The Man Ban

by Nicola Marsh

  “What?”

  From his first meeting with them, he could tell they adored Harper. Her dad looked at her like she hung the moon and stars, and her mom was a tigress who’d fight to protect her daughter. Why wouldn’t she tell them something that had obviously affected her so deeply?

  “My diagnosis was at a stressful time for them. They hadn’t been separated long, and I didn’t want to add to their burden of dealing with all that.”

  “That makes you an incredibly caring daughter, but you must’ve been reeling from the diagnosis. Who helped you through it?”

  “Nobody.” Pain glinted in her eyes before she blinked, eradicating it. “I’m one tough chick, in case you haven’t figured that out yet.”

  “You’re amazing.” He placed his cup on the island bench and moved around it to take her into his arms. “But it’s okay for tough chicks to depend on fiancés. That’s one of the unspoken rules of matrimony.”

  She laughed against his chest. “You’re making that up.”

  “Maybe, but it should be written in stone.”

  He loved the peace that enveloped him when he held her like this, like all was right with the world.

  But they had a party to get to.

  “We need to leave in about half an hour,” he said, reluctantly releasing her. “Though I still think you should’ve let me take you ring shopping before the engagement party.”

  “It’s our closest friends, my folks, and your gran. Nobody to impress; we can be ourselves.” She touched his cheek. “Besides, there’s plenty of time to get a ring. I’d rather spend time with you than flash around a five-carat rock on my finger.”

  “Five carats?” He clutched at his chest. “I work in the ER; I’m not a brain surgeon.”

  “Well then, maybe you should introduce me to some of your colleagues—”

  She squealed as he made a lunge for her, allowing him to catch her far too easily.

  “You have a smart mouth, Ms. Ryland.”

  “Haven’t you heard? Smart mouths make for the best kisses,” she said, a moment before proving exactly that.

  57

  No amount of makeup or hairstyling or wearing a killer new dress could’ve prepared Harper for walking into Manny’s grandmother’s house and meeting his beloved Izzy.

  “Isadora Gomes, my dear.” The sprightly old lady with tight gray curls and beady brown eyes held out her hand as if she expected to be greeted like the queen. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Likewise,” Harper said, shaking her hand, unsure whether to kiss her cheek or give her a hug too. Unfortunately, she ended up doing a weird one arm pat on the back that earned a raised eyebrow from Izzy.

  “You can call me Isadora.”

  Harper didn’t want to disagree and appear rude, but calling Manny’s grandmother by her first name felt wrong, so she managed an awkward smile she hoped didn’t look like a grimace.

  “You’re very pretty.” Isadora tilted her head, studying her with an intensity that left Harper squirming. “I can see what my grandson sees in you.”

  “Thank you,” Harper said, hating their stilted, almost clichéd conversation, wishing Manny would stop fussing with the caterers and get in here. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like death warmed up. But don’t tell Manish. He fusses terribly.”

  “It’s sweet that he cares about you so much.”

  “Yes, I am lucky.” Isadora eyed her speculatively. “So, what’s this I hear about you styling food?”

  At last, a subject they may have something in common about. Manny had told her Izzy was a great cook and he’d learned a lot from her.

  “Food is my passion,” Harper said. “When I was young I’d sit with my mom and we’d look at cookbooks together and I loved the pretty pictures. I did okay at school but knew I wanted to do something in hospitality when I finished, so I ended up working with various catering companies while trying to hone my hand at styling.”

  Her enthusiasm caused her to babble, and by Izzy’s beady stare, she had no idea if she’d impressed her or confirmed a less favorable opinion.

  “So you intend on making a career out of this food styling?”

  Izzy made it sound like Harper wanted to dance naked in Federation Square in the heart of Melbourne for a living.

  “I do. When it’s your passion it doesn’t feel like work, and I’ve just done a big job in New Zealand for the magazines to be placed throughout Storr Hotels, so I should get plenty of referrals out of that. And my hours can be flexible, which should fit in well with Manny’s.”

  “Indeed.”

  Uh-oh. Manny may have implied his grandmother was a sweetheart, but Harper found her slightly terrifying.

  Thankfully, Manny reentered the lounge room at that moment, preventing what felt like an incoming interrogation of monstrous proportions.

  “How are my two favorite girls in the world getting along?”

  “Famously,” Isadora said, reaching across to pat Harper’s hand, as she tried not to flinch at the iciness of the older woman’s palm. “Don’t you worry, Manish. We may not have time to talk now, but I intend to grill Harper after the party.”

  Great, something to look forward to. Harper settled for saying, “I’ll be prepared,” and smiling, as Manny looked on fondly.

  She liked that he doted on his grandmother and placed value in family loyalty, but Harper had a feeling Isadora had meant it when she said she was in for a grilling.

  Manny had kept the guest list small—Samira and Rory, Pia and Dev, Nishi and Arun, and her folks—and they all arrived within minutes of one another. Once everyone had drinks in their hands, the catering staff set the food out and left, leaving everyone to help themselves. Casual, just the way she liked it, and she tried her utmost not to criticize the canapé presentation.

