by Mona Shroff
She looked up to find Daniel staring down at her, in awe. “That was Mitch’s dad?”
Annika let out a nervous laugh. “Yes! Mitch spoke to me today!” She was giddy as adrenaline flowed through her body and made her laugh. All reasons to maintain calm and remain distant not only failed her now but seemed to disappear altogether.
Daniel glanced at her, his face beaming with pride. “You did it. Just by being you.”
“Well, I just pointed his mother in the right direction. They did the work.” She couldn’t stop smiling. Annika let out a nervous laugh. “But, yeah, I guess I did.”
Daniel sighed. “I thought for sure I was going to have to punch him.”
“Fists, while useful, are not always necessary.” Annika grinned at him. “Daniel. Why are you here? How are you here? In this building.”
He rested that green gaze on her, and her insides melted. She inhaled to steady herself. Seeing him again was not helping her attempts to get over him.
“Can I take you somewhere? There’s someone I want you to meet.” His voice was soft, intimate.
She should tell him she didn’t want to play games. She should refuse to fall for that intimate tone. She should tell him to go home. Instead, she glanced down at her skirt and ballet flats. “I’m not exactly dressed for the bike.”
“I sold the bike.” Daniel’s gaze never left her face. “Bought a car.”
There was no hiding her surprise.
He grinned at her. “I know, shocking, right? What do you say?”
He looked so hopeful, so eager for her to agree, there was no way Annika could have turned him down. Not to mention she didn’t want to. Being near him again felt like life was being breathed into her, and she didn’t want to leave him if she didn’t have to. She probably would have even straddled the bike in her skirt if it meant being close to him.
“Let’s go.”
He beamed at her and led the way to his car, settling his hand in the small of her back. She probably should have protested on the basis that the gesture was too comfortable, but his touch was warm and secure, so against her better judgment, she simply enjoyed it.
He opened the door to his car—a simple four-door sedan—and she sat down and relaxed into her time with him as if it were a cozy blanket on a cold day. This visit would definitely set her back in her effort to get over him. Right now, though, she didn’t care. She still loved him, and it didn’t seem like that fact was ever going to change.
“How was the rest of the school year?”
“Great. In fact, all the children did really well.”
Silence fell between them.
“How about you? Group must be helping you out—you walked into the school.” No point in pretending she didn’t know.
He nodded. “Not just group. I have a therapist, too.”
She couldn’t hide her surprise. “A therapist and group? You’ll be a new man, Daniel Bliant.”
“Not that new,” he spoke softly.
“Well, I’m really happy for you.”
He side-eyed her as they pulled up to a small house. “Thanks.”
The yard was tidy, and there was a small porch with a swing. On the swing sat a beautiful blonde woman with a bundle in her arms. Annika immediately knew who the woman was and where they were, but she couldn’t imagine why Daniel had brought her here.
Daniel got out of the car and came around to open Annika’s door. He offered his hand, and Annika took it as she got out, but she could not read his face. He waved to the woman, keeping hold of Annika’s hand.
“That’s Sheila.” Daniel’s voice was soft in her ear as he nodded in the direction of the swing.
Annika nodded as she walked with him, though she tried to ignore how good it felt to hold his hand. They approached the porch, and Daniel dropped her hand as he approached Sheila. Sheila stood and held her bundle out to him. Annika’s heart nearly stopped when she realized what was happening.
“Is that a baby?” There was no hiding her smile or her astonishment as she looked from Daniel to Sheila. “Oh—hi, I’m Annika.” She held out her hand to Sheila.
Sheila nodded, a warm smile filling her face. “I know. Nice to finally meet you.” She side-eyed Daniel. “You got him?”
Daniel nodded. Sheila stepped back. “I’ll just be inside.” She squeezed Daniel’s shoulder and went into the house.
Daniel beamed at Annika. “This is Aaron. My godson.” He stepped closer to her so she could see. “This is who I wanted you to meet.”
