Hush (19 page)

“Now?” I asked.

Her smile lit her face. “Great! Mae show- what’s your name?” she asked.

“Sloane,” I said.

“Sho
w Sloane how to work the register
and espresso machine.”

“Okay, Grannie. Do you need help to the back?” Mae put out a helping hand but Alice batted it away.

“I’ll get back there just like I got out here; on my own two feet,” Alice harrumphed and then shuffled away.

“She’s a spit-fire,” I said.

Mae laughed. “She’s a pistol alright. Come on,” she motioned with her head behind the counter. “This is the register,” she pointed to an antique monstrous contraption. “It’s intimidating, I know,” she said upon seeing my face. “But fortunately it’s not that hard to work.” She went through the instructions and then led me to a back room where an equally intimidating espresso machine sat with a cluster of odd little coffee cups around it.

“We always offer our customers a complimentary cup of coffee,” she said and shrugged. “Grannie said it’s called hospitality. When I reminded her that this was a store and not a house she turned her nose up at me.” Mae’s blue eyes sparkled. They were a shade darker than Alice’s. Mae ran through the instructions and then said, “If you ever forget they’re written down here. Just don’t tell Grannie,” she giggled.

“No problem,” I said.

“Think you can man the front? I’m trying to help grannie with some paperwork,” her voice was soft but with a husky undertone to it.

“I’ve got it,” I said.

“Great!” she smiled and clapped. “If you need me, just holler. Come on Astor,” she said. The wheaten terrier looked longingly at me and then trotted after Mae. I took my post at the register where Ruby resided on the counter. She promptly turned her green eyes on me and hissed. I knew we were just going to be great friends.

* * *

A part of me couldn’t believe that I had quit my job at Avid News and the other part of me was ecstatic to be doing something different. Mae and Alice were great and made me laugh. They were so accepting of me. I felt like I was part of their family and I had only met them hours ago. We were practically strangers. I was helping Mae and Alice close the store when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket. Siva.

“Go ahead and get it, dear,” said Alice.

“Thanks,” I told her. “Siva?” I asked answering the phone.

“Sloane, where are you? Are you okay? I haven’t heard from you,” he rambled into the phone.

“Slow down. I’m fine,” I said. “I got a job actually,” I said and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

“That was fast,” he said. “Where?” he asked.

“Callahan’s Books,” I said.

“I have no idea where that is but I’m coming to get you. Don’t you dare get in a taxi,” he said.

I rattled off the directions and he promised to be there soon.

I sighed and turned to Mae and Alice. Alice was grinning at me. “Is that your young man?” she asked.

I laughed. “My very protective man,” I said.

“My Willie was like that. Bless his soul,” she said. She turned to Mae. “Let’s wait for Sloane’s young lad to get here before we go. I hate for her to be here by herself,” she patted Mae’s hand.

Mae rolled her eyes and flicked a wild pink strand from her face. “Grannie just wants to see him,” she said.

“I do not,” said Alice and stomped on Mae’s foot.

“Ow,” Mae said and rubbed her foot.

“You can go on. I’m fine,” I said.

Alice looked sternly at me. “Nonsense, child.”

Mae looked at me. “There’s no point in arguing with her. She’s a stubborn thing.”

“You’ve got that right,” said Alice.

I laughed at them. I was really going to enjoy working here.

Fifteen or so minutes
later
Siva pulled up
to
the curb. Alice and Mae shuffled outside
to see him
.

“Mae, Alice, this is Siva. Siva, this is Mae and Alice,” I pointed to everyone.

“Nice to meet you,” he said.

Mae looked mesmerized. Alice looked Siva up and down and said, “You be good to our girl, now,” she said.

“I wouldn’t be any other way,” said Siva.

Alice glanced at me. “You did good,” she said.

I laughed.

“Now if only Mae could find a nice young man,” she commented.

“Grannie!” cried Mae.

Siva chuckled. “Well, it was nice to meet you ladies,” he kissed their hands and I swear they both swooned.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” I called as they started down the street.

