I shake my head. “I love you. Why would I say no?”
He chuckles. “I’m difficult, I’m moody, and I’m many other things that aren’t very good. I thought those many things might be too much for you. And after what you walked into … well, I thought you might say no.”
“You may be all that, Siva, but you’re all of it and mine,” I tell him honestly. He laughs once more before lifting me from the ground and kissing me.
He puts me down and opens the box. “Oh, it’s beautiful, Siva,” I gasp, taking in the ring.
He slips it onto my finger. “It was my mom’s,” he tells me and then kisses the ring.
It’s a marquise cut sapphire with diamonds running down the band. The top diamonds branch off from the ring and cradle the sapphire.
I wrap my arms around Siva’s neck and kiss him. I can’t get enough of his lips at the moment. “I love you,” I sigh dreamily. This feels like a dream, to be honest.
“I love you, my future wife,” he murmurs and kisses me once more.
Siva holds my hand and his fingers keep playing with the ring now residing proudly on my finger. The whole thing seems so surreal.
“Did you really propose to me?” I ask as he turns down the street leading to the garage of his flat. I feel like I’m dreaming. Never in a million years did I ever think Siva would ask me to marry him. And after only knowing each other for six or so months and dating even less? I think I must have been transported to some parallel universe.
Siva chuckles and squeezes my hand. “Yes, I’m pretty sure I did.”
“Wow,” I breathe.
“Wow,” he seconds.
He turns into the garage. “Are you … having doubts?”
“No,” I say with a laugh. “Just making sure this is real.”
“You weren’t sure?” He quirks a brow.
“No, I wasn’t. I didn’t really think you were the tied down, marrying type,” I explain.
He puts the car in park. Siva sighs and rubs his face. “I wasn’t until I met you. Now I find myself wanting things I never wanted before. It’s strange for me. But now I want nothing more than for you to be my wife,” he tells me. He laughs to himself and plays with my hand. “You know … I still can’t believe you had to see that.”
“When I walked in on you and Alexa?” I ask.
“Yes,” he sighs. “I was horror stricken to say the least. I thought I was going to lose you over something so stupid. I was … angry. Angrier than I’ve ever been in my entire life and I’ve been angry many times. My anger scared Alexa. I fired her and screamed at her and frankly? I wanted to put my hands around her throat and strangle her. My behavior was unforgivable.” He chuckles. “Jacob came back and found me. I had made quite a mess of the place by then. He helped me up and then punched me. Punched me!” Siva laughs. “I fell down on my arse and he pointed his finger at me. ‘Sloane is a nice woman. A nice woman who is in love with you for some unknown reason. I don’t know what you were doing with that woman but you need to get off your sorry arse and find her and explain. Do it now, you no good piece of shit.’”
“Sounds harsh,” I say with a laugh. I’m surprised Siva didn’t fire Jacob for such a comment and the punch. But I know Jacob is his friend before business.
“Far from it. It was just what I needed. I went to the airport to find you but instead you found me. I hoped you’d understand and believe me. And you said you did but I knew you needed some cooling off time and I knew there was no way I could propose to you after. I knew I had to wait until you came back and I knew for sure where we stood.” His hand comes up to cup my cheek. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I loved you sooner.”
“You’ve told me now.” I say. “And besides, I should have told you too. I didn’t want to scare you.”
“Scare me?” he chuckles.
“I was under the impression you were a commitment-phobe.”
“Right,” he says with a small laugh. “I see why you didn’t.” He opens the car door but then stops and turns to look at me. “I want you to know I understand I have a lot to make up for in my life and I’m trying.”
“I know you are,” I say and get out of the car.
His fingers entwine with mine and he presses the elevator button. “I will be good enough for you,” he vows.
I smiled at him. “You already are.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I’m not. But I will be.”
I decide to let it drop. I don’t feel like arguing with him. After all, we got engaged, I don’t want anything to sour my mood.
“Should we tell my mom?” I ask as the elevator rises.
He winces. “She doesn’t even know me.”
