“Why are we on a date?” Annika narrowed her eyes at him, as if that were a ridiculous question, when in reality she knew exactly what he was asking.
“Yes, Annika.” He exhaled heavily. “Why are we on a date that you clearly do not want to be on?”
“That’s not true. I like you and—” Annika sagged in her seat at his withering look. “I’m sorry. It’s not you, I swear. I’m trying, I really am.”
He sat back and straightened his back. “Jeez, Annika. My ego is pretty healthy, but comeon.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” She was an idiot. And possibly a terrible person. She had no business being here on a date with Sajan when she clearly had no romantic feelings for him, and never would. She had great affection for him as a friend, but that was all.
“Oh, God, Sajan. I’m an idiot.” She started to reach into her purse for cash to pay for their drinks. “You’re right. I never should have called when I’m—”
“Clearly still in love with Daniel.” Sadness fell over Sajan’s face, and he sank into his seat.
Annika pressed her lips together and faced him. “Is it that obvious?”
Sajan nodded. “Yep.”
“Ugh. I’m really sorry. You must think I’m awful—and you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. You’re a lovely person, and I enjoy your company, and our parents—”
Sajan held his hand up to stop her. “Are wrong plenty of times.” He sighed. “And you’re not an awful person. You’re trying to make your parents happy. And if it’s any consolation, I knew this couldn’t be a real date when I accepted it.”
“How’d you know that?”
He grinned. “I work with Daniel from time to time. He looks worse than you.” Sajan studied her a moment. “Want to know what I think, as a friend?”
Annika smiled. “Of course.”
“I’m guessing he broke up with you?”
Annika nodded.
“Daniel has some serious demons that he has not dealt with. This breakup is about fear.”
Annika sat up and stared at him, a light slowly going on in her head.
“Daniel’s a healer,” Sajan continued. “And I don’t mean just his job. I mean that’s who he is.”
“And he can’t heal himself.” Annika spoke slowly as the realization hit her. “He’s afraid to heal himself. Because he’s afraid of losing her all over again.” Of course. This wasn’t about her judgment. Danielwasa good man. A really good man. And his love for her was true. But she could not fight his demons for him. He had to do that on his own. He had to want to.
She pressed her lips together in a small smile and finished her drink. “Thank you.” She placed her empty glass down. “Listen, I don’t have any other plans tonight. Want another round? My treat.” She let her eyes rest on him, hoping he’d agree. “I’ll even spring for food.”
“Well, if you’re treating, hell yeah.” He laughed and motioned for their waiter.
ANNIKAFINISHEDPLEATINGNaya’s sari and pulled the pleated section down over her cousin’s shoulder. “Stay still,” she commanded through a mouthful of safety pins. She sounded like her mother. When the hell had that happened?
“It doesn’t have to be perfect. We’re just trying it on.” Naya squirmed.
“Just stay still,” Annika demanded as she pinned and wrapped Naya in her wedding sari until Naya was perfection. The sari was the traditional white with a red border, with fine beading throughout. Naya would make a beautiful bride.
“I think you do just a nice, simple updo, the red and white flowers accenting it, and that’s good. What do you think?”
“I love it.” Naya was slightly giddy. “What about you guys?”
“I had your mom get us all the same sari in that blue you like so much, right?”
Naya nodded her approval. “Honestly, whatever makes my mom happy at this point.”
Annika grinned. A diva her cousin was not. Which boded well, since they had barely a few months to plan this thing.