  Harper’s head spun as she clung to Manny’s hand, laughing as he regaled everyone about details of his proposal, adding the odd snarky comment of her own, while their friends and family hung on their every word.

  This whole party had a surreal quality, like she was an actress playing a part, the happy woman swept off her feet by the dashing doctor, into a happily-ever-after scenario she’d only ever dreamed about.

  But all through the party Harper felt Isadora’s shrewd gaze on her, assessing and judging. Hopefully not finding her lacking. It took the gloss off what would’ve been a joyous affair otherwise.

  “Girlfriend, I need to steal you for a moment.” Nishi grabbed her arm and tugged. “I go on my honeymoon and come back to this? I need details.”

  Harper smiled. “Let’s duck out to the backyard.”

  She caught Manny’s eye as Nishi dragged her toward the kitchen, and he nodded in understanding, mimicking a chatterbox with his hand. She grinned, loving how in sync they were, even across a crowded room.

  When they slipped out the back door and into the yard, Nishi spun on her. “You and Manny are engaged? I can’t believe it. Tell me everything.”

  “It’s all happened pretty fast.”

  “Fast? Girl, you’ve given me whiplash. Is it true things started up between you two at my wedding?”

  “Sort of.”

  Harper didn’t want to go into details of how she’d paid Manny back for his insulting her food, so she settled for an abbreviated version.

  “We kissed, and I guess it spiraled from there.”

  Nishi snickered and poked her arm. “You’re not telling me everything.”

  She should’ve known Samira or Pia had blabbed.

  “Come on, Harper, this is me. The girl who shared your crush on Gregory Green in year seven, who lied to her mom so we could go to the Royal Melbourne Show together in year nine, who drank way too many margaritas with you when you broke up with that dweeb Colin.”

  “Okay, okay, you’re my best friend, and I’m guessing you a
lready know about the whipped cream incident and you’re sending me on a guilt trip for not telling you myself.”

  Nishi giggled and held up her hand. “Guilty as charged. Sam told me. It’s hilarious. Imagine you two going through something like that and ending up engaged. How cool is that?”

  “Cool or madness,” Harper said dryly, but unable to keep the grin off her face. “And I am mad. Totally crazy about him.”

  “He’s a good guy,” Nishi said, but Harper heard a hint of something in her tone.

  “But?”

  Nishi shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “Hey, you just gave me a lecture about besties sharing everything. What aren’t you telling me?”

  Nishi huffed out a breath. “Look, this means nothing, because we all have pasts, right? And Arun says Manny is one of the good guys. But he’s also got a reputation . . .”

  Considering Manny had been up-front with her about never having been in a serious relationship, Harper had a fair idea what her friend was about to say.

  “A reputation?”

  “As a ladies’ man. He’s dated every nurse, physical therapist, and doctor in the hospital, and never calls them back after one date.” Nishi wrinkled her nose. “I know things are totally different with you, because he’s actually popped the question so he must be absolutely smitten, but Arun was genuinely shocked when he heard the news because he thought Manish would never get married and he’s heard him say it.”

  “People change,” she said, hating the sliver of doubt undermining her joy.

  Harper had finally come to terms with the speed of their engagement, and Manny’s acceptance of her vitiligo last night had solidified what she’d already known in her gut.

  He was the one.

  So why was she letting Nishi rattle her?

  “You’re right: people can change,” Nishi said, with an emphatic nod. “But I just wanted to let you know, because I’d be a shitty friend if I’d heard that and didn’t tell you.”

  “I appreciate your honesty,” Harper said, in sudden need of a reassuring hug from her fiancé. “Shall we head back inside? I think Manny wants to make a speech and wrap things up soon because his gran tires easily.”

  “She seems like a bit of a tyrant,” Nishi said, glancing over her shoulder at the back door as if she expected Isadora to bear down on them at any moment. “I don’t know her well, but my mom knows of her through the community, and while she’s always pushing Manish to get married she’s very picky with his prospective brides.” Nishi laughed. “Maybe that’s why he’s never had more than one date with a girl? And if that’s the case, what’s your magical power?”

  Harper faked a laugh as another shard of foreboding lodged in her doubts. “No magic. I’m irresistible.”

  “I’ve always known that,” Nishi said, slinging an arm across her shoulders. “I’m rapt some smart guy has finally figured it out too.”

  “Thanks, Nish, I’m happy.”

  And she was.

  So why was she allowing her simmering doubts to ruin it?

  Definitely time to find her fiancé. With Manny by her side, she could do anything. Him and her. The dream team. Her motto, she was sticking to it.

  58

  Manny had kept a close eye on Izzy for the last hour, looking for any signs of fatigue. But Izzy seemed to be in her element, perched on her favorite armchair, presiding over his friends and Harper’s parents. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, but he couldn’t shake the feeling he was trying too hard.

  Not in his relationship with Harper; it was a given how he felt about her. But accepting congratulations, getting to know Lydia and Alec better, playing the jovial host felt like a role he’d slipped into, that of a happy groom-to-be. It was the weirdest feeling, like everyone was revolving around him but he wasn’t actually part of the festivities.

  Probably a result of exhaustion, juggling shifts, staying with Izzy, and the long drives between her place and the hospital. But whatever the reason, he didn’t like it.

