The Proposal

by Katie Ashley

  Emma laughed. “He’s usually really good around strangers, but I was afraid this might happen with Aidan gone.”

  “He’s just being a good, territorial dog. Since he doesn’t know me, he’s protecting you and the baby.” Pesh tilted his head to the side. “Hmm, let’s see if I can make friends.” He dug his hand into one of the bags. “Let’s see if a piece of Samosa might seal the deal.” He reached out to Beau with the piece of what looked like a tortilla.

  Beau glanced back at her. “It’s okay. You can have it.” Reluctantly, he inched forward and snatched the bread out of Pesh’s hand.

  “What exactly is that?”

  “It’s a wrap of potatoes and spices.”

  “Oh jeez, then he’ll be in heaven. He loves potatoes almost as much as his daddy does.” When she realized what she had said, she couldn’t fight the flush filling her cheeks.

  “So while I get things unpacked, do you want to tell me what happened with you and Aidan?”

  Emma grimaced. “Do I have to?”

  “Not if it’s going to upset you. I would never want to cause you any pain.”

  She groaned. “No, I guess it’s only fair that you know what you’re dealing with.”

  “Or what I’m up against?”

  “I guess,” she murmured.

  “So, you and Aidan were dating, you got pregnant, and he couldn’t commit?” Pesh suggested, as his hand delved into one of the bags.

  Oh God. How could he be further from the truth? “Not exactly.”

  Pesh drew his attention away from the containers he was taking out and looked at Emma. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

  “No, it’s just at the hospital when I said it was a long story, I wasn’t kidding.” After drawing in a deep breath, she proceeded to tell Pesh everything from the start of wanting Connor to father her child to Aidan’s betrayal.

  When she finally finished, Pesh shook his head. “You’re right. That was a really long story.” At his teasing, Emma smacked his arm playfully, and he grinned. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it couldn’t have been easy unburdening yourself of all that pain.”

  Emma cocked her head at him. “Do you always talk so proper—so worldly?”

  “My parents like to say I’m an old soul. I guess that’s why I sound the way I do.”

  “Were you the oldest?”

  Pesh nodded. “Yes, you could say I’m the classic oldest child stereotype. My baby brother…well, he’s a whole other story for another day.”

  Emma laughed as Pesh started pouring out some soup into a bowl. She sniffed appreciatively at the bowl. “Hmm, what’s this?”

  “Rasam or tomato soup.”

  She took a tentative bite. “That’s really good.”

  “I thought you might like it. It’s very healthy too. Good for digestion.”

  Emma laughed. “The restaurant should hire you to do PR for them.”

  “You think?”

  She nodded. “I should know. I mean, I do work in advertising.”

  After taking in a few spoonfuls of the soup, she eyed another container Pesh was opening. At her apprehension, he said, “Just take a bite of the Daal Makhani.” When she gave Pesh a skeptical look, he laughed. “Trust me. It’s good for you. It has a lot of protein and fiber in it.”

  The moment she thrust the spoonful into her mouth she knew she had made a mistake. “That’s hot.”

  “Seriously?”

  She bobbed her head while waving her hand in front of her mouth. “I guess I should have mentioned I’m kinda a wuss when it comes to spicy foods.”

  “Oh, well, then. Why don’t you skip out on that and take the Butter Chicken instead.” Pesh put some orange looking chicken on her plate.

  “So tell me about your family,” Emma said. It was hard to talk considering her tongue was still enflamed.

  “Well, my father came to America with his parents when he was just a teenager. He wanted to leave India behind and become Americanized.” Pesh shook his head. “He even changed his name to Charlie.”

  “Really?”

  Pesh grinned. “Yes, no one I know except my mother and my late grandparents called him by his real name.”

  Emma pushed her fork around the plate, uncertain of what to eat next. “What about your mother?”

  “She’s the reason why I’m not completely Americanized, or have a name like Bill or something.”

  Emma giggled. “I can’t quite see you as a ‘Bill’…William maybe, but definitely not Bill or Billy.”