She covered her mouth with her hands even as joyful tears blurred her vision. “You’re holding Sheila’s baby.” She shook her head. “And you voluntarily walked into that school building.”
“I am. And I did.” He looked at her with a mixture of pride and apprehension as he rocked slightly, keeping the baby calm.
“Wait—did you say godson? As in you agreed to be his godfather?” Her heart rate quickened. He was looking at her with those eyes and that smile and he was bouncing a baby. Was there really anything sexier than that?
“Yes.”
“Oh, Daniel.” She started to throw her arms around him, but stopped, awkwardly freezing mid-almost-hug. “I’m so proud of you—for getting help.” She dropped her arms.
“It was your dad. Came to see me.” His eyes never left her, as if he were afraid she’d run off the first chance she got. “You never said anything. About your other brother.”
“It never seemed like the right moment.”
Daniel nodded in understanding. He held Aaron out toward Annika. “Want to hold him?”
“Thought you’d hog him the whole time.” She held out her arms.
Daniel handed Aaron to her, and Annika tried desperately to ignore how much she was enjoying Daniel’s proximity. Not to mention that she craved him even more when his hand brushed against hers. He did not step back after handing Aaron to her. If anything, he leaned in closer, as if he was trying to look at Aaron. Maybe he was. “Babies look good on you.” His voice was soft, husky, as if he were telling her a secret.
Aaron cooed and wiggled, and she had to admit he felt good in her arms. She felt Daniel’s gaze but could not look up at him. “What’s all this about, Daniel?”
His finger touched the bottom of her chin, tilting her head up, so she had to look at him. “I’m sorry for hurting you. Leaving you in the hospital that day...when Nilay was hurt.” He shook his head, clearly disgusted with himself. “It was selfish. Inexcusable. I’m surprised you’re even here with me now.”
He swallowed hard, studying her face. She was mesmerized by his every movement, his words.
Aaron wiggled, and Annika shifted to get a better hold of him. He let out an adorable gurgle, and Annika looked at the baby, giggling as he made spit bubbles. She turned back to Daniel, only to find him watching her, a vulnerability in his face she’d never seen before. “You decided all on your own that you weren’t enough for me.”
“You know, it was Aaron’s birth that made me realize I could be helped. But it was you—you’re the reason I wanted to be part of life again.”
Annika’s breath caught, but she didn’t really have time to think as Daniel leaned in toward her, his gaze on her lips, and against everything she knew was wise, she tilted her head up to him, her lips finally meeting his, as if they’d been searching for each other forever. His kiss was soft and gentle, a question rather than a statement, and somehow infused with hope. Her whole body relaxed and gave in to him, asking the same question. Aaron gurgled again, startling her away from Daniel, but he stayed put, his laugh still on her lips. He turned his gaze to Aaron but then met her eyes with something like a promise.
“I have never stopped loving you. I know it’s not fair after all this time, after what I did, but I had to tell you—I had to see if you still loved me, too.”
Annika could no
t speak. There was so much to process, so much to feel all at the same time. She needed to think.
Sadness or disappointment flickered in Daniel’s eyes at her silence, but he quickly replaced it with hope and amusement. “That’s a lot for me to lay on you.” He treated her to a smile. “Let me get Aaron back to his mother, and I’ll take you to your car.”
“Yeah, sure.” She handed the baby to Daniel and stepped back. “He’s beautiful.”
The conversation in the car on the way home was easy and comfortable. Almost as if months hadn’t passed. It was as though they decided to pretend that Daniel hadn’t just proclaimed his love for her and she had said nothing.
He pulled up next to her car at the school. She waited a moment, stalling, but couldn’t think of one thing to say to prolong her time with him. She quickly thanked him and got out.
Daniel leaned toward the open window. “See you soon?”
“Yeah, sure.” Wow! Wasn’t she full of words today? One kiss from Daniel and her brain became mush. “I have the wedding—Naya’s getting married. Did you hear?”
