Page 17 of Knot So Romantic

I’m relieved we’ve moved on from the topic of kids. I love kids, but I’m glad I don’t have any from my marriage. I can’t imagine how difficult that would have made things.

The food at the table, the delicious aromas of the chicken biryani my mother has specially prepared for us, soon take over.

Elena and I move to the couch after dinner, bowls of halwa dessert in hand. She opens her phone, clicks on a few things, and passes it to me, pointing to the picture of a young, jovial-looking man. “This is Dilip’s colleague, whom I was telling you about. What do you think of him for Kavita?”

An unexpected knot forms in my gut as I study the photo. There’s no discernible reason why the idea of setting up Kavita with this man should affect me. Yet I can’t deny the unsettling sensation it provokes.

I cough, buying a moment. “Doesn’t he seem...rather young, though?”

Elena’s eyes narrow playfully. “And what would be a more appropriate age, dear brother?” She leans closer with a maddening grin. “Someone a bit...older, perhaps?”

Heat rises to my face as her implication registers. “Um…I don’t know…Just saying he doesn’t seem right for her.”

“Oh? And what makes you think you know who is right for Kavita?”

I open my mouth, but no response comes. An image of Kavita’s warm smile flashes unbidden in my mind, causing an unwelcome tightening in my chest that I quickly dismiss.

“I...don’t claim to know anything,” I recover slowly. “We merely...know each other through this wedding dress project. That’s all.”

Elena’s gaze darts to my untouched dessert bowl, then back to me with a knowing smirk. “Is that so? Then why did you suddenly lose your appetite when I showed you that photo?”

My face warms as she calls out my reaction. “It’s not...I simply...” I fumble for an excuse, but Elena’s eyes are alight with realization.

“No need to fumble for explanations, dear brother,” she says, tone taking on a decidedly teasing lilt. “I’m starting to think you may be…attracted to her, perhaps.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I protest, even as her words strike uncomfortably close to something I’ve been trying not to acknowledge.

Elena chuckles. “Ridiculous? Come on, I’m just calling it like I see it. You thought that guy wasn’t right for her. You didn’t even finish your favorite dessert...” She leans back with a smirk. “And let’s be real, Kavita’s a knockout. I saw how you were eyeing her that day. Can’t blame you for having a little crush.”

“Nothing is going on beyond this wedding dress stuff,” I say out loud, trying to convince myself more than Elena. “Especially for a divorced guy my age.”

When Ramya left, it wrecked me in a way I didn’t think was possible after Dad died. I can’t risk that kind of pain again.

And while my gut reaction to Elena showing me that guy’s photo hints at some feelings about Kavita, I can’t help but laugh at the idea of a young, single, beautiful woman being interested in me. I’m just not a good fit for someone like Kavita. Maybe it’s a good thing my sister is setting Kavita up with someone she might actually want.

“Stop kidding yourself.” Elena’s eyes shine with determination. “If I were you, I’d think about your feelings. Really think about them instead of pushing them aside like they don’t matter. How will you know unless you actually find out?”

Her words hit home, making my heart tighten even as I try to brush them off. “What makes you think I want to find out?” I challenge her, struggling to keep my voice steady.

“Okay, suit yourself,” she shrugs. “I’m going to introduce her to Dilip’s colleague. So I hope you don’t mind a really handsome guy asking Kavita out. Who knows, maybe they’ll really hit it off and—”

I can’t resist giving her ponytail a sharp tug as a surge of inexplicable protectiveness rushes through me.

She shrieks with glee. “Aha! I knew it!”

“What’s going on with you two?” Mom’s voice cuts through our sibling squabble.

Elena smirks at me as she pulls away. “Don’t say I didn’t tell you,” she whispers mischievously before dancing out of arm’s reach.

I let out a heavy sigh, my resolve unexpectedly shaken by Elena’s persistent prodding. Despite my firm denials, her words have stirred up fragile longings I’ve tried to keep buried.

But the walls around my heart stay up. I need them there, whether I like it or not.

CHAPTER 7

Neel

It’s almost 8 p.m. when I remember Elena’s bag. It’s more for my mom’s sake than Elena’s that I decide to visit Kavita’s boutique. I could go tomorrow morning, but I have a packed schedule of appointments. Besides, the boutique isn’t that far, and it’s not too late yet. I hope it’s still open.