I rub my forehead with one hand, the one not currently juggling a wiggly puppy. This is too much to take at one time. He got it for me? But that happened before we hooked up.
But it could be true. He isn’t a huge contemporary art fan, so I was surprised when he even bid on it, much less kept bidding on it until he won.
This is all so sweet. Gavin being more observant and thoughtful than I give him credit for. And working hard to make me happy, even after I told him to get lost. This puppy couldn’t have been easy to watch, as shown by Gavin’s current appearance.
“Thank you for the painting. And the puppy. And the job offer. I don’t know what I want to do, but I’m not going to rush into something new. I’ve still got a lot to work through with Loot and my dad.”
That thought makes me sober up again after the happiness of the last few minutes, but I move on to happier thoughts.
“But whatever I do, I want to do it with you,” I say, ready to take the plunge with him. He’s knocked down every concern I had.
He started to lightly erode my concerns since I stole his girlfriend, all through the country house party, and now he’s flooded past my worries, saying all the right things. Over time showing me he can take things seriously...or at least that he can take me seriously.
Even if he didn’t have the best reaction to my news before, he’s not afraid to own up to it and apologize for his bad timing. And bad timing’s not really that severe a sin anyway.
Or maybe he’s just learned that I’ll forgive anything if it comes with a puppy. Either way he’s learning.
Gavin’s eyes light up.
“You’re aggravatingly perfect without trying, and you make me happy and I love you,” I say again.
“I love you too.” Gavin smiles at me, making my stomach warm in happiness. Not only because of everything he’s said, but because that smile is devastating.
Maybe I should have let him help me that day in Long Island, if I would have gotten this feeling of comfort to help me through all the turmoil over the last few days.
I pull back. “By the way, I said I love you first.”
He looks too indignant for someone who was just kissing me. “No, you didn’t. I did, in Harrison’s mansion. We can call Sarah if you need a third-party witness.”
I wave him away. “I think we can all agree you said it at the worst time and that shouldn’t be counted.”
“Is that the technicality you want to start our lives on?”
“If it means starting out life with me winning, then yeah.”
“Riya, I’m going to let this one slide since you’ve had a few days. But don’t get used to this easy agreement.”
“I would never.” I love arguing with this man too much for that.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Mom.” I walk into the apartment holding Gavin’s hand. “I have a puppy!”
“And a Gavin,” Gavin adds about himself.
After I texted Mom and Sonia that everything was good with Gavin...even perfect with Gavin, she said that she was still at my apartment, cooking even more for me. She ordered me to come back and bring Gavin over so she could meet him formally. I don’t want to fight with both parents at once, so I complied.
Plus I have very good food at my home.
“I’m sure my daughter didn’t mean that to reflect her priorities. Hi, Gavin.” She hugs the wary man. “Have you eaten?”
“I have, Mrs. Gupta. Thank you.”
“Call me Rani. I’ll just make you a small plate then.” She walks into my little-used kitchen, which is getting a workout lately.
I shake my head at Gavin behind Mom’s back, pantomiming to him that he’s getting a plate with a huge pile of food on it. Mom makes my prediction a reality when she turns back with a plate containing a small model of Mount Everest.
I give him a knowing look as she hands the plate to Gavin, who looks unsure of what just happened.
