Priya in Heels (Entangled Embrace) (25 page)

“What did you do?” she asked.

“You mean what
didn’t
I do? I didn’t sleep with him, and he kicked me out.”

“Oh don’t feed me that crap, Priya. He’d never do that, not unless there was something else.”

“I almost had sex with him, but we remembered I’m marrying Manuk.”

Vicki shook her head.

“I tried to stay away from him! I’ve gone so long without talking to him or making eye contact. We were doing so well, then he pulled this whole thing about ‘having’ to go to the wedding because I already agreed to, and bridezillas, and his entire family thought we were still together. They talked about how cute we were and that we should go to their house again. His little cousin thinks she’s my BFF, and the photographer took pictures of us like I was a part of their family.

“We danced and it was downhill from there. All he had to do was look at my mouth and tell me…” I stopped.

“Tell you what?”

“Stuff.”

Vicki smirked. “What sorts of things did Tyler say to get your panties wet?”

“Stuff like that,” I groaned. “Before I knew it, he was kissing me right there in front of everyone on the dance floor, then in the elevator, then in his bed. I almost slept with him.”

“What’s wrong with that? You’ve had sex with him before, and obviously you wanted to do it again.”

“The problem? I’m getting freaking engaged.”

“Your stubborn brain is the only thing keeping you engaged. Your heart, your soul, your lady parts, everything else leads you back to Tyler. I’m this close to calling your daddy.” She showed a narrow gap between her thumb and finger.

I stared out the window. Maybe if Ty didn’t get close to me again, if we managed to keep our distance, things would work out the way Mummie had planned.

“What do you think about moving?”

Vicki smacked her lips. “I love my apartment. Anyway, Tyler’s probably moving out when his lease is up in a couple of months.”

“Oh. Well, he doesn’t need to. I may be going back to Austin or Dallas next year. You can text him that.”

“So snippy? I have other friends, you know? Tyler happens to be one of them.”

“Obviously. You guys have been texting and conspiring since you met. Being engaged is as set in stone as marriage, without the sex.” I cringed.

“What are you going to do with Manuk? He’ll expect sex after the wedding, maybe before. Are you going to close your eyes and pretend you’re humping Tyler for the rest of your life?”

“Yes.” I shook my head. “I mean no! I mean I
won’t
be into Ty forever. I’ll get over him.”

“BS. You don’t just get over someone like Tyler, or forget about the love you guys have.”

We fell into silence until we arrived at the apartment complex and went inside. Home sweet home. For a little while, anyway.

“You don’t look good.” Vicki urged me to take a seat on the couch. When I did, she knelt and touched my forehead. “You’re burning up. You’ve been looking rundown a lot lately.”

“Yeah. I need to lie down.”

“Want some hot chocolate?”

I pouted. “With those tiny marshmallows?”

Vicki smiled and heated milk while I sank into the couch and pulled a throw blanket over myself. It was the blanket Ty had covered us with when we had watched
K3G
months ago. I remembered those first touches and hugs, and the memories made me physically sick. Like feverish flu sick, as if my body fought an invasion and was on the losing end of a macabre battle.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Tyler

I had been so pissed after the wedding that my blood boiled. Was she even serious? I had thought about going after her. In the end I hadn’t. I regretted it. How could I have kicked her out, not bothering to see if she made it safely home? Good thing Vicki had texted when she’d picked her up.

Speaking of Vicki, she invited me over today, several days after the ordeal, enough time for me to cool down, but I didn’t expect for Pree to open the door. I turned to leave, but Vicki ran to the door and yanked me inside.

“Tyler! Come in. Have lunch with me.”

“Vicki, that’s not a good idea.”

“Why? We’re still friends. If someone here doesn’t feel comfortable, she can leave.”

I shook my head but didn’t back out.

Pree went to the sofa. “No worries. We’re all fine here.”

She skimmed over a magazine like nothing had happened. I was hot, livid, but tried to play it cool as I sat on a bar stool while Vicki whipped up lunch for three. The two of us ate at the counter. Pree ate on the couch.

Vicki engaged me in conversation. I returned the banter. After all, I shouldn’t lose Vicki’s friendship over Pree. We talked about Raj and work, and I fought against looking at Pree every few minutes.

Vicki asked, “Anything else new?”

