Page 215 of Dream On, Liar

“She gets a pass,” He muttered. “She’s pregnant.”

“Fine.” I yelled out. “Come out, and I won’t joke about anything.”

Hearing the sincerity in my voice, Raina finally stepped out.

It was like a pin had dropped in the entire store, as all of us stilled.

She wore a cherry-red lehenga that seemed to absorb every light in the room before giving it back warmer.

The embroidery caught along the skirt in intricate gold patterns, climbing towards the fitted blouse and spilling into the dupatta draped over one shoulder. Another propped up over her head as a veil.

Her hair had been pulled back loosely, leaving a few strands around her face.

She looked…

I couldn’t finish the thought.

Neither could Dev.

For once, I had nothing smart to say.

I heard him breathe out beside me. “You look just like Ma.”

Raina’s expression changed immediately, her eyes teary up instantly. “Really?”

Dev nodded.

“You look beautiful, Rain.” Vedant walked up to her, his own eyes watering.

She looked at me, expectantly.

“Cherry is definitely your colour.”

She rolled her eyes. “That literally makes me want to buy anything but that.”

“Well, you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t.”

And just like that, the tension dropped as a soft laugh left the rest of them.

But something strange moved through me.

I looked around the room.

At Vedant.

At Raina.

At the outfits scattered around us.

At the ridiculous number of garment bags that held our items for Vedant’s coming nuptials.

At the seamster speaking quietly to one of the assistants.

My older brother was getting married to the love of his life.

My little sister was pregnant and getting married to my best friend, and the love of her life.

The same anger I had years ago for them, for taking Ma from me, wasn’t there.