  “Me either.” Pesh wiped his mouth with his napkin. “She came over to marry my father when she was just eighteen. They had known each other as children, but it was very much an arranged marriage.”

  “Oh,” Emma murmured. She took a tentative bite of the lesser of the spicy evils. “Was your marriage arranged?”

  “No. In fact, Jade was the first non-Indian girl I ever dated.”

  “Was your mom angry?”

  He bobbed his head. “At first. But Jade very much wanted to acclimate herself to my life and my customs. Over the years we dated, she slowly grew on my mother.” He grinned at Emma. “As for my father, the traitor to his culture, the thoughts of a blonde hair, blue eyed daughter-in-law was a dream come true!”

  Emma laughed. “I can only imagine.” When she glanced up from her plate, she saw that Pesh’s expression had turned serious. “What?”

  “I can only imagine he would be thrilled with an auburn haired beauty with sparkling green eyes.”

  Her fork clattered noisily onto the floor. She and Pesh both leaned over to retrieve it, and they ended up bumping heads. “Oomp,” Emma muttered. She brought her hand to her head and rubbed her aching hairline.

  “I’m sorry I upset you,” Pesh said softly.

  “You didn’t upset me. It’s just that…” She nibbled her lip, unsure of how to proceed. “When you say things like that, I feel like I’m leading you on. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “Emma, I am a grown man. I’m fully capable of taking care of myself and my feelings. I’m also well aware of how plain you’ve made your intentions to me.”

  She shook her head. “Then why bother wasting your time on me if I’m all closed off?”

  “That’s the same question one might pose to Aidan. Why should he bother pursing you after what he’s done and how you still feel about him?” He gave her a hesitant smile. “Because you’re worth fighting for.”

  “Oh God,” she moaned. She covered her face with her hands.

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  From behind her hands, she replied, “Oh no. That’s the problem. You never say the wrong thing. Everything you say and do is absolutely wonderful.”

  Pesh laughed. “I’m sorry for confusing you, Emma. I really am.”

  She peeked through her fingers at him. “Really?”

  “Well, I could lie and say yes, but the truth is I’m glad I’m slowly breaking down your walls. I want you to be able to see that whenever you’re ready and if you really want me, I’ll be here.”

  “You would say something like that,” she grumbled.

  Standing up, Pesh stretched his arms over his head. “Okay, I think it’s time for a conversation change and for me to clean up.”

  “Oh no, you don’t have to do that.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of overstepping your hospitality by leaving a mess.”

  “There you go with that worldly talk again,” she remarked.

  He wagged his finger at her. “Okay, so I talk worldly. What’s something unique about you?”

  “Hmm, well…”

  “Oh come on. I know there has to be tons of unique things about you.”

  “Okay then, I’m a singer.”

  His dark eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You are?”

  She nodded and then told Pesh all about growing up singing at her cousin, Gary’s, bar.

  “You sang at bar called ‘Doc’s’?” Pesh asked, the corners of his lips tu
rning up in amusement.

  “Yes, I did. That was Gary’s nickname.”

  “Hmm, I like the irony.”

  When Pesh winked at her, she shook her head. “Okay, so I’m a singer. What’s something else unique about you?”

  Scratching his chin, Pesh said, “Well, I own and fly my own plane.”

  Emma widened her eyes. “You do?”

  “Yep. Actually, it isn’t entirely my own plane. My father and middle brother also have their pilot’s licenses.”

  “Wow, I’ve never been up in a small plane before.”

  “Then I’ll have to take you some time.”

  Emma’s heartbeat fluttered at the insinuation. As if he read her confused thoughts, Pesh grinned. “Are you sure you’re done eating?”

  Considering her stomach was already churning from the mixture of spices and dishes, she knew she couldn’t eat another bite. “I’m good. Thank you.”

  “You won’t mind if I take the left-overs in for the other doctors and nurses?”

  “No, no. Go right ahead.”

  Pesh grinned. “So I didn’t sell you on Indian food, huh?”

  Emma laughed. “I think from now on I better stick with one dish instead of sampling them all.”

