Page 24 of Bad At Love

A thrill zinged through her and she wondered if her body understood something that her mind was still grappling with.

10

Chaaru re-touched her under-eye concealer and lip gloss at the musty airport restroom. The long workday, then the flight from Seattle to Cancun had wrecked her. But the fact that she would see DP any minute now had her checking and rechecking her appearance like a teen.

A thin gold chain with a tiny diamond pendant and matching studs—a gift from Mona for her fortieth—dressed up the simple peach-colored sundress. The small pendant glinted when the light hit it just right. Quickly, she braided her hair and let it hang over her shoulder.

Employing her meagre spying skills, she’d figured out DP was flying in today from SFO after spending Christmas with Maggie. Then she’d changed her flight so that she’d land within an hour of him. Her nerves vibrated now at the idea of seeing him soon.

This was DP, she reminded herself. He’d seen her at her worst—chewed up and spit out after Ravi had finally divorced her, held her hand when she’d taken tentative steps towards freedom.

Taking a deep breath, she vowed to stop letting past fears dictate her present. Never mind that her inhale was a strange potpourri of bleach, pee and her own rosewater scent.

Her phone chirped. The text was from DP’s younger sister Maggie, who was studying premed at Berkeley. Chaaru scanned her text with a sinking heart.

‘Why’s DP visiting mountaineering groups here in SFO? Those guys are hardcore, traveling eight months out of a year. Also, he barely spent time with me on this trip.’

DP was visiting mountaineering groups in SFO? Was he planning to move there? To get away from her?

Chaaru typed,‘Don’t know.’

Maggie’s next text was instant.‘You two fight?’

‘No. Just been busy!’

‘Talk to him plz. Something’s off!’

‘Will do! Don’t worry.’Chaaru texted back.‘Study hard and play hard.’She added, just to throw Maggie off.

While TJ was mostly emotionally clueless, DP’s sister was a fierce little thing when it came to her older brother.

All the doubts that had haunted Chaaru about crossing into new territory with him died an instant death at the idea of him moving away. Not seeing him open a box of leftovers she’d packed for him and smile in that warm way of his, not seeing his large body draped over her tiny couch, not having the comfort of his hugs when she was down.

Her life would be a sterile house versus the messy, joyful, cozy home it had grown into with him around. And she knew, with crystal-clear clarity, that she was ready for more.

Straightening her not-so slender shoulders, Chaaru marched out of the bathroom, ready for the biggest gamble of her life.

11

DP had just paid for his coffee when he heard his name. In the crowd of faceless strangers, Chaaru’s smile was like a rainbow hiding among thick clouds and his chest expanded as if to make more space for his thundering heart.

Despite his resolve to resist falling deeper into her lure, he felt like a starving man looking at a seven-course meal. Her skin gleamed against the peach-colored dress, the V of its neckline calling attention to her breasts. Black heels with straps tied around her ankles made her even taller. With every step she took, the linen tangled around her thick thighs. God, the legs on this woman and what he wouldn’t give to worship them.

She looked like a warrior woman from Mona’s daughter’s comics, all lean strength and long limbs. Sexy as hell and owning it. And damn if his cock didn’t come to instant attention.

Her braid danced on one shoulder, the edges kissing the tips of her breast. He could just imagine winding that thick length around his fingers while he lifted that sundress and plunged himself deep inside her and…

Cheeks flaming, he schooled his features into not betraying his lurid thoughts. He was working on getting used to life with her as a friend in the margins but it wasn’t going to happen overnight. He needed distance and time to loosen her grip on his heart.

A week in Cancun with her right now was pure torment, but canceling on Mona and Dom at the last minute wasn’t even an option.

“Hey DP,” she said, reaching him.

When he thought she might hug him, he lifted his cup and took a sip. It was mean-spirited and didn’t escape her notice, but right then, he felt as fragile as frayed rope.

Her smile dimmed, though her brown eyes took him in with her usual thoroughness. If it felt like they lingered a second too long on his shoulders, he told himself he was imagining things. “I thought you were getting here the day before yesterday with Mona.”

“I changed my flight,” she said, trailing a fingertip under his eye. The butterfly touch gone before he could savor it. “Not sleeping well?”

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