Page 34 of Pomegranate Kiss

“I’m at a law firm in the city. Prosecution,” he said, offering a polite smile as he took his first taste of the soup. He let out a low noise in his throat. “Mrs. Muhuri, this is delicious.”

“My wife’s cooking never fails to remind us of home. Our daughter spent years as a chef as well.” Her father stepped in, trying to sell her as best as possible.

“Though I quit that job and I’m back to school now.” Cam couldn’t help herself, wanting to be out of this situation ten minutes ago.

“Your father said you were finishing up a graphic design degree?” Nazir asked. “I didn’t realize you were so multi-talented.”

Ugh, her parents had given him every single detail about her. She hated this surprise attack from the moment it began. Truth be told, Nazir was handsome, held down a great job, and had already earned her parent’s approval. He should be the whole package.

Yet Lex pretty much ruined her for men. Really, for anyone else.

Every time she caught Nazir’s gaze drift her way, all she could think of was the scorching way Lex scanned over her and the glow of her hazel eyes. When Lex looked at her, she saw every insecurity, every secret she hid away, and accepted them anyway. Nazir’s stare remained superficial, not permeating past skin.

“Truly, it’s not talent,” she said, “just an indecisive nature, I suppose.”

“Modest as well,” Nazir continued, his grin widening. “I can appreciate that.”

Strike her down now, this man would not stop. His persistence didn’t seem so dissimilar from Lex’s aggression, truth be told, but the difference was her interest. When Lex had pursued, Cam wanted the attention, even if she hadn’t been willing to admit it yet. This felt manufactured, hollow in comparison.

Cam forced down another couple of spoonfuls, eager to excuse herself from the table. She lapsed into silence while her parents continued to grill Nazir. They heaped praises upon him with each question he successfully answered, each box he ticked off their perfect son-in-law checklist. Cam wasn’t naïve, she knew what her parents had planned from the moment her father walked through the door with him.

Yet, there was a significant part of her they didn’t know about. One that would make any heterosexual arranged marriage a nightmare. One she’d only just started to acknowledge herself.

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to excuse myself for a moment,” Cam said, pushing up from the table and bringing her bowl with her over to the sink. Somehow, she’d stomached the food, but it churned right now. The squeak of a chair across the hardwood followed as she stepped into her parent’s living room and placed a hand over her forehead.

She blazed right now, anger flaring inside her and mingling with the ripped canvas of her pain at the loss of the closest to true happiness she’d come. Not like she could tell her parents anything about her relationship with Lex either, without opening a door that might get slammed back in her face.

Footsteps padded behind her.

Cam turned around as her mother approached.

“Camilla, you’re being rude to our guest,” her mother said in a low, quiet voice, the kindness leeched away.

“Care to tell me why he’s here then?” Cam challenged. “Maybe he would’ve gotten a politer reception if I’d been prepared rather than ambushed.”

Her mother glanced to the ground before looking into her eyes. “You’ve been single for far too long, my love. I know you wanted your time to find the right man for you, but you’re getting older. Your father and I felt it best we intercede. Nazir is from a good, Bangladeshi family, and he’s perfect for you in every way—a successful lawyer, handsome, and kind. You couldn’t ask for a better husband.”

Bile rose in Cam’s throat. An arranged marriage. That was what she feared.

Too bad for you, I’m gaystuck in her throat. She wanted to rebel against this with all her heart, but she heard the careful edge to her mother’s tone. They wouldn’t budge on this one, andshe’d just started back in school. She couldn’t swing commuting from her apartment in Charleston right now, and she couldn’t afford two rents.

“Let me get to know him first, mama,” Cam asked, a cajoling tone in her voice as she pushed for a compromise. “I know you and father were arranged by your parents, but you raised me here, where we do things differently. He seems nice. I was just overwhelmed.”

Her mother pursed her lips, but then she smiled and nodded. “Good girl. You’ll come to care for him in no time. It was like that for me when I first met your father. I was so scared and nervous. I wanted to be a good bride, and I didn’t know what sort of husband he would be. I’m thankful to this day for what a perfect man I married. We just want the same for you.”

Cam wanted to scream.

Their intent wasn’t malicious, but they didn’t understand a thing about her. They’d supported her decisions, but only the ones that aligned with their own preferences and choices.

She swallowed back the rage bubbling inside her, the way her entire body and soul revolted at the idea of entertaining this for even a moment longer. Lex didn’t want her, and she had no other prospects. Cam had only promised to get to know him better.

Yet every step as she followed her mother back into the dining room felt like a betrayal.

Chapter Seventeen

Shitfaced didn’t begin to describe the state Lex was in.

Truth be told, she’d been wrecked most of her nights off ever since Danny and Adrian’s wedding. On her workdays, she’d been pulling longer shifts than ever, taking on any clients she could get, even the “Oh Em Gee, I just want a butterfly on my ankle” ones. Bell, bless his soul, worked with her and didn’t ask any questions. He seemed to understand she was dealing with something and let her distract herself as much as she needed.

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