Love by Surprise

by Shilpa Mudiganti

  “And you are your mother’s daughter. Confident, straight to the point and...perfect.” Kira smiled wide, and I knew yet another girl had fallen for his easy charm.

  When Tristan’s eyes found me again, the ache I had seen was replaced by a look of resignation about how much things between us had changed.

  “I have something to discuss with you,” he said, pushing his hands in his pockets. “Can we sit for a few minutes?”

  “Um...I have to take Kira to basketball.”

  “Oh I forgot. Coach Matt said there was no practice today,” Kira offered immediately.

  “But I never got notice -”

  “Last-minute change,” she cut me off and ran over to Nisha. Kira had a lot to answer for when we got home. Tristan looked at me expectedly and I sighed and nodded.

  We settled on a nearby couch. Rather, I settled while Tristan chatted with a few people on his way over. I took the opportunity to observe him while his gaze wasn’t on me. In the past ten years he had won two congressional elections and set up an extremely successful, eco-friendly company that sold nature-friendly alternatives to everyday household products . And yet, he looked the same. May be more mature, but his eyes held the same youth and wonder.

  I quickly looked away as he made his way to the couch, and sat next to me.

  “How are you doing?” he asked.

  “Good. Never better. How are you? All set to be elected for another term, Congressman?” He smiled, his brown eyes crinkling on the sides.

  “I...miss home,” he shrugged. “And I’m not running for Congress this year.”

  I raised my brows at that piece of news. I enjoyed politics so much that I had regularly volunteered for Tristan’s father. And when Tristan ran for Congress the first time around, managing his campaign was the most exciting thing I had ever done.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “I want to come back home. I meant it up there when I said I miss pizza,” he said pointing to the stage. “And friends,” he added softly. I ignored the flutters in my belly.

  “So, back to being CEO full time?”

  “About that….” He had that I-am-going-throw-a-curveball-at-you look in his eyes, and I fidgeted in my seat.

  “Do I want to know?”

  He snickered and bent forward to rest his arms on his knees.

  “I was planning to get in touch with you soon, but I was called away back to D.C. I came back d today, and I’m glad I met you here,” he said, his eyes locking with mine. “I need you.” His words sounded as earnest as his gaze. I swallowed. “I’m not going back to being a full-time CEO. I’ve decided to run for Governor, and I need you to be in charge of my campaign.”

  I sucked in a breath and stared at him. Tristan Carter, Governor of New York. I could already see the crowds rallying behind him, if he chose to do it. He was a popular congressman, cheered by the media for his modern vision while loved by crowds for his easy-going style and youthful energy. Instinctively, I started counting the days down to the election and mentally calculating the work that needed to be done. Then I caught myself. This is ridiculous.

  “I can’t. I haven’t held a job in the last ten years since I...got married. And you need someone more experienced for an election like this.”

  “I don’t need experience. I need someone who understands and believes in me. I know the way things ended between was...is painful, but I have moved on.” He looked up at the stage again thoughtfully, then back at me. “I couldn’t think of anyone else who is more perfect for me...for my campaign.” I was sure he didn’t mean perfect for him, but my mind decided to latch on to that phrase.

  “But...I don’t think -”

  “Do you need to talk it over with Karan? Do it if you have to. I can wait but not for too long,” he said.

  Didn't he know?

  “I don’t need to talk to Karan about it,” I said, and I couldn’t ignore the relief I saw in his face. “We are no longer together. We divorced a few months ago.” His perfect features hardened, his hands turning to fists.

  “What did he do?” I was taken aback by his question.

  “Why do you assume he was at fault? I could have been the one who was the troublemaker in the marriage.” He looked at me as if I lost my mind.

  “You’ve been my best friend since kindergarten. And let’s not forget the year that we were more than just friends.” He paused as if trailing the line of blush from my neck to my cheeks. “Sara Jain, you are perfection. If you are divorced, then Karan is a bigger fool than I thought he was.”

  I snorted, quite an unladylike thing to do, but it had been long since a man left me a compliment.

  “Life changes you,” I said.

  His gaze hardened again. “You clearly need to spend more time with people who aren't named Karan.” He took my hand in his, his rough skin on mine leaving an ache in my belly. “You have always believed in me...in us. I cannot imagine doing this election with someone else. Come work for me. Please.”

  I had every reason to turn him down. It had been too long since I had been in the field. And my hands were full with two kids. But those reasons were smoke and mirrors. My real problem would be resisting his smile, and his freely-given heart, which I had cruelly crushed a decade ago.

  I should definitely turn him down. And yet, his simple gaze tore down my defenses one by one.

  He squeezed my hand again.

  “I will have to think about it,” I said, standing up. He smiled as if I had already said yes and took me in his arms again. I tried ignoring how good it felt, how my body folded into his. I felt his thudding heart under my cheek. He kissed my hair lightly.

  “I will wait for you, always,” he said, hoarsely, and turned to leave.

  I watched him go. He excused himself quickly from a couple who approached him, but more people followed him and soon, he had managed to gather a small crowd around him. He attracted people like a moth to a flame. He was the flame that shone so bright.

  What would it be like to help this beautiful man win?

  As if he knew I was watching him, he turned towards me and our gazes locked.

  My decision clicked into place.

  To be continued…

  Sometimes love needs second chances.

  Sara and Tristan’s story continues in

  “Love by Chance”.

  Get it here.

  Afterword

  Dear Reader,

  Your time is precious. So, I greatly appreciate you investing it in reading my book. I hope you enjoyed it. Reader recommendations are crucial to an author's success. If you did enjoy my book, I humbly request you to please leave a review. Even if it's only a line or two, it will make a tremendous difference.

  Thank you again,

  Shilpa

  Acknowledgments

  This book was a hard one to write mostly because Anshi refused to talk to me for a long time. Though when she did decide to tell her story, there was no stopping her. It feels weird to thank a fictional character but really, I am doing this. So, thank you Anshi for deciding to be merciful and letting me tell your story!

  Thanks to my parents who are ever patient when I tell them the book is coming soon. Even though it took two years longer than was initially planned.

  Jessica Martinez, my friend and editor. You inspire me every day and make me a better writer. Thank you for never giving up on me.

  Special mention to my husband and son who understand that for me writing books is as important as feeding them. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

  And thank you, my reader. I write for you. I sincerely hope my books bring you love and joy. Thank you for sticking with me.

  About the Author

  Shilpa Mudiganti believes life is too short to read tragedies. She writes romance and fantasy fiction that always has a happy ending. No matter how hard the circumstances are, the hero and heroine will walk into the sunset holding hands. IT professional by day and dreamer by night, she loves to hear from her readers ab
out their life experiences. There is no inspiration like life.

  Say hello to Shilpa by emailing her or drop her a private message on Instagram.

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