that I’ve become the target of all the aunties’ match-making attention.
‘Beta, my friend Sonali has a granddaughter who is a trauma surgeon,’ one of the older women coos. ‘She would make a great wife. She could fix you back up after you crash!’
The women surrounding me cackle, bangles and jewels tinkling as they clap their hands like it’s the funniest thing they’ve ever heard.
The reception has been in full swing for half an hour, and already I’ve faced more offers like that than I can count. It’s going to be a long night if this keeps up.
I extract myself from the group of aunties as smoothly as I can and weave through the crowd of people mingling and eating and dancing, praying I don’t get caught by another woman who wants to set me up. A few people greet me as I go, but thankfully, they let me step out of the giant marquee.
Out in the night air, I draw in a deep breath, relieved to have escaped the direct assault of noise after such an intense day. Thankfully, every detail went smoothly, from the vows to the cocktail hour, and finally, the newlyweds’ grand entrance at the reception. But I need a break.
I’ve caught sight of Willow a few times, though every time I’ve tried to approach her, I’ve been intercepted by someone who wants to talk about my future and romantic prospects. I’ll find her later. How much later, however, remains to be seen.
‘Long day, huh?’ comes from behind me.
I glance over my shoulder and find Reid sauntering my way.
I try to laugh, but the sound that escapes is more of a pained grunt. ‘And it’s not anywhere near being over.’
Reid snagged an invitation to the wedding thanks to my mother, who practically adopted the kid when he and I lived together in Monaco. Every time my parents came to visit, she insisted that it was her duty to make sure he was taken care of, especially once she found out that his mother had passed away years ago and his elderly grandmother was his only remaining family. After that, he was invited to every family vacation and gathering, though he always politely declined. This was one invite he couldn’t turn down, though.
‘Gotta admit,’ Reid says, coming to stand next to me as he looks up at the shimmering fairy lights draped over our heads like a canopy. ‘This is probably the best party I’ve ever been to. Y’all really know how to make a wedding fun.’
‘That we do,’ I agree, clinking my champagne glass against his.
He laughs and sips his drink, watching me thoughtfully. ‘I saw Willow in there taking pictures. She still running your social media?’
I nod but stop myself quickly. ‘Actually, today’s the last day of her contract.’
‘No shit?’ He blinks, brow raised. ‘I’m surprised you’re letting her go. She’s really pulled you back from the brink.’
She most certainly did, and if I could, I’d insist she keep working for me. Working with me. But her reputation is too precious to destroy, and I want her to find the biggest successes in life.
‘I was honestly prepared to bribe her so I could woo her away from you,’ Reid continues. ‘I need someone like her running my social media.’
‘I won’t lie, your image is pretty . . . stuffy,’ I agree as diplomatically as I can.
He sighs, almost defeated. ‘I know. Some days I’m amazed people even remember my name. I’m outscoring Lorenzo in the points, but he overshadows me in every other way.’ He slides me a look from the corner of his eye. ‘Is Willow looking for a new contract, by chance?’
I’m struck by the question. We haven’t really talked about what she’s going to do next, but I assumed she’d return to New York. Then again, if Reid is offering what I think he is . . .
Fuck, could this be the solution to our long-distance problem?
‘Possibly,’ I hedge, my brain already working through how we could make this happen. ‘Let me talk to her, and I’ll let you know.’
Reid’s face lights up, activating his golden boy charm. ‘Tell her I’m all in,’ he insists. ‘If she wants the job, it’s hers. Immediate start date. I’ll call up my lawyer and D’Ambrosi tonight. We can get her the necessary contracts by the morning.’
‘You really don’t waste time, do you?’
He chuckles, lifting his champagne glass in a mock toast. ‘I’ve seen what she’s done for you, and I want that. Not the whole “I’m a lovesick sap” thing, but the other stuff.’
I wince and blow out a breath. ‘You caught on to that?’
Reid’s smile is faint but kind. ‘You look at her like she hung the moon, Dev. Kind of hard to miss.’
Thatis exactly why Willow and I need to talk to Oakley very, very soon. There’s no more hiding this.
‘Let me talk to her about the offer,’ I tell him before downing the rest of my champagne.
He slaps me on the shoulder. ‘Be persuasive. I want her on my team. The winning team.’
‘Yeah, yeah. I’ll do my best, asshole.’
Reid’s laugh follows me back into the crowd. My only goal is to find Willow. Now that I know there’s a chance we can truly be together, to not end up separated in the way we expected, I’m desperate to talk to her about it. But will she go for it?
It’s a big ask. She has a life to return to, and this was never supposed to be more than a temporary job. Her goal when we started working together was to land a position at a much bigger marketing team, so would she be up for a little more of this? Especially if it’s with someone she doesn’t know well?
