Page 51 of The Secret She Kept in Bollywood

Learning that the two most powerful men in Bollywood, two men she’d had a crush on for months, were her uncles had blown the teenager’s mind and she was forever hanging around them.

Until she’d learned that they’d only been keeping their distance from her because of her dad’s dictates that they give her time. Until she’d seen firsthand how overprotective those two uncles could get over their niece, given a half inch.

It had sent her beautiful daughter running screaming back into Anya’s and Simon’s arms, more than appreciative of her own parents, who believed in boundaries and open communication and treating her like an adult. Even her parents, Anya knew, had already lost a piece of their heart to this young woman who brought laughter and joy wherever she went.

For the first time in forever, her family had come together to protect Meera. They’d all rallied around her when it had been time to break the news to the media so that they could control the story. The promos of her first movie had begun to hit the press and eighteen months had changed her daughter a lot. Especially since with her tall, athletic build and distinctively strong features, Meera had begun to look more and more like Anya’s mother.

Simon’s stalwart support and her own innate confidence had helped Meera swim through that too.

Now, Meera adored her extended family—particularly her aunts and her little cousins, Zayn, Virat and Zara’s son; Raima, Vikram and Naina’s daughter; and her own little brother, Rahul. Especially since sometimes the little ones kept everyone’s attention away from her own escapades.

“Anya, sweetheart, what is it?” Simon said, enfolding her in his embrace from behind, pulling her back into the present.

Even Meera stared at her, concern in her eyes. “Anya... I’m sorry I yelled at Dad. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Anya said, forcing a smile to her lips. Turning, she kissed Simon to the background noise of her teenage daughter making barfing sounds. When Simon watched her with concerned eyes, she smiled. “I’m just...so happy, Simon. So much has happened and sometimes the sheer joy catches me unawares.”

Dropping his forehead to hers, Simon kissed her again. But this time, slowly, lazily, pouring everything he felt into the kiss.

“Anya, you have to talk to him about letting me go to the party. You’re the only he’ll listen to,” Meera interrupted.

Simon and she laughed amid their kiss.

“We did agree to let her go, Simon,” Anya said, patting the broad chest that had been her haven from the first moment they’d met. “And before you blame past us for making that decision, Vikram promised to keep an eye on her, remember? The party’s being thrown by his friend’s nephew.”

“Ugh... Vikram uncle’s going to be at the party? He’s so much worse than Dad,” muttered Meera. “I can’t wait until Raima grows up and he’s off my back. Although poor Raima deserves better than her overprotective dad hovering over her every minute.”

“See, now your dad isn’t looking so bad, is he?” Simon said, forever trying to pit himself favorably against Vikram.

“A little better. Very little,” Meera finally relented with a small smile.

Anya raised a brow and suppressed a smile. “So you want to stay home and catch a movie with us then?”

“God, no. I don’t want to see you two making cow eyes at each other.”

“Hey!”

“What? Dad only returned from his trip yesterday. That’s all you guys do anytime he’s back. Why do you think I was so determined to go to this party in the first place?”

Anya burst out laughing. “Go then, before he changes his mind.”

Despite all the attitude she gave them, Meera made a point to kiss Anya’s cheek. Then she went up the stairs even though she was already dressed in ripped jeans and a crop top.

“Where’s she going?” Simon asked, frowning. “Is she staying home? Did I win?”

Anya shook her head. “No, she never goes anywhere without kissing Rahul first.”

Anya stayed in Simon’s arms as Meera came back down, reluctantly kissed her dad’s cheek and left out the front door. “We’re going to the premiere tomorrow. Are you nervous?”

Meera stilled and bit her lip. “I am, yes. Terrified to be honest. But Virat uncle said it’s one of his best and Vikram uncle said that’s saying something because everything Virat uncle makes is brilliant and they both said... I did a good job.”

Simon squeezed her shoulder. “You trust their judgment, right?”

“I do,” Meera said, nuzzling her head into her dad’s chest. One of those very rare happenings now that she’d just turned fifteen. She wrapped her arm around his waist and then turned a hesitant gaze up at Anya. “But even if I didn’t...even if I sucked, that’s okay, right?”

Anya opened her arms and Meera flew into them. “Is that why you’ve been acting extra-cranky around here lately?”

Meera’s muffled “Maybe” made her laugh.

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