A wicked streak shot through me. “Yeah, Meagan started calling again.”

“Oh?”

“She used to call me once in a while, but now it’s all the time.”

“And?”

“No reason not to give her another try.”

“You’re going to see her?”

“Already have,” I lied.

“How’d that go?” Vicki asked, calm and undeterred. She knew I was lying.

“Good. Really good.”

“Tyler, have you…?” Vicki muttered, playing the devil’s advocate.

“Yeah. It was a long time coming.” I couldn’t help myself. Pree had broken my heart. What was I supposed to do? Brood over her? Act like some passive, self-deprecating fool in love? Mope around? Behave like her and act as if my life wasn’t being stomped to the ground? I mean, was it so bad to make her share some of the pain?

Pree stormed past us into her room. No, it didn’t make me feel any better knowing Pree suffered.

I exhaled. “Too far?”

Vicki wrinkled her nose. “Maybe. But I think she needs it.”

I went to Pree’s room, knocked, and let myself in.

“What?” Pree asked from the edge of the bed.

I closed the door behind me.

Pree looked up and crumpled a magazine in her petite hands. “Please go away.”

I didn’t move.

“I said please,” she choked out, her words falling off trembling lips.

“What’s wrong with you?” I asked, needing to hear her say that she still loved me, that the thought of me being with someone else killed her.

“You shouldn’t care.” She wiped her face and walked toward me. “I was right, after all.”

“In what sense?”

“What we had was nothing. See? We’ve both moved on already”

“You’re lying.”

“No. We both have someone else.”

“We haven’t moved on.”

“Yeah, we have. I hope everything works out with you two.” She reached around me to open the door, but I moved into her path.

“You’re jealous.”

“I don’t have a reason to be. I broke up with you. I’m practically engaged.”

My mouth twitched. I leaned toward her, but she didn’t back away. “So you’re happy for me?”

“Of course.”

A derisive smirk curved my lips. “Have you had sex with him?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“We’re still friends, right? You can tell me.”

“Don’t play this game.”

“What game? I can’t tell my friend that I’ve been screwing my ex?”

She stumbled back and a moment of shock crossed her face before she jumped back into this game. “I guess since we’re being open, Manuk and I won’t wait until the wedding. He’s a romantic, though, with a lot of money. So it’ll be on vacation, maybe Europe.”

I snarled. “He should be excited. You’ve had practice.”

“Like starter homes, starter sex, maybe?”

I took another step. “
What
?”

“At least Meagan is broken in, right?”

“You are so full of shit.”

“Don’t you have a girlfriend to harass?”

I grunted, “I sure do,” and left.

I waved at Vicki on my way out, then went to meet Steve at the bar. We threw back some drinks and danced around my situation with Pree. In the end, all Steve could say was, “Man up. Fight if she’s worth it. Otherwise, it’s time to move on.”

I’d tried to fight for her and she still pushed me away for an engagement to another man.

Maybe I did need to move on.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Priya

I drove to Austin as soon as Ty left.
I didn’t have to take this from him. I needed to be away from him and spend more time with Papa.

I crashed in my old room. “Come here,” Papa said, standing in the hallway outside his bedroom.

I paused beside him at the entryway.

“I haven’t really been in here since…” His voice trailed off.

“Me neither.”

Papa went into the large master suite closet, where he pulled down a garment bag. He laid it out on the bed before unzipping it. The open flaps revealed a brilliant green
lengha
with gold and silver beads, glimmering
zari
, colored stones, and sequins that made exquisite patterns.

The quarter-sleeved bodice ended at the midsection, and the matching skirt would reach my feet. A folded
dupatta
lay over the hanger beneath the bodice.

I skimmed my fingers over the intricate material. How long had it taken to make this outfit by hand? Hours, days, perhaps weeks of painstaking sewing? I imagined the
lengha
had cost several hundred dollars.

“Was this Mummie’s?”

“No. She bought it for you.”

“For me? For my wedding?”

“
For the engagement. She had a far better
lengha
for the wedding, but she figured you’d want a say in it.”

“When did she buy this?”

“After your first meeting with Manuk. She was confident that Manuk would be your groom.”

“She never told me.” I bit back the words as soon as they emerged. “She never told me because she was mad at me.”

Papa pulled me into his arms and rested his chin atop my head.

