“Well,” Naya continued, “I was trying to like him, anyway.”
Annika shrugged. “There’s not much to say. He has to deal with losing Sara. Right now, he deals by shutting down.” She thought about Daniel’s family. “And shutting everyone out.”Including her.She swallowed hard. “That’s what makes it so difficult. I have no doubt that he loves me. I actually think he feels like he’s doing right by me. What is wrong with men?”
“By decidingfor youthat having children was more important than him?”
Annika sighed. Sheshouldprobably be angrier about that, but she really couldn’t muster the energy to be angry at someone who was hurting so much. Especially someone she loved with such ferocity.
“Give it a rest, Naya. Either way, he has to come to terms with his loss before he can—”Be with someone again.And she knew it wouldn’t be her. When—if—he healed, he’d be a different person with different needs. Who knew if he’d still love her? She certainly couldn’t wait around to just be disappointed. Boy, she really could pick them, couldn’t she?
“You’re too good for him.” Naya grinned.
Annika rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She chuckled as she squeezed her cousin’s hand. “How are you?”
Naya shrugged, but Annika caught the tears in her sunken eyes.
“Hey.” Annika turned Naya’s face toward her own. “Is it possible you’re being stubborn and not seeing the big picture?”
“What’s that?”
“That you and Ravi love each other and should be able to live your own lives.”
“That’s not—”
“Yes, it is. I’m not saying defy all authority. I’m saying you’re both grown adults. If he’s willing to be with you with all his heart, his parents will come around. And if they don’t—well, you can’t live your life trying to make everyone else happy.”
“Have you been talking to Ravi?”
“No, she has not.” A deep but familiar rumble came from behind Annika, and Naya went even paler.
Annika turned to find a disheveled and weary Ravi standing in the door. He nodded at Annika, but addressed his words to Naya. “I knew you’d come to see Nilay. Annika is right. Talk to me, Naya. Come on.”
“How did you even...know about Nilay?” Naya turned accusatory eyes on her cousin.
Annika held up her hands in surrender. “Not me.”
“Daniel,” Ravi confessed, flicking his gaze to Annika. “He called me.”
That sharp pang that Annika was getting familiar with stabbed at her heart.
Naya, for her part, was frozen in her seat, her eyes filled with longing for the man in front of her.
Annika stood. “I’ll just go...get some coffee...or something.”
“No.” Naya stood. “We’ll go.” She squeezed Annika’s hand. “You visit with Nilay.” Naya walked over to Ravi and took his hand. “Let’s talk.”
Annika settled into her chair next to Nilay’s bed, prepared to watch him sleep as she had the past few days.
“Is she gone?” Nilay croaked from the bed.
Annika sat up. “Yes. Are you all right?”
Nilay raised a hand. “Fine. Can you press the button so I can sit up?”
Annika did as her brother asked. He actually looked better. There was some color in his face, and he was smiling. “Hey! You look good!”
“Duh.” He grinned. “I’m ready to kick some ass.”
Annika shook her head. “Isn’t that what put you here to begin with?”