I grin. “She’ll have to know you now.” The elevator doors slide open and I drag Siva into the family room where I left my laptop. “I showed her how to work the video chat while I was home. I hope she remembers,” I say, powering it up.
Siva flops on the couch like a sullen child. “What if she doesn’t like me? I’m not exactly prince charming,” he groans and rubs his eyes.
“I’m the one who’s marrying you, not my mother, so I have to like you, not her. And you are prince charming, my prince charming,” I tell him and squeeze his hand. “Don’t worry,” I say.
The green light is on, indicating my mom is logged on, so I hit the button to request a chat. A moment later my fussing mother appears on the screen.
“This thing is for the birds. My goodness, how do you work this thing? Oh—” she says noticing Siva and me. “It works.”
I laugh while Siva squeezes my hand in a death grip. I’m quickly losing the circulation. “Hey, Mom, this is Siva,” I say and point at him, though it’s obvious who it is since I did show her a picture.
“He’s a keeper.” She winks.
“Moooom!” I scold, mortified.
“Ello’,” chimes Siva. “It’s nice to meet you even if it is through a computer.”
My mom giggles like a catholic school girl. “You must come visit.”
“Of course,” he says charmingly. “And I will arrange for you to visit us sometime soon. I’m sure Sloane will need your help.” He looks at me significantly. I gulp. I thought I was ready to tell her but now I’m not so sure.
“With what? What do you need help with, Sloanie?”
“Sloanie?” Siva chuckles at the nickname. I narrow my eyes at him.
“What is it?” she prompts.
I hold up my left hand. The sapphire and diamonds sparkle in the light.
“Oh, my God,” my mom gasps and literally falls out of her chair.
“Mom? Mom!” I call, getting worried.
“I’m okay,” she blurts out and her hand appears on the screen as she climbs back into the kitchen chair. “You gave me quite a shock. I wasn’t expecting that. Engaged?” she pants.
“Yes.” I look at Siva.
“Wow, it’s … sudden,” she says hesitantly.
“When you know you … know.”
“Well, I’m happy for you,” she says and gives me a weak smile. “Have you set a date?”
“No,” I say strongly. “This happened a little while ago.”
“Oh.” She sounds relieved. “Keep me posted, sweetie. I have to go. I love you. Congratulations. Oh, and it was nice to meet you, Siva.”
“Love you too,” I say. Siva waves and then she clicks off. “That was odd.” I turn to Siva.
He rubs my shoulder. “She’s shocked is all. We haven’t been dating long,” he reasons.
He’s right, but I’m still not so sure.
“That must be it,” I murmur.
***
“Grannie!” calls Mae. “You have to see Sloane’s ring! Looks like boyfriend decided to make things permanent,” she says, twisting my hand so the sapphire sparkles in the different light.
Alice hobbles in. “What is it, child?” She squints.
Mae drags me by my hand toward Alice. “Look, Grannie! Sloane got engaged last night!”
Alice peeps at me. Her gray hair is pulled back in a strict bun that makes her look like a ballet teacher or maybe a headmistress of a boarding school. I don’t know how she has enough hair to manage it, but somehow she makes her wisps look elegant.
“Engaged? Then what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be celebrating?”
I laugh. “I have to work.”
“Right,” Alice nods in agreement, “good girl. It’s a beautiful ring,” she adds.
“Thank you.”
Alice shuffles on to the back.
Mae sighs and looks at me. “Grannie thinks I need to get married. But I’m only nineteen. I mean come on, let me live a little before I’m stuck with one penis for the rest of my life.”
“I’m going to die soon!” calls Alice from the back. She must have super sonic hearing like a bat. “I’d like the chance to meet my great-great-grandchild before I go.”
Mae laughs. “See,” she says as she points to the back office, “what I have to deal with? It’s ridiculous.” She tilts her head toward the back and yells, “Besides, you’re going to live forever, that’s what happens when even the devil doesn’t want your soul.”
