The Pairing (The Proposition #3)(71)

He turned into the driveway at ten after seven. He didn’t even get up the front porch steps before the door flew open, and Megan rushed out. Her diminutive figure wobbled a little on the black high heels she was sporting. She wore black pants, and a dressy red top that had a lot of beading. It reminded him of the kurta, a style that women from his culture wore. He wondered if she had chosen it for that reason.

“You look beautiful,” Pesh murmured, leaning in to kiss her tenderly. When she didn’t warm to his touch, he gazed down at her. “What’s wrong?”

Rolling her eyes, she snapped. “Duh, I’m really nervous.”

“You’re really that worried about my family’s opinion of you?”

She threw up her hands. “Of course, I am. Your family is very important to you. I don’t want…” She tore her gaze from his.

“You don’t want what?” he pressed.

“I don’t want to bring shame to you.”

He bit down on his lip to keep from laughing at her. He couldn’t believe Megan was so concerned with his family’s opinion. His heartbeat accelerated at the thought. It had to mean she really was falling in love with him. He brushed a silky strand of blonde hair out of her face. “Sweetheart, you’re not the first American girl I’ve brought home with me.”

“Yes, I’m well aware of that. I’m also aware of the fact of how well your family loved and accepted Jade. It might not be the same way with me.” She stared up at him. “I’m not like her, Pesh. I’m not meek and good-hearted.”

He shook his head. “That’s not true. You are good-hearted. I see that part of you each and every day.” Cupping her chin with his fingers, he brought her gaze to his. “You saw my brother, Dev. Through all of his missteps and antics, my parents still love him very much. So I promise you there is nothing you can do to where they won’t like you or where you’ll bring shame on me. Okay?”

She gave a reluctant nod. “Okay.”

Taking her by the hand, he led her off the porch. Once he’d gotten her in the car, he went around and slid into the driver’s seat. When Pesh cranked up the car, Megan gasped in horror. “What?” he asked.

She motioned to the clock on the dash. “Oh my God, we’re going to be late. Can I make a worse first impression?”

Pesh laughed. “Maybe I should tell you a few things, etiquette wise, so tonight will go a little easier.”

“What does that have to do with us being late?”

“Because it’s considered good form to arrive thirty minutes late.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Huh, I didn’t know that.”

“Well, how could you?”

“I tried doing a little research. I even watched Monsoon Wedding,” she said.

Pesh laughed. “Did you now?”

“Yeah, it was pretty good. I kinda hated there weren’t more dance numbers and songs.”

“Megan, I’m pretty sure none of my family is going to break out into song like in a Bollywood movie tonight,” he said, with amusement ringing in his voice.

She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t expect them to, smart-ass.”

He tsked at her. “So testy tonight.”

After exhaling a long breath, she gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry I’m so bitchy.”

“You’re not bitchy.”

“And you’re lying.”

“Regardless of your out-of-control emotions, I know that my family is going to love you just as much as I do.”

The moment the words left his lips he grimaced. There was the Big L word. They hadn’t actually exchanged it yet, and now he’d managed to screw up and say it before he could find the right time.

“Oh God, did you have to say that now? Like I’m not nervous enough!”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

Burying her head in her hands, she groaned. “This is...you are…I…”

“Look, you don’t—”

“I love you, too!” she shouted from behind her hands.

His hands jerked on the wheel, and he sent the car careening onto the emergency lane. When he recovered and got the car back into the right lane, he dared himself to look over at her. She peeked at him through her fingers. “I love you, Pesh. I really f**king do.”

“Oh Megan,” he whispered.

Pulling her hands away from her face, she gave him a genuine smile. “I love you more than any man I’ve ever known.”

“I love you more—” Suddenly he found himself unable to continue. Did he love her more than he had Jade? He had spent years with Jade and had only months with Megan. If he did love Megan more, what did that say about his relationship with Jade?

She reached over and took one of his hands in hers. “Hey, you don’t have to say what I said. Our situations are completely different.”

He clenched and unclenched his jaw. “No woman wants half a man’s heart,” he argued.

“But I know it isn’t half your heart. And I wouldn’t want you to stop loving me just because I died, so why would I expect you to do the same with Jade?”

“It’s not fair to you,” he croaked.