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“I wasn’t keeping secrets. I was just having fun at the time” I glanced back at Axel. “I never thought I’d fall in love, but I did.”
“You still could’ve told me about your relationship with Axel.” Mom narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you think I would approve of someone who was sneaking around with my daughter?”
“No, ma’am,” Axel said smoothly. “I completely see your point. I get your concern, and I’m sorry we didn’t tell you.” He was making it sound like we were both in on this decision not to tell my mother. It all started out shady, with him coercing me into going out with him… to have fun. How quickly things changed. “From this day forward, I will be transparent with my intentions.”
My mother looked like she was in a crazy skit that she didn’t understand or know how to react to. However, she surprised me by saying, “Please, be good to her.”
“I will.”
“And you will have to marry her.”
I wanted to protest because it sounded like she was trying to trap him in some way. However, Axel smiled brightly. “I would marry her tomorrow if she would let me.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “I would do anything for her.”
“Is this what you want?” She smoothed my hair much like she did when I was a little girl.
I nodded, catching her hand and clutching it in mine. “Yes. This is what I want.”
“Oh, my baby is grown up now.” Her eyes glistened with tears she’d never shed. “I just want you to be happy.” She pulled me against her in a hug, and I could feel her tremble.
“I will be.” Time stood still as we held each other. Mom finally pulled back and righted her face, pasting on a bright smile and bringing her hands together. “I guess we will have a Nepali wedding, after all.”
Later, I watched as Axel bedazzled my mom by bringing her a cup of hot tea and insisting on cleaning up the kitchen. Kiran was still here, opting to stay and hang out longer, even though his parents had decided to go home earlier. He had broken the news to his mother that our engagement wasn’t happening. She didn’t seem thrilled.
However, Kiran seemed to have a fan crush on Axel and decided to stay. I set my teacup down and motioned to Kiran to step outside. He stood up and followed.
I rubbed my arm absently staring at the light post on the street corner. “Thank you for having my back today.”
“No problem,” he said.
“How did your mom take it?”
“Not good.”
I turned to him. “Did you tell her about your girlfriend?”
“Yes. She’s still processing this.” His mouth twisted wryly, and he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“She’ll come around.” I patted him on his arm. “If my mom could deal with all my baggage, I’m sure your mom can handle your situation.”
We had a good laugh, and then he sobered. “I’m sorry, Nat. I’m sorry that I put us in this position.”
“Don’t be. We only wanted to make our families happy.” I leaned in and hugged him. “Don’t ever settle for less than you deserve.”
Axel
—Two Weeks Later
“Where the hell have you been?” Dmitri asked with a perpetual scowl as I waltzed into the hospital room after Sorina gave birth to their child.
“Working on my project.” I grinned widely because Natalie and I were back on, and all was right in the world. So much so that I could tease again, to the point where it would piss D off. “Now, where’s my son?”
He only scowled darkly, as usual, and I made my way to Sorina, who held their son, Luca, in her arms. He was so tiny, and I stared in amazement. That would be Natalie and me in the near future.
It’d only been a few weeks since we reconciled, but we’d kept things close to the vest. She was attending a few classes at Hillside through the first summer session, then she was transferring to Tulane in the fall to finish out her bachelor’s and be with me in New Orleans.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see Natalie’s text.
I’m done with classes today.