I hear a hiss and it’s not Ruby, so I’m pretty sure it’s Alice who makes the sound. “You know you love me!” calls Alice.
Mae rolls her eyes at me. “Half the time she acts like she can’t hear when one hundred percent of the time she hears everything.” She sighs and taps her fingers against the counter.
“Get to work, Mae, and stop flapping your lips!” Alice scolds loudly.
Mae throws her hands up in a helpless gesture. “Yes, Grannie!”
Mae goes off to organize a shelf of books while I shake my head. Their easy banter is uplifting. They act more like mother and daughter than great-grandmother and great-grandchild.
From across the room Mae shelves a book and says, “I can’t believe you’re marrying Siva Kapur. I thought he was some kind of a playboy to be honest.”
I sigh. “I can’t either. But … he’s so different now than when I first met him.”
“How so?” she asks curiously, pulling her bubblegum pink hair up off her neck and then letting it drop.
“Less angry,” I supply. “He smiles more, laughs, acts like an actual person. He seems happy now,” I add.
Mae smiles. “I hope you guys are happy and stay happy.”
“I do too.”
***
I walk around the corner from Callahan’s Books to a little café. I called Lyndi last night to see if she could meet me for lunch.
“Sloane!” she calls from a corner table. I wind my way through and plop down at the table. “Long time no see,” she jokes.
I smile at her. “Has April found my replacement yet?”
“No,” she says. “It’s been a day. I doubt she’s going to find an adequate replacement in twenty-four hours.”
I laugh. “You’re right. Though stranger things have happened.”
Like me getting engaged.
A waiter comes by and we order our drinks and a sandwich.
“So …” prompts Lyndi. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t invite me to lunch because you missed my pretty face that much.” She bats her lashes. “So, what’s up?”
I place my left hand on the table. She doesn’t catch the hint so I pretend to mess with my hair. Her eyes zero in on the ring and get as large as saucers.
“Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my god!” she screams in the middle of the restaurant. She jumps out of her seat and hugs me. “Sloane! Congrats! The invisible man put a ring on it!”
“He did,” I agree with a smile. I can’t seem to stop smiling.
“I can’t believe it,” she breathes in shock, sitting back down. “I will be a bridesmaid, right?” she asks in a warning tone.
“Of course,” I say to her. There’s no way I’m telling this spitfire no.
That is if we don’t elope first. I never was the big poufy dress type.
“Are you excited?”
“I don’t know. I’m still kind of shocked. I wasn’t expecting it, you know? So I’m still getting used to the idea of it. But it feels right.”
Lyndi laughs. “No, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never dated a crazy guy before.”
I narrow my eyes at the pretty red head. “He’s not crazy.”
Lyndi sighs dramatically. “Oh, Sloane. When will you learn to take a joke? You’re too defensive.” She sips her water.
“You … you don’t know him. I don’t like it when you say stuff like that.” I shrug and run my fingers through my hair.
Lyndi draws a finely manicured finger across her lips in a zipping motion. “Okay, I promise to be on my best behavior.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, feeling a little sour now.
“I’ll even help you go dress shopping.” She winks playfully.
I laugh. “That would be much appreciated.” I’ll definitely need the help. I can’t imagine ever picking out a wedding dress on my own. It would be impossible to decide.
“I’m thinking big, poufy, Southern debutant gown,” she jokes. “You should look like a princess. Like Cinderella or something.”
“Nope, no way,” I say adamantly, shaking my head with a laugh. I make a nixing motion with my hand. I know that kind of dress is not me.
“Aw fine,” she laughs.
We eat our lunch and hug goodbye.
“Thanks for being such a great friend,” I tell her honestly. We haven’t known each other long, but we clicked from the beginning and now I can’t imagine not having her in my life.
She smiles widely. “Thanks for letting me be your friend.”
She turns in the direction of Avid News and I head for Callahan’s Books with a smile on my face. Six months ago I was at one of the lowest points of my life. Thing after bad thing kept happening and I was certain it would never get better. But here we are.
I guess everything always works out in the end, even if we can’t see it in the beginning.