Siva got the car door for me. He was chuckling as he climbed inside.

“What?” I asked.

He chuckled some more. “Only you could find a job an hour after quitting another.”

I joined in his laughter. “It was kind of an on the site decision. They weren’t even hiring,” I said.

He laughed. “That makes it even better.”

“You’re in a good mood,” I said. “Does this have anything to do with your mysterious
plans
?” I asked, using air quotes.

He chuckled. “Maybe.”

“Should I change for these plans?” I asked.

“No,” he said and I saw then that he was dressed similarly.
Jeans and a black sw
eat
er.

He drove through central London and came to a stop in front of a fancy hotel. The parking attendant opened my door. Siva handed him the keys and then took my hand.

“Where are we going?” I asked as he led me into the hotel.

“Dinner,” he said and turned left into the hotel’s restaurant.

“Siva,” I said warningly. “This place probably costs an arm and a leg.”

“It’s fine, Sloane,” he said. “Don’t ruin this night for me,” his violet eyes flashed.

“Name?” asked the hostess.

“Reservation for two under the name Kapur,” said Siva.

“Right this way, sir,” the hostess grabbed two menus and led us to a private back room. Everything was done in black and gold and
cr
eam
. Before the hostess left Siva ordered a bottle of wine.

We sat across from each other. Siva smiled at me. “Do try and enjoy yourself Sloane.”

“I am,” I said.

“You look like you swallowed something sour,” he said.

I smiled. “It just seems a bit much,” I commented looking around.

“Nothing is ever too much for you,” he said.

A waiter came to get our order. We both ordered a steak that cost three times what it should.

Siva took my hand from where it rested on the table. His fingers gently massaged my knuckles.
I downcast my eyes.
I couldn’t meet that intense violet eyed stare. It was just too much.

“Come here,” he said.

“Why?” I smiled slightly.

“Because I want you to,” he said.

I stood and he pulled me down into his lap. His fingers tangled in my multi-hued hair. He pulled my mouth down to meet his. His mouth was warm against mine and clouded my senses. When Siva kissed me I couldn’t think. It’s like
my
brain decided to up and leave whenever his lips touched mine. My heart beat sped up. Finally, I pulled away breathless.

“Siva,” I said on a breath, “What if someone comes in?”

He laughed. “Then they’ll see me kissing a beautiful woman.” He glanced at the table. “Looks like they already did.”

I looked behind me at the table. Our food had been brought and I hadn’t even noticed anyone coming or going. That’s what Siva’s kisses did to me.

I crawled out of his lap as dignified as I could. He chuckled and wiped lip gloss from his mouth.

“Laugh while you can,” I said.

“Oh I am,” he said. “Wine?” he smirked.

“I think you know the answer to that,” I said. He laughed and poured himself a glass.

We ate in silence, stealing glances at one another, and as the evening progressed Siva seemed to become more and more nervous. He kept clearing his throat and tugging on his sweater. He paid for the meal and cleared his throat once more.

“Fancy a walk?” he asked.

“It’s kind of chilly but yeah,” I said.

“Good,” he said and seemed relieved.

He took my hand and led me from the restaurant and out of the hotel. We walked across the street to Hyde Park. The night was nippy and the stars shone brightly. The moon was nothing but a crescent. He led me deeper into the park. Lights were spaced at intervals marking the path. Despite the chilly air Siva’s palm was sweating in mine.

“Siva where are we going?” I asked.

“Almost there,” he said. “Almost.”

He stopped in front of the Serpentine; a lake in the middle of the park.

“Sloane, I know we haven’t known each other long,” he said taking both of my hands, “and I know at times I’ve been a complete arse to you,” his lips quirked the scar flashing in the moonlight. “But I love you. I never thought I would say that to anyone. But you’ve bewitched me, captured my heart,
tamed
the beast. Take your pick, Sloane. You’ve melted my frozen heart and I want the world to know that you’re mine. I never thought I could love anyone but then I met you and I find myself wanting things that I’ve never wanted before. I want you to be mine forever.” He pulled a small dark box from his pocket and got down on one knee.

