Page 33 of Married to Her Yeti
The blood drained from her face. What if he only wanted to talk because he had questions about the divorce paperwork? She was the one who insisted they officially divorce, but the thought of him handing her signed papers now made her nauseous.
She closed her eyes and forced herself to take a deep breath. No more “what-ifs.” The moment she saw Nima, she’d risk his rejection and bare her soul.
They encountered little traffic and were soon angling up Anchorage’s Hillside to Tseten’s. Mari nervously tapped her good foot as his house came into view. A cozy and welcoming Christmas tree draped in soft-white lights greeted them from his large living room windows. Hopefully, those vibes extended to Nima as well. If she were in his shoes, she might not be so openhearted right now.
Kat stopped the car, and Mari scrambled to hoist herself out of the vehicle before she cut the engine.
“Wait for me to help,” Kat called as she quickly strode around the car, but Mari was faster. She grabbed her crutches out of the back and then hobbled toward the house. As she did, the door opened. Her breath caught as Nima’s unmistakable silhouette filled the frame.
Mari would risk her heart and happiness on a second chance with Nima. She could no longer imagine her life without him by her side. Bruised ribs and a sprained ankle be damned, she would get down on her knees to beg him for a do-over, if that’s what it took. There was only one way to find out.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mari held her breath and ignored the ache in her side as she swung herself toward Nima. She hadn’t realized he’d moved until he was standing before her.
“You’re going to hurt yourself,” he rumbled as he gently scooped her into his arms. Her crutches fell to the snowy driveway as her stomach made a small swoop. From being lifted or because Nima held her in his arms again? Definitely the latter.
Tseten appeared at the door, waved, and said, “Evening, ladies,” before collecting Mari’s discarded crutches and gesturing toward the house. “Come on in.”
Nima carried Mari inside, while Tseten and Kat followed.
As Tseten closed the front door, he said, “What a lovely Christmas Eve surprise. Better than Santa himself.”
Kat held up a pizza box. “We even come bearing gifts.”
Mari frowned. “Wait, we’re asurprise? I texted Nima.”
Nima looked down at her and cocked his head. “I didn’t receive any texts from you.”
Well, that explained it. “I messaged to tell you I’d like to talk too,” she told him, then glanced at Tseten. “Sorry for showing up so late, I...”
Tseten raised a hand as if to stop her, a look of understanding on his face. “I don’t always get the best cell signal up here and you don’t need to explain yourself, Mari.” He got her. Despite years of her denial, Tseten had always suspected she still cared for Nima. He was right, and her chest expanded with gratitude that he’d never given up on them. Tseten had unfailingly provided her with updates about Nima for years, even when she’d acted ungrateful.
“Why don’t you two head up to the living room? You’ll have more privacy there,” Tseten said to her and Nima before turning to Kat. “Have you seen my new home theater? Go through that door and take aleft. Cue up any movie you’d like.” He held up his phone. “Rosa just returned home from midnight mass. I’ll join you after I talk to her.”
“Say hi to Rosa for us,” Kat said as she carried the pizza box toward the theater room. “I’m putting onDie Hard. Now that’smykind of Christmas movie.” She paused next to Nima, who still held Mari in his arms, and threatened, “If you break my sister’s heart again,you’regoing to need crutches.”
Nima, completely unruffled, said, “I appreciate your sisterly devotion, Kat. We both have Mari’s best interests at heart. Save me a slice of pizza.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of Mari’s mouth, hope springing at his words. Maybe she wasn’t too late after all. Nima carried her up the stairs to Tseten’s open-concept kitchen, dining, and living room. Nima set her on the end of the couch, across from the beautiful seven-foot Christmas tree by the window.
“Do you need anything?” he asked as he helped her out of her jacket.
“No, thank you.” She squirmed to face him as he perched beside her. She would crawl out of her skin if she didn’t immediately express her emotions. “I’ve been very selfish, Nima. And for that, I owe you an apology. After our trip, I was hurt and heartbroken. Inever considered your feelings. Over the last ten years, I thought only about myself,mypain. And for the last two days, everything I’ve said and done has been about me and my wants.”
Nima’s face was unreadable, but Mari pushed on. She wouldn’t lose her nerve now. “I spent so many years being angry with you and the world—cruel fates. But at the same time, it seemed like part of me would never be whole again. I thought the only way to fix myself was to file for divorce so I could move on. But now, I’m not so sure.” She shook her head. “My brain is telling me it’s safer for us to start over and be friends only. But my gut, my heart, and my soul disagree.” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “I don’t just want you as my friend. I want you by my side always and forever, even if that scares the shit out of me. But it’s what feels right.”
As Nima’s stunning aqua-blue gaze continued to search hers, she went for it, laid all her cards on the table. “Nima, I’m still in love with you. I always have been. Will you give me a second chance?”
Nima’s heartthundered as Mari’s words sankin. Marilovedhim. His chest was in danger of bursting. He was so full of amazement and happiness.
Careful of her ribs, he drew Mari into his lap, his lips grazing her forehead. “Inever stopped lovingyou. Over the years, I’ve learned that love doesn’t simply fade when you no longer see—or even talk to—someone day to day. I always knew in my heart that you were the only person for me. There will never be anyone else. Ever. You complete me, Mari.”
He pulled back to brush a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “So yes, I would be overjoyed to give you a second chance. And I hope you’re willing to give me the same opportunity. I want to support you and be by your side. To be your partner in life.”
Nima closed his eyes, then cast a glance at the paperwork still laid out on the kitchen island across the room. “I may not have known we were married all these years—and believe me, it kills me not to remember our ceremony and vows—but I couldn’t bring myself to sign the divorce papers. Not without talking to you again first and telling you how I feel.”
Mari sniffed. “When I saw your text, I was afraid you wanted to discuss details of the divorce. Imagining you signing the papers ripped my heart in two.”
