Page 11 of Knot So Romantic

Am I okay?

Is he referring to the present moment or to how I’ve been feeling since the day we met?

The answer to both is a resounding no.

CHAPTER 4

Neel

When I saw the address Elena had sent me, I hadn’t realized this was the same place across from the park. To think that I am entering the little shop I was just admiring the other day. I smile at the familiar sign outside that says KaaVaa.

The door is unlocked. As I walk in, it feels like I’m stepping into another universe. I’m immediately engulfed in a world so different from my own. Colorful fabrics draped over every surface, the walls adorned with sketches and fabric swatches, and a gentle hum of creativity buzzing in the air. The place is alive with the sound of sewing machines and the chatter of women working in the adjacent room. It’s an explosion of colors and sounds, a far cry from the muted tones of my office.

At the center of this creative whirlwind is—Kavita?

I freeze as a memory flashes through my head: Arjun’s wedding. A young, giggly woman offering me an alcoholic beverage that tasted pretty good, actually. She then squealed with laughter as she landed in my arms while catching the bouquet. Later that night, as I was strolling on the beach, lost in my own world, I saw her almost drown in the ocean.

Whenever I think about that night, the memory floods back as if it happened yesterday. I haven’t been able to forget her, the sweet look in her big, wide eyes. And her hair, tousled by the wind, framing her face in a way that took my breath away.

At that moment, all I wanted was to protect her, to save her from harm. But when she snuggled in my arms, looking up at me with those adorable chocolate-brown eyes and smiling, I knew I would do just about anything to see that smile again. Except I never found out where she lived or what she did. Never knew I’d meet her like this.

My stomach drops when I lay eyes on her now, bringing back vivid memories of that night on the beach. She’s wearing a sleek jumpsuit that accentuates her figure beautifully, with a plunging neckline that draws the eye to a hint of her ample curves and leaves me breathless.

I take in a deep breath as I watch her. She’s moving around the boutique as though she owns the place—which, I guess, she does. Her hands are everywhere, tweaking a dress on a mannequin, smoothing out a wrinkle there. It’s like she’s got this energy about her. And her eyes? They’re lit up.

“What do you think of this?” she asks Elena, engrossed in discussing some designs with my sister, a stray strand of her curly hair falling over her cheek. They are busy with something that she’s showing Elena when she turns mid-laugh and sees me. I detect a flicker of something in her eyes—a recognition, perhaps?

I don’t know how long I’ve stood there, staring at her, but the moment I move forward, she charges at me, waving her hand as she flings herself at my chest. It takes a moment before she explains that she thought my head was about to collide with the bell at her door. She’s right. I wasn’t paying attention to anything but her. To my dismay, I am currently staring at her mouth, the curve of her rosy lips.

I try to ignore the fact that she’s prettier than I remember and all the things her smile and voice are doing to me. But with every passing minute, I can feel my control slipping.

Kavita pulls away from my arms, her cheeks turning red. I glance at the lipstick on my new Armani shirt and, for a silly moment, I think about keeping the stain as a memory. Then I laugh at myself. First, I saved her at the beach. Now, we bump into each other here. We keep meeting in funny ways. I’m probably old enough to be her dad, but she makes me feel like a flustered teenager. It doesn’t seem to make any sense.

Afterward, I let Kavita and Elena get on with discussing the wedding outfits because I do not understand such things. Kavita’s eyes light up as she talks about each piece in her bridal collection. Every time her fingers trace the delicate patterns, her voice fills with warmth as she describes how each fabric made its way from the craftsman’s remote village to her boutique.

She tells us about a funny incident where a bride’s zipper got stuck and another where a bride-to-be secretly ran away from her wedding to hide out in her boutique overnight. I watch the way her lips curve when she laughs and how her fingers spread across her chest when she’s surprised.

She intrigues me. What kind of person would let a junior assistant bring her child to the boutique if not out of the goodness of her heart? Who would tease a grump like me and seem to enjoy it, even though she barely knows me? I’m surprised to enjoy it, too. It’s so unusual for me.

Kavita hesitates for a moment, then turns to me. “Would your parents be interested in seeing the selections?”

I give a small shake of my head. “My dad passed away a few years ago. And my mom’s health hasn’t been great lately, so she doesn’t get out much these days.”

Kavita’s voice softens with sympathy. “I’m so sorry about your father.” Then, with a warm smile, she offers, “But I’d be happy to send over some pictures for your mother to look at if she’d like.”

Elena nods. “Yeah, that would be great. She’d appreciate that.”

Kavita glances between us. “Is there anyone else who’d like to see them?”

I take a breath, considering how to respond. “It’s just us, really. Elena’s my only sibling, and I’m divorced.” I say it simply, not looking for sympathy. It’s just our situation.

Elena jumps in. “Well, there’s Dilip, my fiancé. I’ll bring him by next time. He should probably have a say in this, too,” she adds with a grin. “But for now, Neel’s the main family I have to consult, even if he may not be much help with fashion choices.”

Kavita nods, her smile warm and professional. “That sounds perfect. I’m here to guide you throughout the process. We’ll take everyone’s input into consideration.”

I try not to stare as her nose crinkles adorably when she smiles, a faint blush tinting her cheeks. My gaze lingers on her mouth as she bites her plump lower lip.

When her eyes lift to meet mine, there’s something of a charge in the air between us before it fades away.