I finally spot her near the edge of the tent. She’s cradling a fresh jalebi in her hands, and by the time I reach her, it’s gone and she’s got her fingers pressed to her mouth in an attempt to hide her puffed-out cheeks.
‘Hey.’ Fuck, I sound rushed, like what I have on my mind is urgent. But in a way, I guess it is. ‘Can I talk to you? In the house?’
She swallows, her brows knitting together in concern. ‘Everything okay?’
I nod, already turning to guide her away. ‘Everything’s great. Don’t worry. Come on.’
She doesn’t question me. She just trails along as I weave back outside, glancing over my shoulder every few seconds to make sure she’s following. Once we’re away from the tent and on the grass, I slow and offer my arm to her so she doesn’t have trouble if her heels sink into the soil. She accepts without hesitation, letting me lead her into the house.
When we’re alone in the dim back hallway, she slides her hand down from the crook of my arm, her fingertips brushing my wrist, and presses her palm to mine. I spread my fingers reflexively, and when her fingers slot between mine, I curl my own up to keep her hand in place. It’s a perfect fit.
I draw her to a stop between the door to the bathroom and the home’s impressive library. I can’t take another step until I get this off my chest.
‘Dev, what’s going on?’ she asks softly, her eyes locked on mine.
Her face is so pure and full of love that my throat goes tight for a second. ‘I . . .’ I swallow, trying to dislodge the lump. ‘I have kind of a crazy question for you.’
She tilts her head, red-painted lips turning up at the corners. ‘Okay, hit me with it.’
I pull in a steadying breath, hoping the words don’t come out rushed and jumbled. ‘If you could continue working in F1, would you want to?’
A crease appears between her brows, and confusion swims in her eyes. ‘That’s what’s so important?’ When I nod, she nibbles on her bottom lip and averts her gaze a little, like she’s deeply considering her answer. ‘Truthfully? I never thought I’d say this, but . . . yeah. I really love it. It feels . . . right.’
Relief surges through me, and I swear my heart stutters. She wants to stick around. But I want more confirmation before I lay out Reid’s offer. ‘And that’s not just because you love me, right?’
‘That has a little something to do with it,’ she says with a light laugh. ‘But it’s a fascinating industry so I’d love to see more of it.’
When I don’t immediately reply, her amusement fades away, leaving her searching my face and the crease between her brows reappearing. ‘What are you trying to say, Dev?’
This time, I draw my thumb across her brow, erasing the question there. ‘I was just talking to Reid and . . . he told me he needs someone who can make him stand out,’ I explain, trailing my hand down to cup her cheek. ‘He saw what you did for me and wants the same thing. I agreed that you’re the perfect person for the job.’
She drops her shoulders. ‘You’re kidding me.’
‘Not in the slightest.’
Still scrutinizing me like she doesn’t understand what’s going on, she exhales quietly. ‘He really wants me to work for him?’
‘He does. Told me he’d call D’Ambrosi tonight to make it happen.’
The pulse in her neck is fluttering against my wrist, or maybe it’s my own racing. Because if she decides that this won’t work, I don’t know what I’ll do. I can’t let her go now that I know what it feels like to hold and kiss and touch her. How it feels to love her. To be loved by her.
I need her with me. Always. As close as I can get her.
‘Think on it,’ I tell her, shifting closer. I need the contact, especially if she decides that life in New York is what she wants. ‘You don’t have to make a decision right—’
‘I don’t need to think,’ she blurts, covering my hand with hers to drive the words home. ‘I want to do it. At least for the rest of the season. I’m not ready to be done. And I’m . . .’ She takes a shuddering breath. ‘I’m not ready to leave you.’
I’m laughing before I can stop myself. Nothing about this is funny, but I’m so fucking relieved that my body can’t do anything else. I can only let it out in the most natural way it knows how.
‘We’d still have to be cautious,’ she follows up. She’s grinning against my palm, which softens the weight of the words, but she’s right. ‘I think it could work for us, though. And we wouldn’t have to be apart.’
We wouldn’t. I wouldn’t have to give up my sunshine. My guiding star. My heart and soul. ‘I want to kiss you so badly right now,’ I breathe out. I want to seal this agreement with our lips pressed together, with her body moulded to mine.
Her grin turns teasing. ‘You’ll smudge my lipstick.’
‘You can touch it up.’
‘Fine,’ she whispers as I lift my other hand to her face as well. ‘Kiss me, Dev.’
‘Don’t have to ask me twice.’
I dip my head and close my eyes. I don’t need to see to find her kiss. We’re magnets drawn to each other. It’s all inevitable. It’s how it was meant to be.
It’s fate.
But my eyes fly back open when the bathroom door next to us bangs against the wall. We both jerk at the sound, though I don’t pull away from her, my hands still cupping her jaw.
And then Oakley steps into the hall.