The Fashion of Love | Adult F/M Romance [COMPLETE]

ch. 33 - July

Sora sat, deflated, in her office after Aiko had gone. The happier I am, the more I have to fight. She was starting to question whether that was a sign.

"I'm sick to death of thinking about Hana's feelings. When do I get to think about mine?"

"You have that option," Ravi opined from her laptop screen. Skype was heaven sent in these moments. "I've been telling you to do that. Put what you want first."

"I want your opinion on something." He held up his tablet where he'd been pinned two purple-ish swatches he was having trouble choosing between. "Brinjal or caponata?"

Which is which? Sora didn't know brinjal, but she knew wine. She guessed.

"You can't go wrong with a good red."

Ravi studied the pair, holding them up to the light to see how they caught it. Where Sora saw two purple pieces of fabric, Ravi saw readymade ensembles and accessories and shoes under high definition camera flashes and halogen limelight. The little things were his business, but they were what kept Sora up at night. The little things.

Sora felt as if she'd done nothing but complain since Ravi had come back from Rome. She didn't want everything she was feeling, or how muchshe felt at every moment, to drive him away.

"I was also thinking about currant and aubergine. Currant's kind of sullen, aubergine's regal and it catches the eye at a glance. I'm gonna go with that."

"Sounds great."

Ravi cocked his head, an eyebrow rising though his head was bent over his sketchbook. Sora thought over her response, she might have sounded come across a little peeved.

"Sorry, I'm—I'm all over the map today. Aiko got to me."

"That's not everything." He dropped his pen after making a note in the margin of the page. "First thing we're going to have to do if we're going to be happy: we're going to have to talk to each other. That means confessing when we're feeling overlooked and overwhelmed."

He has a life other than me. He doesn't need me talking his ear off, all because I don't know how to let disapproval roll off my back.

"Admitting that hasn't worked out for me in the past."

"It can. I know I don't have the best track record, but I'm willing to give us my all. Not Hana, not Jasmin, not anyone else; you, Sora. You just have to show you're willing to give me that chance. I love you and I'm putting my heart in your hands because that's the commitment you need from me. You have it."

Sora picked at her nail polish. She'd have to repaint them.

"I've never been this neurotic. I'm spooking at shadows. How can you want somebody who scares this easily?"

"You're scared, so what? The bravest people the world has ever seen were probably scared all the time. Fear is the realization that you're facing something tremendous; bravery is facing it. I've never seen you so brave." Ravi reclined in his chair. "Courageous, strong, captivating; the very definition of grace. That's you."

"You must have an encyclopedia of compliments."

"I have eyes, common sense. Ready-to-wear compliments aren't my style any more than readymade clothes."

"You never fail to take me by surprise. Rugged, talented, loving, and compassionate. I don't think there's just one word that you embody."

"How about 'yours'? I'm yours and I'm not leaving."