She surprised him with a nod, and then shocked him by crawling right into his lap. She was almost too big for this, but he had plenty of room for her. He enclosed his arms around her and rocked her. She smelled like lavender and his heart hitched to finally embrace her. Those absent icy places in his chest were getting overfilled. “You have followed Jia online?”
Her curls tickled his nose when she nodded.
“Tell me, does she strike you as the type of person who would be cruel to someone? Or belittle their appearance?”
“No.”
“No. The opposite, I would say.” Jia’s platform was radically positive when it came to acceptance and kindness.
“People can be different offline than they are online.”
Wise girl. “That is true, but Jia is authentic. I wouldn’t think of marrying someone who wouldn’t be a good aunt to you, and I will listen to you if you have concerns after you meet her.”
“You will?”
“Of course.” He brushed his lips over her forehead. “And as you mentioned, she is younger and cooler than me. Youmight enjoy having someone around who isn’t ancient.”
That got a tiny smile from her. “When’s the wedding?”
“I don’t know. When Aji comes, we will probably discuss that.”
Luna sat up straight. Dev had wondered about the connection between Luna and her great-grandmother. If Aji really had given Rohan money to keep his daughter... well, their attachment made more sense. “She’s coming here?” Luna looked around and grimaced. “She’s not going to like this place, Kaka. It’s small, for her.”
“I’m aware. She’s rented a place in Malibu. We’ll go stay with her there for a few days.”
“Malibu!” Luna brightened. “But I didn’t order any bikinis. I won’t have time to get any before that. All the girls here wear two piece suits.”
“Bikinis?” He cleared his throat to hide his instant horror. He hoped Jia had more insight than his various self-help books on parenting young women. “I mean, oh no. I suppose what you have will do.” His phone buzzed, reminding him that he had a message. He pulled it out of his pocket while Luna scrambled off the bed and dragged out her suitcase.
His dismay as he read Jia’s text must have been apparent, because Luna paused in rummaging around in her drawers. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” he wheezed. No, he was not okay.
He had to meet Jia’s parents? His grandmother was going to meet Jia’s parents?
“Kaka, are you sure?”
He forced a smile. “Everything’s going to be great,” hetold Luna. It would be. He was good with older adults, even skeptical ones. Dev may not have his brother’s or cousin’s breezy charm, but he had his own skills.
He texted her back.No problem.
How did Luna take it?
Luna appeared less heartbroken now, at the prospect of seeing her grandmother, but her trauma ran deeper than he’d imagined.She’s a little upset. She fears you won’t want her around.
Aw.?I could never! Perhaps I could spend some time with her over the weekend to get to know her a little better.
That would be nice. Are you okay?
Yes.
“Luna?”
She gave him a questioning glance as she folded her swimsuit.
He thought about his grandfather and Rohan. About his father, fighting his parents and throwing the comfortable life he’d known away for love. “We decide what a Dixit looks like. You and I. No one else. Understand?”
She froze, and gave a single nod. “Yes, Kaka.”
