Page 76 of Not Your Basic Love Story

She smiled at me through her tears. “Because I love him.”

I couldn’t help but nod, feeling her pain.

“And his career won’t last forever. He’ll be home soon. His fame will fade. I’ll have him all to myself. I just can’t stand the idea of him being with anyone else, you know?”

“Love is one thing, but you shouldn’t wait around for someone to love you back. Take it from me.” I had already walked a mile in that particular brand of shoes, and had the blisters to prove it. Even if I had something more to say, some advice to give her, she wouldn’t listen. Love was blinding her, just as it had me.

There was a brief silence. I began formulating my excuse to go to bed when she said, “You know, I’ve always kind of envied you.”

I snorted a laugh. “What?”

“Yeah. You’re so confident. So capable. You don’t try to pretend to be anyone but yourself, even if yourself is kind of awkward and strange.”

“Um. Okay.”

“Plus, you and Miranda are like sisters. I’ve always wanted a sister.” She sniffed, a tear rolling down her cheek.

I patted her back. “Well if it makes you feel any better, the feeling is mutual."

“I’m so glad we’re friends now!” She laughed and hugged me, snorting and sniffing right in my ear. I continued patting her back awkwardly.

“Yeah. Me, too…”

She pulled away and touched the corners of her eyes to stop her mascara from running. “Anyways, I’m drunk. I need to go to bed. Goodnight.”

For a while, I sat outside in the chilly night air, enjoying the stillness. Miranda’s words came back to me, about disliking traits in others we didn’t like about ourselves. I could see a shadow of truth in that. This whole time, Nicole had been envious of my bond with Miranda, and I’d felt the same way. We’d been so intimidated by the other, so wrapped up in our insecurities, that we’d let it get in the way of getting to know each other. On top of it all, she was in a relationship rife with infidelity she didn’t want to leave, exactly as I had been.

I hoped Nicole would find the same good fortune I had.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Brunch with Priya’s parents the next day could have gone better.

Priya was obviously hungover. Jag and Shawan were not impressed. Shawan kept looking at me as if I was responsible for their daughter’s state which, to be frank, I kind of was. I’d dropped the ball, letting her and Angelina party alone in the condo, getting higher than kites and drinking an unknown amount of booze, while all three of the actual adults stayed out until two in the morning.

Jag graciously paid the bill and then offered to drive me home since they’d be passing through Vancouver on their way to Surrey. I accepted their offer gratefully, not eager to spend an hour on public transit.

The Sea to Sky highway is a windy one, and about ten minutes into the drive Priya was barfing. It was all I could do to keep myself together, helping her as much as I could—like brother, like sister.

Honestly, I was glad for the distraction. Otherwise, the awkward silence penetrating the car would have really gotten to me. There was so much to say, but also nothing. Where could I even begin?

Once I was home, showered, and recovering with a homemade Caesar, I FaceTimed Dev.

“Hey, gorgeous! How was your girl’s night out? I heard Priya had a fun time.”

I grimaced. “Well, I think it’s safe to say your low alcohol tolerance is genetic.”

He laughed. “Priya told me she was going to tell you all about Sikh weddings, how to prepare for them.”

Once again, I had so many questions that I didn’t know where to begin, not having had enough time to process all of the information Priya had laid on me.

Dev’s forehead furrowed. “Hope she didn’t overwhelm you. It’s really not that much that goes on. The ceremony itself doesn’t last more than a few hours. And getting ready, I’d imagine it would take a while no matter what type of wedding it is.”

“Five hundred people?”

“Ah.”

“When were you going to tell me there would be five hundred people?”

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