“Yes, I heard.”
“So, I have that next week.” She smiled at him, memorizing his face for a moment before turning and getting into her car.
* * *
WEDDING PREPARATIONS TOOK up every single moment she had that she wasn’t teaching. Forget sleeping and eating—Naya was getting married. One would think Annika would be too busy to think about Daniel, but thoughts of him managed to wriggle their way into her mind. Not that she was trying in any real way not to think about him. She hadn’t heard from him, but he was probably doing round-the-clock shifts at the ER and the chopper.
Everyone was up early on the big day—hair and makeup had to be done, after all. Naya had insisted that Annika have hers done as well, even though she wasn’t the bride. Annika finally relented, if for no other reason than to stop the nagging. The hair and makeup artist was incredible, and sure enough, she had Annika feeling like a bride herself.
“You look beautiful!” Naya gushed. “Aren’t you glad I nagged you?”
It did feel nice to be made-up, so she smiled at her cousin and gave the smallest little eye roll. “Fine—yes.” She gave her cousin a once-over. “But you—you make a gorgeous bride.” Naya was decked out in the traditional white sari with the red border. It was decorated with beads and sequins, but Naya had forgone all the traditional gold jewelry and opted for the basics. A simple gold set and bangles and she just glowed.
Annika’s sari was a stunning shade of cobalt blue that complemented her skin. Naya wrapped an arm around Annika’s shoulders and pulled her close. “You’re not so bad yourself. Heard from Daniel yet?”
“No.”
“You could call him.”
“I might, but I’ve been busy getting you ready to be married this week.”
Naya grinned. “I’m getting married!”
“You are! I, for one, never thought it would happen,” Annika teased.
Naya nodded. “You and me both.” She sighed, a slightly dreamy expression in her eyes.
“Well, if I didn’t know better, I’d say we had two brides here today.” Naya’s father burst in without knocking.
Annika and Naya rolled their eyes at each other.
Naya’s father turned to Annika. “The jaan is almost at the door. We need you.”
Annika and Naya squealed like schoolgirls at a middle school dance. Naya’s father covered his ears and gestured to Annika with his head. Annika squeezed her cousin’s hand before following her uncle down to the crowd that had formed in front of the double doors. Annika and her kaka joined the rest of their family and went out together to welcome Ravi.
Ravi was resplendent in his cream sherwani and turban, with a red scarf that matched exactly the shade of red that Naya wore. He was glowing just as much as Naya, and Annika teared up at the happiness that exuded from him. Naya’s mother approached him with the tray of sweets and performed the ceremony of welcome, in the end offering him the chance to leave or stay forever. When he stomped on the small clay pot, shattering it, Ravi chose Naya forever.
Kaka and Kaki escorted Ravi into the building, accompanied by Nilay and Annika’s parents. They walked Ravi to the wedding hall and up to the mandap, where Ravi stopped to remove his shoes.
Annika caught sight of two little girls, distant nieces of hers, hovering around Ravi. Just as his feet slipped off his shoes, two little girls lunged forward, each grabbing a shoe. One of the groomsmen reached for them, but he was too late; the little girls ran off, giggling and taunting the groomsman with their prize. Annika watched the little girls, smiling to herself. She turned, then froze in place as she was met with the most familiar set of green eyes.
Daniel was the groomsman. He was stunning in a cream sherwani similar to Ravi’s, though his scarf was the exact shade of blue as Annika’s sari. He locked eyes with her and smiled as if he attended weddings like this all the time.
He walked toward her in that unassuming, powerful way he had, which she had loved since she’d first seen him that night outside of Phil’s. Annika held back while the families took their seats on either side of the mandap. Daniel stopped in front of her.
“It’s always more fun when they get the shoes,” he whispered before continuing along behind the other groomsmen.