“She’d never been that mad at me, Papa. And she died mad at me.” The words muffled in his chest.

“Her anger wouldn’t have lasted.”

I pulled back and sat beside the
lengha
to zip up the bag. “You’d lie to spare me.”

“Any parent would. The fact is, you’ll never know if my words are lies, so take them for what they’re worth. Trust my words,
beti
.”

“Thanks.”

“You should wear it to the engagement.”

“I will, in her honor. Do you know which
lengha
she picked out for the wedding?”

“Yes. It’s on hold downtown in Houston.”

“Of course it is.” I smiled. “Is it terribly expensive?”

“Does that matter?”

“Yes.”

“It doesn’t. When we’re buying, money isn’t important. Anyway, Manuk offered to pay for everything. You can discuss that with him, although it doesn’t matter if you don’t want it.”

“I will honor her wishes.”

Papa patted my head as if I were still a little girl on his lap. “Are you sure about this?”

“The
lengha
? Sure. Mummie had great taste in clothes. Expensive, but great taste.”

“No. I mean, are you certain you want to marry Manuk?”

“Yes. Mummie picked out an excellent husband.”

“
Hmm
.” He looked away thoughtfully.

“Manuk is nice.” That was all I could say. The truth was minimal.

“How are your friends in Houston? I haven’t seen the girls since, well, since the funeral.”

“Tulsi is good. I think Jeeta will decide on her engagement this summer. Vicki is happy planning her own wedding.”

“That’s good to hear. How is Tyler?”

“He’s good. We don’t see each other much with work and all.”

“I hope to see all of them soon. Will you be inviting him to the engagement?”

“No. It’s for family and close friends. We’re not friends anymore. The girls are coming.”

“
Hmm
.” He walked off, lost in thought again.

As if on cue, Manuk called on my cell. “Hello, Priya, haven’t heard from you in a while.”

“Been busy,” I replied.

“Are you at home?”

“At my dad’s house. What’s up?”

“Thought we could meet up in Austin and check out some wedding places, get things rolling.”

“Before the engagement? Daring, aren’t you?”

He laughed. “I want to come early for the engagement and stay late. Your dad said it was okay. Are you able to take the time off?”

“An entire week? I doubt it.”

“For your own engagement?”

“It’s not the wedding. Americans aren’t that elaborate about engagements. They don’t usually have an engagement ceremony that is just as long as the wedding.”

“I know. Try, okay?”

“Okay.”

“We should start scheduling out some weekends to see each other. You can drive here, if you want to take turns, but I don’t mind driving to Houston, or even Austin.”

“That makes sense to get to know each other better, huh?”

“Yeah.” He laughed.

“We’ll work something out.”

…

“Maybe one of these days you’ll let me spend the night.”

I gawked at Manuk and briefly skimmed over his insinuation.

He smiled from across the table and sipped wine as dark as blood. “Too forward?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“What did you mean?”

“It’s a long drive, makes for a long day. Crashing on your couch wouldn’t be bad.”

I swallowed another bite of dinner. “Why don’t you get a hotel room?”

“I would if you took Saturday off. I’d drive here Friday night or Saturday morning and leave Sunday evening. But when you work Saturdays, too tired to do anything until Sunday, it makes for a short visit.”

“Residency is harsh. You know that.”

“You’re still a little old school, huh? Not comfortable with a guy in your apartment, even with Vicki there, even if we’re getting engaged?”

I forced a smile, hoping it wasn’t sarcastic or calloused.

“If we meet in Austin, I could spend time with you and your dad. He said I could sleep over. Would you feel more comfortable there? Under the watchful eye of your dad, who wouldn’t let any rumors get started?”

How to stop this before it went any further? I didn’t know how to protest, not when Papa had already given permission. “I’ll think about it.”

He wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin. “Our parents have all the preparations ready for the engagement. The priest, the flowers, the ceremonious emblems, and the food. Invitations are out.”

“This is going fast, isn’t it?”

“Why wait? Yeah, the wedding will have to wait until after your residency, but why wait for the engagement?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have an outfit?”

“Yes, a beautiful green
lengha
.”

