There's Something About Sweetie(92)

He leaned in to kiss her, and when she tasted salt on his lips, she realized she was crying again.

Sweetie sat at her desk, looking at the selfie of her and Ashish they’d taken Thursday night at the playground. It was dark, and there were shadows in all the wrong places on their faces, but she could still see the love, the light, shining out of them both. She’d never been this happy. Never.

It was the day of her seventeenth birthday party. She should be bubbling with excitement as she usually was, thinking of all the gifts her parents’ friends would bring. Because, to be completely honest, this birthday party thing was really for her parents to socialize with their friends and show off their (or rather, Amma’s) party-planning skills. Why else would they throw it on the morning of junior prom? Out of the seventy-five people invited, Sweetie had insisted on only five: Kayla, Suki, Izzy, Anjali Chechi, and Jason Chettan (who were technically both her and Amma’s guests). Ashish was the stealth guest of the day; he’d promised not to eat or drink anything, so as not to upset the delicate balance of food/drink-to-guest ratio that Amma had spent months perfecting.

Sweetie’s actual birthday wasn’t for another two weeks, but her parents had been worried all their friends would be vacationing and wouldn’t be able to come. Then who would see and be impressed by the peacock ice sculpture? The fully catered lunch and the open bar? Who? Which was usually fine, because more parental-unit friendlies meant more fabulous presents.

But Sweetie wasn’t as excited as she usually was. The day outside was weirdly overcast, which matched her mood pretty well. It could all go horribly wrong today. Sweetie hoped it wouldn’t … but she also knew Amma. She felt like she’d been training the last month for this one day. This was her big relationship meet.

Ashish had insisted on making a list last night when she’d confessed to him how afraid she really was that things would go completely awry. Ashish was weirdly optimistic for having such a smirky-jock persona. She studied his list with a half smile.

Why Sweetie’s Parents Will Love Ashish and Totally Agree to the Dating Thing

Ashish’s cute smile



Ashish’s impeccable sense of dress



The flowers Ashish will bring for Sweetie’s mom



The toffees Ashish will bring for Sweetie’s dad



The fact that Ashish is a killer ballplayer



Ashish makes Sweetie happy



Cute butt





Sweetie laughed when she read that last one. She hadn’t seen it last night; he’d obviously added it on when she wasn’t looking. She flipped the page to read the list on the back, which she’d written. (Ashish’s editorializing was in parentheses.)

Why Sweetie’s Parents Will Hate Ashish and Totally Kick Both Their Butts

They’ve dated for more than a month in secret. (But what’s a month in the grand scheme of things? Seriously. A month is like a blink to adults. Like half a sneeze.)



Sweetie hasn’t lost any weight since the last discussion with Amma re: dating Ashish. (Your Amma will see that I think you’re the most beautiful girl in the world, so this is a moot point.)



Amma specifically said no to Ashish … not just to dating any boy, but specifically to Ashish. (Has Amma ever met Ashish? Mm-hmm, didn’t think so. My superpower is charming any adult. Not even kidding. Just cross this off your list now.)





Smiling, Sweetie folded the page and tucked it into a notebook at the bottom of her drawer. To be honest, she was looking forward to the hiding and lying being over, one way or another. Her phone beeped.

Kayla: I can’t believe your parents are throwing this party the day of prom

I know right?

So I have to get my hair and makeup done …

WHAT???! You have to come! I told you, A is going to be here. I need support

You think I’d miss that? I just need to leave by 2:30. So if you could spill the beans before then … I got the latest appt I could

Thanks. I’ll definitely tell them before then. Otherwise I’ll burst

So. I hate to be the pessimist but what if they say no? Will you still go to prom?

Idk … I thought about it too. If I go I’d have to go without Ashish but Idk if I could

Don’t blame you. Love you

Love you too

Sweetie set the phone aside and walked to her closet. She opened the door and stroked the dress she’d be wearing to the party, which was also going to be her prom dress. Two big surprises in one day. Poor Amma.





CHAPTER 31





Ashish looked in the floor-length mirror in the corner of his room.

Steel-blue button-down shirt tucked into pants: check (Ma had told him it made his eyes really pop, and dang if she wasn’t right).

Khaki pants: check.

Black shoes buffed to a glossy shine: check (and thank you, Myrna, for saving him at the last minute from applying what had actually been car grease instead of shoe polish). (To be fair, Ashish never ventured into that part of the house, and the jars weren’t labeled.)

Hair neatly combed instead of stylishly spiked as usual: check.

Face neatly shaved: check.

He smoothed down his shirt and took a deep breath. He’d done everything he could; this was it. In ten minutes he’d be leaving for the party. And then … either things would be amazing or they’d flop.