“Oh God,” I said, “Oh my God.” Tears began to leak out of my eyes. “Siva,” I gasped.

He took my hands in his. “Sloane,” he said and his voice was thick like he was trying to hold back his own tears. “Please say you’ll be my wife?”

The tears relentless down my face now. My heart felt like it may burst. I loved this man more than I had ever believed it was possible to love someone. But I couldn’t find the words to answer him. My throat had closed up.

“Sloane?” he asked, nerves making his voice sound strange. “Will you be my wife?” he asked again.

I swallowed around the large lump in my throat.

“Yes,” I breathed.

He stood and his arms wrapped around me. He twirled me and I squealed like a little girl. He kissed my cheeks, my forehead, my hair, my eyelids, and finally my lips. He lowered me to the ground and deepened the kiss. He pulled away and put his forehead against mine which was difficult with the height difference. “I wasn’t sure you were going to say yes,” he breathed.

I shook my head. “I love you. Why would I say no?”

He chuckled. “I’m difficult, I’m moody, and I’m many other things Sloane. I thought those many things might be too much for you. And after what you walked into- well I thought you might say no. I had planned to fly out to Savannah and do this but I figured you needed some cooling off time.”

“You may be all that, Siva, but you’re all that and
mine
,” I said. He laughed once more before lifting me from the ground and kissing me.

He put me down and opened the box. “Oh it’s beautiful, Siva,” I gasped taking in the ring.

He slipped it onto my finger. “It was my mom’s,” he said and then kissed the ring.

It was a marquise cut sapphire with diamonds running down the band. The top diamonds branched off from the ring and cradled the sapphire.

I wrapped my arms around Siva’s neck and kissed him. “I love you,” I sighed.

“I love you, my future wife,” he said and kissed me once more.

Chapter Fifteen

Siva held my hand and his fingers kept playing with the ring now on my finger. The whole thing seemed so surreal.

“Did you really just propose to me?” I asked as he turned down the street that led to his flat. I felt like I was dreaming. Never in a million years had I ever thought that Siva would ask me to marry him. And after only knowing each other for six or so months and dating even less than that? I was sure I must have been transported to some parallel universe.

Siva chuckled and squeezed my hand. “Yes, I’m pretty sure I did.”

“Wow,” I said.

“Wow,” he second.

He turned into the garage. “Are you… having doubts?” he asked.

“No,” I breathed. “Just making sure this is real.”

He laughed. “You weren’t sure?”

“No, I wasn’t. I didn’t really think you were the, tied down, marrying, type,” I said.

He put the car in park. Siva sighed and rubbed his face. “I wasn’t until I met you. Now I find myself wanting things I never wanted before. It’s strange for me. But now I want nothing more than for you to be my wife,” he said. He laughed to himself and played with my hand. “You know… I had planned to fly out to your mum’s and propose to you there. But-”

“But I walked in on you and Alexa,” I nodded.

“Yes,” he said. “I was horror stricken to say the least. I thought I was going to lose you over something so
stupid
. I was… angry. Angrier than I’ve ever been in my entire life Sloane and I’ve been angry many times. My anger scared Alexa. I fired her and screamed at her and frankly? I wanted to put my hands around her throat and strangle her. My behavior was unforgivable.” He chuckled. “Jacob came back and found me. I had made quite a mess of the place by then. He helped me up and then punched me. Punched me!” Siva laughed. “I fell down on my arse and he pointed his finger at me. ‘
Sloane,
is a nice woman.
A nice woman that is in love with you for some unknown reason.
I don’t know what you were doing with that woman but you need to get off your sorry arse and find her and explain. Do it now, you no good piece of shit.’”

“Sounds harsh,” I said with a laugh. I was surprised Siva hadn’t fired Jacob for that comment and the punch.
But I knew Jacob was his friend before business.