Six months later
“Oh, Sloanie, you look beautiful,” my mom says, dabbing tears from her eyes.
“Don’t cry Mom,” I plead, trying not to cry myself. If she starts crying, I’ll start crying and it’ll be a disaster. I can’t cry on today of all days.
“Don’t mess up your makeup,” Lyndi chides. She points a warning finger at each of us, daring us to defy her.
“I’m sorry,” I say, fanning my face and trying to hold back the flood of tears. I never thought getting married would be this emotional. In fact, I thought it would be depressing. I mean, tying yourself to someone for the rest of your life? It has a tragic, Shakespeare, quality to it. I always thought the brides sobbing their eyes out were being dramatic, but now … now I completely understand it.
The thought of calling Siva Kapur my husband sends a thousand butterflies fluttering through my stomach in endless circles. I’m getting nauseous thinking about it.
“Turn,” Lyndi commands, so I’m now facing the mirror.
I think my dress is beautiful. I never thought I’d wear a wedding dress. I figured jeans, a t-shirt, and the courthouse. But Siva wanted a real wedding and none of my pleading for something else would sway him. Now I have to admit he was right. But I’ll never tell him. He’ll get too much satisfaction out of being right.
My dress is white, none of that off-white stuff, with a one-shoulder basket weave organza style. Little flowers adorn the sleeve and waist.
“Bend down,” says Lyndi, holding onto my veil. She clips it into my hair. My hair is up, with a few loose curls framing my face. “Stay down,” she commands, when I start to straighten. “You may be short Sloane but I’m shorter.” She then produces a diamond orchid clip and slides it into my hair. “Perfect,” she breathes, standing back to admire her handiwork. “You can stand now,” she adds.
I straighten my spine and look at my reflection. This is it.
“Ready?” asks my mom.
I nod. She smiles reassuringly. Lyndi smiles
too and hands me a bouquet of green hydrangeas.
There’s a knock on the door. Pax, Siva’s friend and best man, sticks his head in the door. I didn’t meet Pax until a few weeks ago. He’s Siva’s age and half Korean with slanted dark eyes and black hair bleached on the choppy ends. He’s covered in tattoos and he seems like a nice enough guy but something about him frightens me. There’s an undercurrent of menace shrouding him. I know he’s a friend from Siva’s past. A past I’m pretty sure I want to know nothing about. I kind of wonder why he didn’t pick Jacob.
“It’s time,” he says, and flashes me a smile.
I look at my mother and Lyndi.
“Let’s do this.”
“Milady.” Pax sticks his arm out for Lyndi. I can hear the music starting in the church. I definitely never thought I’d be married in a church. But it seemed fitting. This is where we met after all.
My mom looks at me. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Proud?” I tremble, overcome with emotion.
“You’ve turned into an amazing young woman. You’re brilliant, you’re smart, you’re pretty and kind. What mother wouldn’t be proud?”
I give her a weak watery smile as I fight back tears. My knees begin to shake. “I’m so scared,” I whisper. “This is huge.”
She smiles. “You’d be crazy not to be. Marriage is the hardest, scariest thing you’ll ever do. Just remember at the end of the day why you married that person.”
“Because I love him,” I breathe.
“Exactly. Remember,” she says with a motherly smile. “Come on, show time.”
Pax and Lyndi are almost to the altar where Siva stands. He looks perfect in his black tux. His dark hair is slicked back and his violet eyes are shining. Even from this distance their purple hue captivates me. He’s staring at me like I’m the only person in the world. I’m sure I wear a similar expression on my face. One of wonder, elation, happiness, but mostly love.
The crowd in the church stands. It’s a small crowd. Intimate. I see Jacob. Alice and Mae. Samantha and Cory. Even Nate. I’m shocked to see Rajas and Lila. Even Siva’s mom, Isla, is here. She’s in the back with a doctor and nurse. But she’s here and that’s what matters. Our families are all here to see us married. It’s an unconventional family but it’s ours.
Temptation Page 20
