‘Are you okay?’ Worry showed in his eyes. ‘You seem … different.’
‘I’m fine.’ I took in a breath. ‘Just had a long day.’
‘Do you want to tell me about it?’ he asked softly.
I knew he wanted to be there for me. And I almost let him.
But I couldn’t. Not when his mother’s words bore down, accusing and unyielding.
My teeth grazed my bottom lip as I shook my head.
‘Okay.’ He stood up. ‘I’ll let you get some rest then. If you need anything, you know where to find me.’
Jai’s T-shirt was soft, smelled faintly like him and grazed the middle of my thighs. The shorts didn’t fit me, so I left them on the nightstand and slid under the covers.
If you think I’m leaving you alone in this state, you’re out of your goddamn mind.
Sometimes, I hated how good he was. How kind.
It would’ve been easier if he were cruel. If he deserved my betrayal.
But he didn’t. Not mine. Not Rekha’s.
He deserved to know the truth.
In fashion, invisibility is the same as death.
My grip tightened around the blanket before I flung it off and padded to his room.
I knocked, then slowly opened the door.
The room was bathed in muted golden light. Jai was leaning against the headrest, the rest of him under the blanket as he read a book.
He looked up, the edges of his lips curling.
He shut the book, placed it on the nightstand, then lifted the covers in silent invitation.
I crossed the room and slipped in. Instantly, I was enveloped by his warmth and the sweet, woody scent I’d started to crave.
‘I want to know what happened, but you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.’ His thumb gently caressed my cheek as his eyes stared into mine. ‘Just know that I’m always here for you.’
If he knew the truth … I wouldn’t be here.
So, I tucked my guilt behind a smile and closed my eyes.
12
Good Morning
Ananya
Mmm. Nice smell.
I wiggled closer.Ugh.What’s this weight around my waist?
I reached for it and froze.An arm?
My breath stopped. My eyes snapped open.
