Page 37 of Cross the Line
It’s too late now, though. That’s for sure.
I groan as I lower myself onto the yoga mat under my window, needing to stretch and do a few strength exercises before I start my day. My lower back is achy from yesterday’s flight, and it’ll only get worse with all the travel ahead. I refuse to complain, though. I want this job, this place with Dev and his team, and I’ll do everything I can to keep the pain from slowing me down.
Herman watches me from his place on the bed, only lifting his head when my phone buzzes on the nightstand. He looks from it to me like he’s telling me to get my ass up and grab it.
‘You could bring it to me,’ I suggest, but all he does is grunt and put his head back down.
I haul myself up and pad over to grab the phone, my heart giving a funnythumpwhen a text lights up the screen.
Dev:My mom wants you to come over for breakfast
So much for avoiding him.
——
The scent of masala chai embraces me as I step through the Andersons’ unlocked door – I can’t remember the last time I knocked – and kick off my shoes, calling out for Dev.
‘Willow!’ His mother is the one who replies, her lilting voice guiding me toward the living room. ‘Come here! I want to show you embarrassing photos of Dev.’
‘Ma,’ Dev complains as I make my way in. He’s sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table where his mom has a collection of photos spread out. ‘She knew me as a kid. She’s witnessed all of my embarrassing moments.’
‘Not all of them.’ She waves me over, smiling widely at me with the grin her son inherited.
Her skin is a few shades darker than his, and her black bob is streaked with grey, but the resemblance is strong. There’s no doubt Dev’s good looks come from her. ‘I need your help. I’m getting photos together for the wedding slideshow.’
‘How embarrassing are we talking?’ I ask, settling on the floor next to Dev and scanning the photos in front of me. I do my best to ignore his eyes on me. ‘I could use some blackmail material.’
Dev glowers as Neha laughs and hands me one of baby Dev splashing in the bath, a rubber duckie sitting on top of his head. ‘How’s that?’ she asks.
I’m already pulling out my phone so I can snap a picture of it. ‘Better than I could have asked for.’
Dev throws his hands up but seems to know better than to interfere.
I spend the next twenty minutes helping his mother pick out photos of Dev and Alisha as kids before she claps her hands and ushers me off into the kitchen. A glass of chai, a plate of khaman dhokla with several chutneys on the sideandan omelette are set in front of me soon after. She watches me like a hawk as I eat every bite.
‘So,’ she prompts once I’m stuffed to bursting. ‘You’re working for Dev, yes?’
I scrutinize him from across the table. He’s swiping his finger through the last bit of coriander chutney on his plate. When he puts it in his mouth, I have to look away. My mind has no business going to the dangerous places a sight like that would instantly take me while his mom is staring me down.
‘That’s right,’ I answer, holding my warm chai glass to my chest. ‘He thinks I can revive his social media accounts, and I’m crazy enough to try.’
She hums contentedly, head bobbing. ‘Good for you. He needs a lot of help to fix his terrible reputation.’ At that, she shoots her son a disapproving look, but it disappears once she looks at me again. ‘Besides, I always thought you two made a good pair.’
If I’d been in the middle of sipping my tea when she uttered those words, I have no doubt I’d be choking on it right now. Dev isn’t so lucky, though. He coughs and thumps his chest with a fist, then turns to his mother and says something sharply in Gujarati that I can only dream of understanding. Despite his tone, she tosses her head back and laughs in reply. Dev’s narrowed eyes tell me that wasn’t the reaction he was going for.
He pushes back from the table, a muscle in his jaw ticking. ‘Willow, wanna show me what you’ve done so far?’
He’s clearly eager to get away from his mom and this conversation. And . . . is heblushing?
I nod after a beat of hesitation, setting my glass back down. ‘Everything’s on my laptop. I didn’t think to bring it.’
‘It’s fine,’ he says, already at the doorway. ‘I’ll just go over to yours. Come on.’
Well, I guess that’s that. Flashing a smile at his mom, I stand and thank her for breakfast.
‘See you later, Willow,’ she says warmly, catching and squeezing my hand before I can walk away. ‘Come back for dinner. I’m sure Dev wouldlovethat.’
I let out an uneasy laugh as I squeeze her hand in return, then head out to find Dev. He’s standing by the front door, tapping his thumb against the side of his phone impatiently. When he spots me, he hauls the door open. I slip my feet back into my shoes quickly, and then he’s ushering me out. I’m tempted to ask what’s up with him, but the way he avoids my gaze has me holding back.
