Page 32 of Protect Me
“Why not?”
Concern, more than surprise, filled her tone.
“Ah . . . let’s just say that for most of our childhood, I harbored a bit of a crush on him.”
Vinita burst out laughing. My cheeks flooded with heat. I ducked my head, checking out of the corner of my eye to make sure no one else approached. It would be mortally embarrassing if he happened to stroll into the shop right now.
Trust my luck for that.
“A bit of a crush?” Vini cried, giggling. “Katelyn, my darling, you were flat out hopeless and moon-eyed over him.”
My jaw dropped. “You knew?”
“Who didn’t?”
“Vikram,” I whispered, feeling the blood drain from my face. “Please tell me Vikram didn’t know.”
Vinita continued to giggle. “No, I don’t think he did. Truly. He saw you like a little sister, too busy with all the ladies his own age that he chased.” She sobered slightly. “As he should have because you were too young for him at the time. Regardless, why would that matter now?”
My throat nearly closed off. At my silence, Vini whispered, “Oh. Do you . . . do you still feel that way?”
Hiding anything from her was hopeless. “Maybe,” I wrenched out.
“Well.”
When no further reply came, I groaned and put my head in my hands.
“Vini, what am I going to do? I can’t find anywhere to stay. I have to be gone in the morning and everything is packed and . . . Timothy is out there now. I’ll never feel safe in a new place myself. What if . . . ”
“First of all,” Vini said with a little snap. “You’re safe. You’re going to be fine. Your rules have kept you physically safe—we won’t go into emotional ramifications right now, save that for later—and you’ll continue to do that. You are known and loved in Pineville. For the moment, itisthe safest place for you. Until we can move you to New York,” she added lightly.
I snorted.
She joked—we always did—because I’d never move that far from Pineville. I clung to it as the only place that belonged tome.
“Secondly, you might have a crush on my brother. Who doesn’t? He’s charming and beautiful and totally messed up in the head. Every woman’s dream. They all want to fix him and he loves that, then he runs away. That’s not you, right? It’ssonot you,” she said before I could answer. “Right now, we’re prioritizing your physical safety over everything. You need a place to stay and someone to keep you safe. That’s Vik.”
“What if Timothy comes?”
“Then good luck, brother,” she muttered. “Vik would tear his eyes out.”
Even with a knee injury, I silently agreed. Vikram could take a weasel like Timothy in a heartbeat.
Where had he been five years ago?
I closed my eyes. “You’re right. I’m being silly. Vikram is like my brother. He’s offering me a safe spot. I’m . . . grateful. I will take it with gratitude and thanks.”
Vini cheered. “Amma will be so proud! Besides,” she added grandly, clearly delighted, “what if somethingdidhappen between you and Vik? I’d absolutely die of happiness.Die,I tell you.”
“Vini, don’t you—“
“I won’t.” I pictured her holding two hands in the air in her usual dramatic way. “No meddling hens here, just know I’m rooting for you. How does that plan feel?”
The thought of staying with Vik released a burden from my chest. Until now, I hadn’t realized how much courage it had been pressing out of my heart. I closed my eyes and released a sigh.
“So much better.”
“Exactly. I’m here to help you through it. I swear it,” she said with a little trill, “my lips are sealed. Vikram will only know how much you’ve always loved him when you tell him the words yourself.”
