Page 29 of Not In Love

“He helped me, alright,” Kash said archly.

The tension broke as her friends hooted and cheered like teenagers on spring break.

Then Chaaru spoke again, her voice surer. “You know… it’s okay to take chances on yourself. Even if they’re messy. Even if you don’t know how it’ll end.”

Kash looked at her sideways, eyes narrowing slightly.

Chaaru gave a small, sad smile. “I missed years I could’ve had with DP because I was afraid I’d mess it up. But life isn’t this neat little box we’re supposed to check off. If Diego was there for you when you claim you were not nice to him—” she squeezed Kash’s hand, “—then maybe it’s time you let someone see the real, glorious you. The version that’s imperfectly perfect.”

Kash let out a surprised laugh, part breath, part disbelief. “Glorious, huh?”

“Terrifyingly glorious,” Mona amended. “But yeah. You.”

Kash stared out at the horizon, the color of silver fire where the sky met the sea. “I don’t know if I can go any further with him. He deserves someone?—”

“Don’t you dare think like that,” Mona said sharply. “Give yourself time to heal. Without him in the picture first. Just take care of yourself. There are a lot more fish in the sea that can...” she coughed, “help you again.”

Kash laughed. But Chaaru’s comment stayed with her.

Diego had seen the worst of her and still given her what she needed. Could there be more between them if she healed and helped herself?

A second later, Mona popped to her feet and clapped her hands. “Enough moping! We’re in Cancun, it’s our last night, and I’m not letting either of you cry into your daiquiris.”

Chaaru groaned but stood, stretching. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere loud,” Mona said. “With terrible lighting and good music and the kind of cocktails that come in buckets.”

Kash laughed, wiping beneath her eyes. “Are you trying to kill us?”

“I’m trying to make sure we remember we’re still hot, that’s all,” Mona said, reaching for her hand and pulling her up. “Come on. We’re going dancing. All night.”

And for the first time in what felt like years, Kash felt like she would be okay again.

CHAPTER9

Few weeks later - Early February

Kash came downthe stairs to the landing and rubbed at her sleep-mussed eyes.

For a second, she wondered if she’d napped in someone else’s house after a brutal twenty-six-hour shift at the hospital.

Except it was her house with its cream walls and vibrant local paintings.

It only felt different.

Crowded with shoes by the front door, the sounds of her brother Kaif and mom quietly chatting in the kitchen, the faint scent of stagnant coffee lingering in the air, and random cousins running across her living room per Muriel’s orders.

It was strange and disorienting, this sudden swell of noise and people filling up the empty nooks of the house. But also… not unwelcome.

After years of dull, heart-rending silence—unless Tia was watching her cartoon shows—she could see herself getting used to it. Maybe even craving it when it was all gone.

Her life had been too still. Suddenly, she was immensely glad that she’d offered Muriel the chance to have the wedding in her house.

Kash couldn’t believe her quiet, brooding brother Kaif had fallen in love with someone so blunt and driven like Muriel. Maybe the contrasts made for an interesting relationship.

A small part of her had been hurt that Kaif hadn’t told her about their relationship. For three whole years at that. Even her mom had known and kept it a secret. Did Kaif think she would begrudge him his happiness? Or that she didn’t deserve to know at all?

She had no doubt that Diego, even though only Muriel’s cousin, had known all along.

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