“Shit,” he whispers, face contorting in panic. “What did I say? I’m so sorry.”
He’s holding himself back—physically restraining himself from reaching out. His arms twitch with the effort, his body leaning toward me like instinct’s trying to override reason.
“Nothing,” I mumble, swiping at my cheeks. “I just... I didn’t know. It was a bit shocking.”
“Oh.” He deflates instantly, shoulders sagging as he takes a hesitant step back. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Maybe I should’ve—at the cafe, this morning.”
“No, that’s fine.” I shake my head, clearing the fog. “It’s good that you’re... you know. Doing something about it.”
He nods, lips pressed together. And I hate how small he looks. Exhausted. Rattled.
“I was...” he starts quietly, eyes flitting back to his phone, “I was looking for flights.”
My breath catches.
“There’s a direct flight in two days. I can—”
“You’re leaving?” I blurt, and immediately want to slap myself.You told him to leave, dumbass.
“Yeah,” he says gently, like he doesn’t want to remind me of my own words. “You said—”
“I know.” My fists curl, more at myself than him. “What would you even tell my parents?”
“Whatever you want me to,” he whispers. And somehow that hits me harder than anything else he’s said since coming to India.
Like he’d lie, grovel, vanish—just to make things easier forme.
My chest tightens. “Have you ever been to an Indian wedding?”
His brows lift slightly, a flicker of amusement sparking. He shakes his head.
And he smiles.
Thatsmile. The one I used to find in the quietest of moments. The one that made me feel like I was home. And he’s right—thereisa difference in him now. In his words. His eyes. His restraint.
“Stay,” I say before I can stop myself. “Stick around. Maybe you’ll find it fascinating.”
He chuckles under his breath. “I already do.”
I start to turn away, but pause mid-step, remembering why I came out here in the first place.
“Wait—what did my dad say? When Navya came over?”
“Navya?” Lucian’s face scrunches in confusion. Then the realization dawns. “Oh.Thatgirl.”
Now he’s grinning. That boyish, stupid, heart-squeezing grin. Damn it.Stop being adorable. Go back to being a walking red flag.
No. Wait. Not that either.Ugh.
He tilts his head, teasing. “Are you sure you wanna know?”
I narrow my eyes. “Lucian.”
He takes a deep breath, clearly enjoying this.
“Your dad introduced me to her as...” he pauses for effect, “...his future potential son-in-law.”
Time stops.
