She shrugged and led the way up the steps to her third-floor apartment. Suddenly, Daniel was very chatty, sharing a humorous story about moving Emma into her first apartment, and his ba being firm about putting a small Ganesha in it.
Annika tapped the necklace she always wore, the one with a pendant of the elephant-headed deity. “Remover of obstacles. Can’t ever hurt.”
In front of her door, Daniel stood behind her while she fumbled with her keys. The fact that she could feel the heat from his body did not improve her ability to fit the key into the lock. She finally succeeded and opened the door, motioning for Daniel to follow.
“Might as well have chai before you go,” she said, turning into the kitchen to clear her head.
Daniel stood just inside the doorway, his hands in his pockets, an almost shy smile on his face. He fixed his eyes on hers, and she was forced to rest her hand on the counter to steady herself. “Tempting,” he said, pursing his mouth, suggesting the temptation was more than just the chai.
Annika held his gaze a beat too long before responding. “Of course, you have to go. Sheila.” The thought of him going to see his ex irritated her. She held her hands out. “Well, I’m safe and sound.” A jealous growl escaped her throat. “Thank you.”
Daniel did not break eye contact. “Yeah. I should go.” But instead, he moved a few steps into her apartment. Closer to her. Suddenly, the electric tension that had followed them from the car crackled and sparked. Against her better judgment, Annika walked to him. Close enough to see the struggle on his face, the war that seemed to always be waging in his eyes. Close enough to feel the heat from his body. Her irritation melted away.
She nodded. “Mmm-hmm.”
He stood for a moment longer, watching her, the thick, electric silence stretching between them.
“Yeah, okay.” Then, in one quick motion, he turned and walked out.
Well, okay.
Annika let out a breath and shut the door behind him. She didn’t get the feeling he was still in love with Sheila, but there was something there she couldn’t place. A few kisses and meeting each other’s families didn’t make them a couple—she’d been pissed at him until last week, for God’s sake. So she needed to give up the irritation that he was going to see Sheila.
His family had been lovely to her, and Annika couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so comfortable around people she’d only just met—it certainly hadn’t been this way with Steven’s family.
A giggle from Naya’s room grabbed her attention. When was the last time she heard Naya giggle? Annika crept toward her door, which was slightly ajar. Another giggle. Annika knocked.
“I’m on the phone. Come in,” Naya called. Annika slowly pushed open the door to find Naya FaceTiming. As soon as Naya caught her eye, she motioned for Annika to come in.
“Ravi, I’ll be there in an hour. Promise.” After another giggle and what Annika could have sworn was a kissy-face (or two), Naya tapped her phone off and glanced shyly at Annika.
“Don’t tell your parents or mine.”
Annika rolled her eyes. “That you’re spending the night at your boyfriend’s? Naya, most women our age do.”
“You know they’ll flip out. It’s not ‘what we do.’” Naya did a perfect accent and head bob. “Especially after—never mind.” She waved her hand and looked away from Annika.
“Especially after what happened with me, you were going to say.”
Naya lowered her head, sheepish. “Yes, but I didn’t mean it that way. I just meant...”
“Uh-huh.”
“I just mean your parents might be pressuring you to get married, but the whole situation has my parents freaking out a bit, too.”
“But you’re the ‘good one.’” Annika made the air quotes. “They should know that by now.”
Naya set her lips in a stern line and placed her hands firmly on Annika’s shoulders. “You’re not bad. I’m not good. We just are who we are.”
“You know what I mean. I seem to consistently do things that cause my parents anxiety.” Ignoring warning signs.
“You have to live your life, Annika. You’re a great teacher—”
“You know that doesn’t really matter to them.” Annika waved it off; she was done with this conversation.
“So, where were you all day?” Naya didn’t wait for an answer. “Let me guess, out with a certain tall, dark and handsome?”
Annika froze. How had Naya known she was out with Daniel?