“That’s nice. I’ll wear something to match.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I wanted to pay for something.” He laughed. “Your dad insisted on paying for everything, but my mom put her foot down with the catering. She wants to at least pay for that. I tried to take the expenses from her, but she isn’t hearing any of it. Maybe I’ll be allowed to pay for your wedding
lengha
and more of the wedding expenses.”

“I haven’t purchased the wedding dress, but Mummie had one picked out.”

“Excellent.” He reached across the table and took my hand in his. “I have the engagement ring. You’ll love it. We can shop for the wedding bands together. You can pick your own
mangalsutra
if you want.”

I pulled my hand back and rested it on my lap. “I have one.”

Manuk gave a quizzical look. “Were you married before?”

“No! Mummie saw one that she thought I’d like. It’s a choker-style one. She knew I didn’t like gaudy jewelry and long necklaces. It’s a simple, one-string
mangalsutra
choker. I’d like to keep that one, if you don’t mind.”

He smiled warmly. “Of course. Are you ready? I guess I have a long drive home.”

Manuk drove a short distance to the apartment, parked, and turned off the engine. He jumped out before I did.

“You don’t have to walk me upstairs.”

“I want to see your apartment.”

“Are you the type of guy who wants to pay my bills and move me into a ritzy place?”

“Maybe. Come on.”

He followed me upstairs. We passed Ty’s door just as he opened it, trash bag in hand. Ty did a double take, his gaze moving over me and settling on Manuk.

Manuk smiled at him as we walked by. Ty’s glare was icy and harsh, but it smoothed over when Manuk spoke.

“Tyler, right?”

“Yep. Manuk, is it?”

“Yes. I remember you from the…” Manuk glanced at me.

“I’d shake your hand, but it’s not exactly clean.”

“No problem. Nice seeing you, Tyler,” he said.

“Likewise.”

I never stopped walking and had my door opened by the time Manuk cocked his head at Ty. I avoided Ty’s glare and walked inside while Manuk followed.

He looked around and nodded with approval. “Very nice place. Spacious, good layout, open, great flooring and cabinets.”

“Did you think I lived in a crappy place in the slums of Houston?”

“No, no.” He stood in the foyer and was expecting a tour. Indians tended to expect those things, and the host Indian always insisted on showing off their property.

“So, here’s the balcony.” I opened the blinds.

Manuk looked out into the city. “Awesome view.”

“And the bathroom. That’s Vicki’s room, and mine’s over there.”

He peeked into the bathroom, which I hoped was decent, then into my room.

“The furniture isn’t important during residency, just functional,” I said, knowing the bedroom furniture was mismatched.

“Is your bed comfortable?”

A trickle of anger rose inside me. I thought I’d made myself clear.

“I remember having a crappy bed in the dorm during college, but it didn’t bother me because I was young, I guess. Sleeping on that type of bed got to me by the time I hit residency. I had to get a decent mattress. My back was killing me.”

He stepped out of the bedroom and didn’t mention the bed again. The sliver of anger retreated.

Manuk waited, but when I didn’t suggest crashing, he said, “Well, guess I’d better head back to Dallas.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to get a hotel?”

He gave me a look that questioned if I were serious.

“Okay, drive safe.” I opened the door for him, and before I pulled back, he kissed me.

Startled, I froze. Thank goodness he didn’t try for something else, things I was not ready to give him.

But he didn’t notice. Manuk grinned. “Amazing.” Then he left.

My
lips were irritated, ambushed, and singed. The kiss wasn’t foul or slimy, just…unwanted. Manuk’s kiss was nothing like those from Ty. They weren’t soul shattering, belly churning. They didn’t make me want to run through hell and back for another taste.

I locked the door and leaned against it. Manuk’s kiss was nothing. I felt nothing.

Vicki appeared in the hallway, turning me into a skittish child. I held a hand to my chest. “Holy crap! You scared me, freaking ninja.”

“He’s gone, so you can take off the ring.” Vicki crossed her arms and glared at me.

“Oh shut up. I don’t even have a ring yet. Get over it. I’ve made my decision. Deal with it.”

“You need to get your head out of your—”

“Stop.”

“Manuk is a nice guy who deserves a girl who’ll love him, who wants him. I’m sure there are at least a dozen women who want to marry him. You’re going to die if you go through with this.”

I groaned and retreated to the solitude of my room. 

“Not buying the BS,” Vicki declared.

“Not caring.”