“Far from it. It was just what I needed. I went to the airport to find you but instead you found me. I hoped you’d understand and believe me. And you said you did but I knew you needed some cooling off time and I knew there was no way I could propose to you after that. I knew I had to wait until you came back and I knew for sure where we stood.” His hand came up to cup my cheek. “Sloane, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I loved you sooner.”

“You’ve told me now.” I said. “And besides, I should have told you too. I just didn’t want to scare you.”

“Scare me?” he chuckled.

“I was under the impression that you were a commitment phobe.”

“Right,” he said. “I see why you didn’t.” He opened the car door but then stopped and turned to look at me. “Sloane, I want you to know that I understand that I have a lot to make up for in my life and I’m trying.”

“I know, Siva,” I said and got out of the car.

His fingers entwined with mine and he pressed the elevator button. “I
will
be good enough for you, Sloane,” he said.

I smiled at him. “Siva, you already are.”

“No,” he shook his head.

I decided to let it drop. I didn’t feel like arguing with him. After all, we had just got
engaged,
I didn’t want anything to sour my mood.

“Should we tell my mom
?” I asked as the elevator rose.

He winced. “She doesn’t even know me,” he said.

I grinned. “She’ll have to know you now.” The elevator doors slid open and I dragged Siva into the family room where I had left my laptop. “I showed her how to work the video chat while I was home.  I hope she remembers,” I said powering it up.

Siva flopped on the couch like a sullen child. “What if she doesn’t like me? I’m not exactly prince charming,” he groaned and rubbed his eyes.

“I’m the one that’s marrying you, not my mother, so I have to like you, not her. And you are prince charming, my prince charming,” I said and squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry,” I said.

T
he green light was on, indicating that my mom was logged on, so I hit the button to request a chat. A moment later my fussing mother appeared on the screen.

“This thing is for the birds. My goodness, how do you work this thing? Oh-” she said noticing me and Siva. “It works.”

I laughed while Siva squeezed my hand in a death grip. I was quickly losing the circulation. “Hey mom, this is Siva,” I said and pointed at him.

“He’s a keeper,” she winked.

“
Moooom
!” I said mortified.

“
Ello
’,” said Siva. “It’s nice to meet you even if it is through a computer.”

My mom giggled like a catholic school girl. “You must come visit,” she said.

“Of course,” he said. “And I will arrange for you to visit us sometime soon. I’m sure Sloane will need your help,” Siva looked at me significantly. I gulped. I had thought I was ready to tell her but now I wasn’t so sure.

“With what? What do you need help with Sloanie?”

“Sloanie?” Siva chuckled. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“What is it?” she prompted.

I help up my left hand. The sapphire and diamonds sparkled.

“Oh my God,” my mom said and fell out of her chair.

“Mom? Mom!” I said getting worried.

“I’m okay,” she said and her hand appeared on the screen as she climbed back into the kitchen chair. “You just gave me quite a shock. I wasn’t expecting that. Engaged?” she panted.

“Yes,” I said and looked at Siva.

“Wow, that’s… sudden,” she said.

“When you know you just… know,” I shrugged.

“Well, I’m happy for you,” she said and gave me a weak smile. “Have you set a date?” she asked.

“No,” I said. “This just happened a little while ago.”

“Oh,” she said. “Keep me posted, sweetie. I have to go,” she said. “I love you. Congratulations. Oh and it was nice to meet you Siva,” she said.

“Love you too,” I said. Siva waved and then she clicked off. “That was odd,” I said turning to Siva.

He rubbed my shoulder. “She’s just shocked is
all.
We haven’t been dating long,” he reasoned.

“That must be it,” I murmured.

* * *

“Grannie!” called Mae. “You have to see Sloane’s ring! Looks like boyfriend decided to make things permanent,” she said twisting my hand so the sapphire sparkled in the different light.

Alice hobbled in. “What is it child?” she squinted.

Mae dragged me by my hand towards Alice. “Look Grannie! Sloane got engaged last night!”