  Pesh had just finished cleaning up when his pager went off. “Seriously?” he grumbled.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “They need me in a little early tonight. Full moon has all the crazies coming out I guess.”

  “Really?”

  Pesh glanced up at her and smiled. “Which part? Them needing me to come in or that a full moon really brings out the craziness in people?”

  She giggled. “Both I guess.”

  “Oh yes. Full moon nights in the ER are something out of a horror movie.”

  “Then I’ll keep you in my prayers.”

  “Please do.” He glanced at the bags around him. “I think I’m going to have to make two trips. Be right back.” He grabbed the food bags and his medical bag and headed out the door. Beau started to follow after him.

  “No boy. Come here.”

  He immediately came to Emma’s side. The look he gave her brought a smile to Emma’s lips. “No, I’m not running off with him. Your bed buddy and provider of table scraps is staying put.”

  Beau wagged his tail at her comment. When Pesh came back in the door, Beau stiffened. Pesh eyed him as he came around the couch for the ultrasound machine. “Hmm, guess that Samosa didn’t cement our friendship, huh buddy?”

  Beau proceeded to jump on the couch and lay his head down on Emma’s lap. Pesh laughed good-naturedly. Wagging a finger at Beau, he said, “You take good care of her and the Little Man, okay?”

  Emma smiled. “He will.”

  “Thanks for letting me come over tonight.”

  “No, it’s me who should be saying thanks for the fact you were willing to check on me and for bringing dinner.”

  “It was my pleasure, and one I hope to repeat in the future. But I think I’ll wait until you’re off bed-rest to commence more of my wooing.”

  “Okay, I guess we can do that.”

  Pesh stroked his chin in thought. “Do you like the opera?”

  “Oh, yes, I adore it. I’m a big fan of the cultural arts.”

  After digging his wallet out of his pocket, Pesh produced several tickets. “These are for next week’s performance of Aida. You should be off bed-rest by then. Would you like to go?” At her hesitation, Pesh said, “Just as friends, Emma.”

  She exhaled in relief. “Thank you. I would enjoy that.”

  “Then I look forward to seeing you again next week for our non-date to Aida.”

  “Me too.”

  Pesh grabbed the machine and then leaned over to tenderly kiss Emma’s cheek. Beau raised his head and gave a low growl. “Beau!” Emma admonished. He ducked his head and gave her his best sad hound dog face.

  “I guess that’s my cue to be going.”

  “I’m sorry about him.”

  Pesh shook his head. “Don’t be sorry about anything, Emma. For Beau, for not enjoying dinner…” His face hovered inches above hers. “Most of all, don’t be sorry for what I might’ve made you feel tonight.”

  She stared up at him, unblinking and unmoving. “I won’t.”

  “Good.” He then stood up, and with a final wave, he walked out the door.

  Once they were alone, Beau whined and snuggled up to her. “Oh give me a break, would you? It’s not easy being a big, pregnant ball of hormones!” She then fell back against the pillows and turned on the TV.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  At a little after nine, Beau raised his head and woofed happily. “Hmm, I guess that means Daddy is home?”

  Beau wagged his tail as he raced to the kitchen. The beep of the house alarm alerted her of Aidan coming in the back door. “Hiya, boy. You hold down the fort for me while I was gone?”

  Aidan came into the living room with Beau still yipping at his side. “I sure hope he didn’t do anything embarrassing like pee on you to mark his territory while your date was here.”

  “No, he didn’t,” Emma snapped.

  “Speaking of, how was your date?” Aidan asked, tossing his keys on the table.

  “It wasn’t a date,” she muttered.

  “Excuse me, Miss Testy.” He inhaled sharply. “Ugh, what stinks in here?”

  “Pesh brought Indian food for me to try.” Emma’s stomach rolled at the thought of ever eating again, least of all anything with spices. “Where have you been?” she asked, trying to change the subject.

  “I had me a hot date.”

  Emma jerked her head up to stare at him. She couldn’t stop her eyes from widening in shock or her mouth dropping open. He had been with another woman? After everything he had said to her before he left? Her nausea revved into overdrive at the prospect, and she fought the rising bile in her throat. “Y-You did?”