  “You’re looking a little shell-shocked, my friend.” Arun slapped him on the back. “Don’t worry, happens to the best of us.” His friend’s doting stare landed on Nishi. “When we find the one, we’re powerless to stop the juggernaut.”

  “How did you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Figure out exactly what I was feeling.”

  Arun guffawed. “It’s your expression, man. It’s priceless, and one I’ve seen many times, each morning I looked in the mirror ever since I popped the question.”

  “Why do we do it?”

  “For love of a good woman.”

  Nishi glanced up at that moment, and her expression softened when she saw Arun staring at her across the room. She blew him a kiss, and Manny tried not to gag as one of the most well-respected doctors he knew caught the imaginary kiss in his hand and pressed it to his cheek in a parody of a scene straight out of a rom-com.

  “Man, that is so corny.”

  “Honeymoon period,” Arun said, as if that explained his goofy behavior. “You’ll see.”

  Manny guessed he would, but right now he couldn’t see past today. Heck, he couldn’t even envisage standing at the end of an aisle waiting for Harper, let alone beyond that.

  “Harper’s lovely,” Arun said, “but I’ve got to ask. What made the eternal bachelor boy change his tune?”

  “Everyone changes over time.”

  But not him. He’d stuck to his no-relationship rule for fifteen years now, ever since he’d finished med school, his mom had died, and he’d discovered it was easier to play hard to get than be tied down to one woman.

  So why was he really doing this?

  “I guess you have changed, because the number of times I’ve heard you say you’d never get married over the years is well into the thousands.”

  “I liked to date. Nothing wrong with that.”

  “Until you find the one.”

  Manny struggled not to grimace. Again with “the one” talk. His friend had really turned into a lovestruck schmuck the moment Nishi had slid that gold band on his ring finger.

  But with Arun studying him through narrowed eyes, he had to give his friend something, so he nodded. “Yeah. And for me, that’s Harper.”

  “Well, all I can say is about bloody time.” Arun raised his whiskey glass. “To us and how the mighty have fallen.”

  “To us,” Manny echoed, clinking his glass against Arun’s, grateful when his friend wandered back toward his bride.

  Arun’s congratulations hadn’t settled his funk. If anything, Manny felt more uncertain than ever.

  He’d fallen for Harper.

  He wanted her in his life.

  So why did the thought of being married make him want to loosen his tie, run a finger between his collar and neck, and drag in great lungfuls of air?

  59

  Harper’s parents were the last to leave, and she walked them out to their car. She’d been ecstatic to see their hands glued to each other’s throughout the party, and they’d been absorbed in deep conversation in the few times they weren’t mingling with the other guests. It gladdened her heart and added to the all-round surrealism of the day.

  “We already thanked Manny, but please thank him again for us,” Alec said, slipping an arm around her waist. “You’ve got a good one there, sweetheart.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  Harper was pretty sure she stood taller when next to Manny because he made her feel so good. Even when they weren’t working the room, chatting with their friends, she could feel that all-encompassing gray gaze on her, drawing her to him like a magnet.

  But he’d been edgy today. She’d seen him hovering near his grandmother several times and put it down to worry. And he’d virtually set the whole party up himself, refusing her offer to assist with the food at least, so t
iredness had to have something to do with it.

  She refused to believe it was anything more. He’d been fine this morning at his place, his usual playful self, and she didn’t want her well-buried doubts surfacing when she’d done a good job of submerging them today.

  “You’re radiant,” Lydia said, bracketing her from the other side, so Harper stood between her parents in a comforting embrace. “Being engaged suits you.”

  “I’m happy.”

  Harper meant it. So why couldn’t she shake the niggle that something was going on with Manny?

  The old, paranoid her might blame it on her revelation last night. He’d taken one look at the real her and wanted to bolt. But Manny wasn’t Colin, and he’d done everything in his power to reassure her how attractive he found her. The way he’d kissed all her patches, the way he’d made love to her afterward . . . he couldn’t fake that depth of feeling, and having his acceptance had solidified what she already knew.

  She loved him.

  Wholeheartedly. Unreservedly.

  “I can say this now, but I’ve been worried about you,” Lydia said, as her parents released her. “You pretend to be okay, but I can see something’s worrying you. I put it down to your father and me separating, then your breakup two months later, but whatever it was, I’m glad to see you so happy.”

  Some of that happiness fizzled. Her mom had given her the perfect opening to tell them about her diagnosis. Yet she knew discussing it on a day like today would take some of the gloss off. They’d want to know why she hadn’t told them, what was the treatment, was there a cure . . .

  But she owed them the truth. It didn’t seem right Manny knew and her parents didn’t.

  “I’ll be honest and say you two separating really shook me up, but there was something else I was dealing with in those months after.”

  “What?” her parents asked in unison, then laughed.

  “A few weeks after you guys split, I noticed these weird white patches around my eyes. I didn’t think much of it because I’d developed a bit of a rash after using a new serum a few months earlier and thought it was a result of that. Then I noticed the patches on my body.” She gestured at her torso. “In skinfolds around here. And some on my back, so I went to the doctor.”