Alic
e peeped at me. Her gray hair was pulled back in a bun. I didn’t know how she had enough hair to manage it. “Engaged? Then what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be celebrating?”

I laughed. “I have to work,” I said.

“Right,” Alice nodded. “It’s a beautiful ring,” she added.

“Thank you,” I said.

Alice shuffled on to the back.

Mae sighed and looked at me. “Grannie thinks I need to get married. But I’m only nineteen. I mean come on, let me live a little.”

“I’m going to die soon!” called Alice from the back. “I’d like the chance to meet my great-great-grandchild before I go.”

Mae laughed. “See,” she pointed to the back of
fice, “what I have to deal with?
It’s ridiculous.”

“You know you love me!” called Alice.

Mae rolled her eyes at me. “Half the time she acts like she can’t hear when one hundred percent of the time she hears everything,” Mae sighed and taped her fingers against the counter.

“Get to work Mae and stop flapping your lips!” Alice yelled.

Mae threw her hands up in a helpless gesture. “Yes grannie!”

Mae went off to organize a shelf of books. I shook my head. Their easy banter was uplifting. They acted more like
mother and daughter than
great-grandmother and
great-
grandchild.

From across the room Mae shelved a book and said, “I can’t believe you’re marrying Siva Kapur.
I thought he was more of a play
boy.”

I sighed. “I can’t either. But- he’s so different now than when I first met him.”

“How so?” she asked pulling her bubblegum pink hair up off her neck and then letting it drop.

“Less angry,” I said. “He smiles more, laughs, acts like an actual person. He seems happy now,” I said.

Mae smiled. “I hope you guys are happy and stay happy.”

“I do too,” I said.

* * *

I walked around the corner from Callahan’s Books to a little café. I had called Lyndi last night to see if she could meet me for lunch.

“Sloane!” she called from a corner table. I wound my way
through and
plopped down at the table. “Long time no see,” she joked.

I smiled at her. “Has April found my replacement yet?”

“No,” she said. “It’s been a day. I doubt she’s going to find an adequate replacement in twenty-four hours.”

I laughed. “You’re right.”

A waiter came by and we ordered our drinks and a sandwich.

“So…” prompted Lyndi. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t invite me to lunch because you missed my pretty face that much-” she batted her lashes. “So, what’s up?”

I placed my left hand on the table. She didn’t catch the hint so I pretended to mess with my hair. Her eyes zeroed in on the ring.

“Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my
gawd
!
” she screamed in the restaurant. She jumped out of her seat and hugged me. “Sloane! Congrats! The invisible man put a ring on it!”

“He did,” I said.

“I can’t believe it,” she said, sitting back down. “I will be a bridesmaid right?” she asked.

“Of course,” I said.

That is if we don’t elope first. I never was the big poufy dress type.

“Are you excited?” she asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m still kind of shocked. I wasn’t expecting it, you know?”

Lyndi laughed. “No, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never dated a crazy guy before.”

I narrowed my eyes at the pretty blonde. “He’s not crazy.”

Lyndi sighed dramatically. “Oh Sloane. When will you learn to take a joke? You’re too defensive,” she sipped her water.

“You just- you don’t know him Lyndi. I don’t like it when you say stuff like that,” I shrugged my shoulders and ran my fingers through my hair.

Lyndi drew a finely manicured finger across her lips in a zipping motion. “Okay, I promise to be on my best behavior,” she said.

“Thanks,” I mumbled.

“I’ll even help you go dress shopping,” she winked.

I laughed. “That would be much appreciated.”

“I’m thinking big, poufy, southern debutant gown,” she said.

“Nope, no way,” I said, shaking my head with a laugh.

“Aw fine,” she laughed.

We ate our lunch and hugged goodbye.

“Thanks for being such a great friend,” I said.

She smiled. “Thanks for letting me
be
your friend.”

She turned in the direction of Avid News and I headed for Callahan’s Books with a smile on my face.