  He nodded and plopped down on the coffee table. His knees knocked into hers, and she fought the urge to pull away from the closeness of him. He leaned in on his elbows. “Picture this outfit. Cut-off, Daisy Duke’s with the ass cheeks hanging out—”

  “Short shorts? It’s late October!”

  Aidan held up his hands. “I’m not finished.”

  Crossing her hands over her chest, she huffed out a frustrated grunt. “Fine.”

  “Anyway, so like I was saying, there were the Daisy Dukes, cowboy boots, and to top it all off there was the halter top with the bare mid-drift…” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Man, I was looking good!”

  His eyes snapped open, and then he winked at her. Emma stared at him in disbelief. “There wasn’t a girl wearing that…you mean you…”

  Aidan laughed. “I was just teasing you, Em. I went over to Pop’s, and we watched the game. I sure as hell wasn’t out with a woman.”

  The prospect of him being on an actual date had worked her into such an emotional firestorm that along with the relief she felt, she also knew she was going to be sick. She had only a moment to panic about whether or not she would make it to the bathroom before she leaned forward and threw up in Aidan’s lap.

  He gazed from his soiled pants back up to her eyes. “Damn, Em, I know my joke was bad, but did you seriously have to puke on me?”

  Tears of mortification stung her eyes. “I-I…I’m sorry.”

  His expression turned from amusement to compassion when she burst into tears. He reached over and rubbed her arm. “Hey, don’t cry. You’re not the first person to puke on me. I did belong to a fraternity back in the day. Nothing is worse than drunk guy vomit.”

  “I can’t believe you’re being so nice about it,” she sobbed.

  “Well, it’s not like you did it on purpose.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “Did you?”

  “No! I would never do that!”

  He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “I know. I was only teasing you again, Em.”

  “I don’t think the food agreed with me—too many different spi
ces and sauces,” she replied, wiping her nose with the back of her sleeve.

  “Hmm, I think that speaks volumes about the company as well, don’t you?”

  “Aidan,” she warned, her embarrassment fading into anger at his assumptions.

  He cocked his head at her. “Sounds to me like Noah is trying to tell you something. I’m glad the Little Man already has his dad’s back.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ve never eaten Indian food before. It has nothing to do with my feelings or Noah’s. It’s my digestive system speaking, thank you very much,” she snapped.

  Aidan grinned. “Ah, there’s those lovely pregnancy mood swings I love so much.”

  She sniffed in a frustrated breath. “Come on. You need to get cleaned up, and I need to go back to bed.”

  When Aidan stood up, vomit slid down his pants legs. He made a face. “Jeez, I think that’s seriously about to trigger my gag reflex.” His hands went to his button, and he unzipped his pants. He quickly stepped out of them and balled them up. “I better throw these in the washer.”

  Emma leaned forward to get up off the couch just as Aidan turned. Her face grazed across his crotch. At his sharp intake of breath, she jerked back. “Uh-sorry,” she mumbled.

  “This night just keeps getting better and better,” he grumbled. Before he started to the bedroom, he turned back and offered Emma his hand. Her heart kick-started at the small gesture.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Listen, I’ll grab my stuff and hit the shower upstairs so you can have mine.”

  Her hormones went into overdrive. “Aw, that’s so sweet,” she murmured.

  Aidan gave her a playful smirk. “Damn, babe, it doesn’t take much to impress you, does it?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Excuse me for being grateful for your kindness,” she huffed before stalking into the bathroom and slamming the door.

  Aidan poked his head in just as she swept her top off. She squeaked at the sight of him. “Um, you do remember I need to get my shit from in here, right?”

  “Yes, go ahead.”

  Only in her bra, Emma began brushing her teeth. Once Aidan swept up his shampoo and body wash, he leaned to grab his toothbrush before bestowing a kiss on her bare back. Longing shuddered through her. If Aidan realized her reaction, he didn’t say anything. “Now don’t stay on your feet too long.”