My parents let me get away with my own minor rebellions because of my “condition.” My mother in particular was never able to completely get over the loss.
But before the incident with Arush, I didn’t let my frustration with that come between us. Because I’d made a promise to my aunt to find a way to keep both my independence and my family, I came to dinner every week and endured the same rituals over and over again. The encouraging laughter at Niraj’s attempts at humor, the hushed admiration every time Arush had something to say. The movie that occasionally followed the meal, where someone onscreen would inevitably start dancing in the middle of a perfectly decent plotline, and my mother would look at me like she wanted to cry.
I once joked about suing Bollywood for pain and suffering.
Joey thought I should have told them about my part in the business sooner, instead of quietly paying off their mortgage interest or slipping money into their savings accounts over the years. He believed that would snap them out of the pity party they regularly held in my honor. But I had a feeling that finding out I’d made a fortune from Aunt Tanisha’s secret inheritance wouldn’t go over well.
I’ve never been more disappointed to be right.
I sneak another peek at Emerson and my face heats. Yep. He’s still there. Still gorgeous, with muscles for days and the softest-looking lips I’ve ever seen on a man…
Which is, you know, not the reason I married him.
Whatever you need to tell yourself.
I still can’t believe he said yes.
Getting married to avoid getting married might seem like the start of a bad joke, but it really does matter that this was my idea. My choice instead of my brother’s. Going through with this is the most impulsive thing I’ve ever done—apart from showing up at Joey’s place after running away from home. But even that was predictable. Joey has always been my safe place.
This feeling for Emerson? This is…new.
“You look warm. Do you need me to turn the heat down?”
Yes. And can you please make your voice stop doing that thing that makes the back of my thighs tingle? “Not unless you’re uncomfortable.”
“I’ll turn it down.”
I swallow the dreamy sigh with a feeling of horror, because turning down the heat is not slaying a dragon and I need to stop melting every time he asks me a simple question or opens a door.
This isn’t like me at all.
I tried initially, but I can’t even chalk up my behavior around him to his family name, even though I’d been following the gossip on the Waynes for a while now.
Joey and his brother JD loved telling me stories about the two large families—the Finns and the Waynes—and their highly unusual adventures in coupling. At this point, I could probably write a book about them, but it would have to be X-rated and I’d never have the nerve to publish it.
I imagined the Finns as passionate, Irish paragons. The slightly rowdy, disproportionately gay hometown heroes that JD was strangely obsessed with until he met his husband.
And then there were the Waynes. Another large family. More traditionally nuclear with a nearly even mix of handsome black men and strong, brilliant women, all of them named after famous authors. Even before I moved to town, it was this family I was more interested in. Especially after I heard about the Bronte Wayne secret-marriage subplot.
As I’ve said, I’m something of a reality show junkie, so I ate up every bit of it. By the time I started meeting them in person, it felt like I’d known them forever. Conversely, they had absolutely no idea who the weird little Indian chick from the West Coast was and it made things slightly uncomfortable during our introductions.
“You didn’t tell me how Joey handled the news,” he says into the silence.
“I know you were talking to him about it when we got there. He looked worried.”
Breathe, Tani. Talking is also a plus.
“He’s in shock. I’ve never kept anything from him for this long. And I think we accidentally stole his thunder, because I’m pretty sure someone proposed last night or this morning. I’m still not clear on whether it was him or Elliot.”
He offers me a small smile that makes my stomach flutter. “Busy day. My brother-in-law will be happy, at least. I think he’d move a few more members of his family in this direction if he could.”
“JD might have something to say about that.” Especially if Manwich and Dickie show up, I think, biting my lip to conceal my grin.
“I was wondering. Spin the Bottle. Is Royal the only one I have to worry about?”
“What?” I laugh, burying my face in my hands. “I can’t believe I told you that.”
“I’ve heard honesty is key in a good marriage. We’re here.”