Page 31 of Married to Her Yeti
“It was Burning Man.” Mari shrugged, unsurehow to convey everything that had happened. “It’s a long—and convoluted—story.”
“Okay...” Kat’s eyebrow arched, clearly wanting to push the issue. But she must have seen reluctance in Mari’s expression because she asked, “And when did you ask for a divorce? Has he just been sitting on the divorce papers?” She probably thought Mari had served Nima the papers years ago.
“No. I asked only a few seconds before the earthquake.” Mari’s eyes welled with fresh tears as she recalled the look on Nima’s face when she’d made the request. “Then the tree snapped, and it fell on me.” She snorted a laugh as she cried harder. “Oh my god, was that karma?”
“What? Fuck no, Mari. Why would you even think that?”
Mari’s lips trembled as she said, “Because all these years, I never gave him a chance to tell me what really happened on our wedding night and the days that followed. And I’m terrified I’m about to lose him again.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When Tseten returned home later that evening, Nima was still standing dazed at the kitchen counter. He’d dragged his hand through the fur on the top of his head so many times, it likely stood on end. Lost in a mix of memories and emotions, he realized too late that Tseten could see the wedding rings lying next to the divorce papers.
Tseten placed a bag on the counter as he studied Nima. “I gotta be honest. Right now,youlook like the one who got hit by a hundred-foot-tall spruce tree. I thought you were going to be staying with Mari for a while, playing nurse? Did something happen?”
Nima pictured himself sleeping in the chair next to Mari’s bedside, cooking dinner for her and sittingdown to a shared meal, relaxing on the couch for movie night, lifting her in and out of the tub, and spreading her beautiful, curvy body out on the sheets beneath him. He’d had a glimpse of what his life might have been like.
A few moments later when Tseten asked, “Are you okay?” Nima realized he hadn’t answered.
“My time with Mari was perfect.” A dream come true.
“That’s great. I was hoping the two of you would finally work things out. So, why are you here then?” Tseten asked as he began pulling leftovers out of his bag—Pema’s momos from the looks of it. Normally Nima would have been salivating at the opportunity to feast on her legendary Tibetan dumplings. But tonight he was too preoccupied.
“Kat came home,” Nima explained as Tseten transferred containers into his refrigerator. “She returned from Hawaii early to take care of Mari.”
Tseten glanced at Nima with a frown. “When Kat and her parents texted asking after Mari, I tried to reassure them she was okay. I stuck to the facts. But I didn’t mention you, since I wasn’t sure how they’d react, given how Kat has always seemed to blame you for, well, breaking Mari’s heart. I know I shouldn’t mix myself up in all this, but I wanted youand Mari to have time to...” he trailed off and shrugged, “clear the air and reconnect, I guess.”
“Mari wasn’t the only one with a broken heart,” Nima said, realizing he’d buried his hand in the fur on the top of his head again and immediately dropped his arm. “But she and I did reconnect. I think we have a solid base for a friendship.”
“That sounds encouraging.” Tseten’s eyebrows rose along with his optimism. “I mean, given mutual broken hearts and that you haven’t spoken in ten years.”
“If all I can have with Mari is a friendship, I’ll take it,” Nima admitted. “Three days ago, that would have thrilled me.”
“But now?” Tseten’s gaze swept over the rings and papers on the counter.
Nima picked up the rings. “But now I want so much more.”
Tseten eyed the silver bands. “You want a commitment ceremony?”
“I want a marriage,” Nima corrected.
Huffing a laugh, Tseten said, “Don’t want to burst your bubble, but, uh, you’re still a yeti. A legal marriage requires identification and an in-person trip to the courthouse. We don’t do in-person trips to the courthouse.” Seemingly flustered,he shook his head.
“Before our trip to Nevada, I would have agreed with you. But we visited a courthouse and obtained a marriage license. According to Mari, we married a few days later in a ceremony at Burning Man. Unfortunately, I have very few solid memories of it—a hot day in the desert and too much unfamiliar food and drink from strangers—including what I suspect were psychedelic mushrooms.” He glanced over at Tseten. “We’ve been legally married all these years, and I didn’t know it.”
“Magic mushrooms? Married?” Tseten dropped onto a stool. “I can’t believe Mari kept this to herself for a decade.”
Nima nodded, chest aching again for what he and Mari had lost, and for what she had endured. “And now she wants a divorce.” He absentmindedly straightened the papers. “It’s a reasonable request, and I’m surprised she didn’t do it sooner. But...” he trailed off, his gut clenching with apprehension.
“But?” Tseten echoed.
Nima glanced at his friend. “But I never stopped loving Mari. And for the last two days, I’ve had a taste of what our life could have been like. I still want her to be my wife.”
Tseten slowly crossed his arms. “Have you told Mari?”
How could he? Discouraged, Nima shook his head. “She’s been very clear and upfront. She wants a divorce and friendship—nothing more. And I want her to be happy.”
Tseten slowly nodded, as if he understood, but then in a deep, sage-like voice asked, “What if telling Mari how you really feel will make her the happiest?”
