Page 90 of The Plus One
“Oh,” Collin said, face falling. He turned from the group, striding away. “No, of course!” Indira heard as he retreated. “Oh my gosh, absolutely. I totally understand. Don’t worry…”
Jeremy trailed close behind his fiancé.
Indira didn’t even realize she was crying until Jude was in front of her, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs.
“Hey,” he whispered, cupping her face and angling it so she’d look at him. “I’m so sorry.”
Indira crumpled into him, wet eyes pressed against the spot right above his heart, fingers twisting into the front of his shirt. Jude’s hands soothed over her hunched back, and he whispered gentle words into her hair.
“I need to go check on him,” she said, pulling away.
Jude nodded. “I’ll be right here.” He leaned in closer, lips grazing the shell of her ear. “I love you so much.”
Indira blinked a few times to collect herself, and her mom’s face came into focus over Jude’s shoulder—mouth dangling open and eyes wide as she stared at the way Jude was embracing her.
Oops. Indira had wanted to tell her mom in person about her and Jude, but the day had been such a whirlwind of driving and setting up that there hadn’t been an ideal moment.
“I’ll explain later,” Indira whispered as she walked over to her mom.
Angela placed a hand on her wrist, eyes glinting. “Oh yes you will, missy.”
Indira’s cheeks warmed—all of her warmed, really—as she imagined telling her mom just how in love she was with Jude. She wanted to tell everybody.
But Collin came first.
“Should we talk to him together?” Angela asked, walking with Indira toward the door Collin had disappeared through.
Indira thought about it for a moment. “Let me feel him out first,” she said. She knew Collin had a tendency to put on a brave face around their mom, never wanting to worry her. “Then you can move in with the big hugs and cuddles.”
“My forte,” Angela said, pausing to demonstrate on Indira. Indira hugged her mom back, breathing in the familiar, warm scent of her.
“Be right back,” she said, untangling herself and continuing her search for Collin.
She found him on the couch in one of the getting-ready rooms, silent tears rolling down his cheeks, his usually smiling mouth unrecognizable with its deep frown and hurt lines bracketing the corners.
Jeremy was sitting next to him, rubbing his back.
Indira had the urge to rip her father’s head off. No one should be allowed to make Collin hurt this badly.
“Hi,” she said softly, approaching them.
“Hey, Dira,” Collin said, nose stuffy and eyes red. He dragged the heels of his hands across his cheeks.
Jeremy smiled sadly up at her. “I’ll give you two a minute to talk,” he said, standing up and patting Indira on the shoulder before leaving the room.
Indira sat down next to Collin, giving him a moment to adjust to her presence. She reached out, giving his hand a squeeze, and he collapsed against her, crying against her shoulder.
“I’m fine. Totally fine,” Collin choked out as he sobbed.
“Could’ve fooled me,” Indira said softly, rubbing circles along his back.
Collin took a shaky breath, pulling away to dab a tissue against his eyes.
“What did he say?” Indira asked, trying to sound calm. She failed.
“It’s seriously not a big deal,” Collin said, rolling his eyes to the ceiling and taking a deep breath. “I’m being dramatic. The stress of the wedding just has me extra sensitive.”
Indira squeezed Collin’s hand again. “Are you lying to me or yourself?”
