I laughed, and in my head, wondered how an eight-year-old had already developed such expensive problem-solving skills.
“A limo?” I repeated slowly.
Lucas nodded enthusiastically, clearly proud of himself.
“That’s actually… not the worst idea,” I admitted, scratching the back of my neck as I thought it through. If Jack and Maureen joined us, plus Geeta, the kids, and Jiya… the car situation was already looking like a puzzle with too many pieces.
Jiya raised an eyebrow at me. “You’re encouraging him?”
“I’m just saying,” I shrugged, pretending to consider it seriously, “if we’re going to arrive at a wedding, we might as well arrive like celebrities.”
Lucas’s eyes widened. “See, Mama? Cole likes my idea!”
Jiya shook her head, trying to hide her smile. “I think you two are forgetting that limos cost money.”
Lucas crossed his arms thoughtfully. “Well… if Cole pays for it…”
“Hey,” I said quickly, holding up my hands. “Let’s not get carried away.”
Geeta laughed, and even Jiya couldn’t hold back a small chuckle.
After reaching the car a few minutes later, I watched Jiya carefully strap Emma into her seat and help Lucas buckle himself in. She moved with that calm, practiced efficiency I had seen a hundred times before—checking the straps, smoothing Emma’s hair, reminding Lucas not to kick the seat in front of him.
Jiya closed the door, walked around the car, and slid into the driver’s seat. Before starting the engine, she glanced up and caught me watching.
I quickly straightened and gave her a small wave.
She shook her head with a faint smile, then started the car.
I stood beside my own car as the vehicle pulled away, watching until it disappeared.
Mental note: Book a limo for the wedding.
Jack and Maureenwere already in Jiya’s house when I entered.
They both turned toward me as I stepped inside.
Jack looked surprisingly elegant in a deep maroonkurtaembroidered with subtle gold threads along the collar and cuffs, with matching creamchuridars. The whole outfit looked far more refined than anything I had ever seen him wear behind the restaurant bar.
Maureen stood beside him in a graceful pinksalwar kameez.
I had read about Indian dress, etiquette, food, customs, and traditions after Jiya told me about her mother. I wanted to be prepared in case the conversation ever fell into an awkward silence. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to use that knowledge—until now, as I prepared to attend this Indian wedding with everyone.
“Well, look who finally decided to show up,” Jack said with a grin.
“I’m right on time,” I replied, glancing at the clock on the wall.
“Fashionably late is still late,” Maureen teased.
“I had to make sure I looked presentable,” I said, gesturing down at myself.
Jack raised an eyebrow approvingly. “Not bad, Cole. Didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Credit goes to Jiya,” I said.
She had picked a royal bluekurtawith pearl white trousers for me at the store.
Before either of them could respond, Lucas came bouncing into the room and wrapped his arms around my waist.
