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“Because it’s not the answer I want to hear.” Giving up Nova is like giving up a kidney. I can’t imagine my life without her, and marrying someone else feels like I’m betraying her in the worst way.
Sazuki releases a worried sigh. “Perhaps your stubbornness is for the best. Choosing someone else over Nova is not what Dejonae wished for me to tell you.”
I arch an eyebrow at him. “You did not follow the script.”
“If you blame anything on me, I will deny it to my grave.”
“Nice to know I can count on you in a pinch.”
“I would rather, what do the Americans say—throw you under the bus than risk Dejonae’s wrath.” He swirls his sake around. “Perhaps this is why the other ladies sentallthe men to talk to me in the past. Sending only one means the outcome can swing wildly in a different direction.”
“All the men? You mean Alistair and the rest? They came to talk to you?”
“It was when I had issues with Dejonae…” Sazuki sighs. “A story for another day.”
I lift my sake glass.
He clinks his bowl against mine.
We drink deeply and I feel the burn go all the way down my chest.
Sazuki’s eyes meet mine. “Do you know what you are going to do now?”
“Yeah.” With dread and determination twining together in my stomach, I spit, “I’m getting married.”
* * *
Rowan’sruddy cheeks are a sign of his excitement. I fix his bowtie, twisting it until it looks balanced.
His brown eyes latch onto mine. “I saw mom’s dress. She looks really nice in it.”
“That’s great, bud.” I straighten and work on my tie next. I’m wearing a suit similar to Rowan’s—a navy tux and brown shoes.
“Look.” Rowan unfolds something from his pocket. It’s the list he made for Alexa. “We’ve scratched everything but two off.”
I skim what’s left of the to-do list.
#1 Wear a white dress and get married to a good guy.
#5 Go on a trip to India.
“I wanted to do this together.” Rowan runs to the table, grabs a pen and returns to me. Holding up the paper, he strikes a line through the first wish.
“Huh. Look at that,” I say, my heart heavy.
“Mom’s really happy.”
So are you, bud. That’s good.As long as you’re happy.
“Are we going on a trip after this?”
“That’s the plan.” We don’t have any time to waste. Alexa’s condition is worsening. I rented a medic plane to take her out of the country, but even with the extra precautions, we’re still playing a dangerous game.
“I can’t wait to go to India.” Rowan squeals. “Everyone was so jealous when I told them.”
“You told the kids?”
“Yeah.”