Annika’s heart skipped a beat. If she had fallen in love with him the first time he’d said that, she’d fallen again, and deeper this time. She forced her feet to move. “Nice scarf,” she whispered to him as she made her way back up to Naya. His rumbling chuckle was a welcome, happy sound, and she couldn’t help turning back to watch him.
She took the steps up to her cousin as fast as her sari would allow and entered the bridal suite to a knowing look from Naya.
“He called me,” she blurted out before Annika could speak. “Wanted to know what color you were wearing.”
“Hmm.” Annika could not stop the grin. “Let’s get you married.” In short order, Nilay arrived, informing them that they were ready for the bride, and the wedding was underway.
Annika sat under the mandap next to Naya, while Daniel sat just outside the mandap with the other groomsmen. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He spoke quietly to the other groomsmen around him, acknowledging their input, sending them to tend to things. Every so often, he would chuckle softly, occasionally catching her eye. The jolt of electricity from his eye contact was so wonderful that she didn’t care he’d caught her staring. This was a more relaxed, more jovial version of the man she loved. And yes. It was definitive: she completely loved him.
Naya and Ravi took their four turns around the sacred fire and were now officially husband and wife. Naya glowed, as did Ravi. It was as if they couldn’t believe their luck in having found each other. As part of the wedding party, Annika and Daniel joined them for pictures. The photographer kept putting them together—not that Annika minded having Daniel’s body pressed up against hers. There wasn’t much time for conversation, but Daniel took her hand every chance he could, and Annika willingly laced her fingers with his.
The photographer dismissed them when she had all the shots she needed, and Annika escorted Naya back to the bridal suite to change for the reception. Naya changed into a midriff-baring choli of the deepest burgundy with gold filigree design. Annika’s choli, also midriff baring, was a bit simpler, in a cobalt blue and gold. She touched up Naya’s makeup before taking a look at her own.
“What are you going to do?” Naya asked from behind her.
Annika took down her hair and brushed it out with her fingers, allowing the curls to do as they pleased.
“About Daniel...?” Naya prompted.
She caught her cousin’s eye in the mirror. “I don’t exactly know—whatever feels right, I guess.”
Naya hugged her.
“Come on, let’s get this party started.” Ann
ika grabbed Naya’s hand and they went to rejoin the wedding.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
DANIEL
DANIEL LOOSENED THE bow tie of his tux just a bit. Tuxedos were just not his style. He followed Ravi down to just outside the reception hall. He did an automatic scan for Annika, but she was not standing with Naya.
The bride looked at him. “Caught you looking for her,” Naya smirked.
Daniel inhaled. “Yeah. Well. She’s been busy.” He leaned in to give Naya a hug. “Congratulations. Ravi’s a lucky man.”
Naya smiled, and Daniel could have sworn he saw stars in her eyes. “Thanks.”
Daniel nodded and turned to continue his search for Annika. He really needed to talk to her. Naya grabbed his hand and tugged.
A tuxedoed waiter approached them just then, a tray of champagne in his hands. He paused as Naya took a glass. Daniel shook his head, and the waiter left.
“What? No celebratory drink?” Naya seemed surprised.
“Not anymore.” Daniel looked her in the eye. “It’s for the best.”
Naya nodded.
“What’s up?” He glanced at her hand still on his arm, keeping him there. Apprehension made him a bit cautious.
She leaned close to him and reached up to whisper in his ear. “You know, I’m really glad it was you who was with her that night in the hospital.” She sighed and turned to look him in the eyes. “Don’t let anyone, me included, tell you that you don’t deserve her. You do. She’s a lucky girl.”
Daniel pulled back to see Naya’s eyes glisten with tears, a small smirk on her face.
“What?” She sniffled. “Occasionally, I’m wrong. It happens. However rarely.” She released his hand and gave him a nudge. “Better find her before someone else does.”
Daniel leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Thanks.”
She pushed him away with a smile. “Go now. I want a minute with my new husband.”
“I’ll see you inside,” he murmured to Ravi, and left the newlyweds to await their big introduction.
