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

ch. 43 - August

Sora was leaving her office for the day when Hana arrived unannounced.

"We need to talk."

I don't know what circle of hell I'm on today, but I'd like to request an upgrade.

Sora checked for her keys and finding them, made to walk around her sister.

"Hana, not today. I have somewhere to be."

Hana stepped into her path. "This is important. We have to discuss what you're doing with Ravi."

"We don't have anything to discuss. We've been dating for months. When are you going to let this go?"

"I won't let this go. That's the man I love, truly love, Sora."

Sora stopped, bidding silently for patience. It wasn't as if Sora didn't understand on some level. "I love him, too, Hana. And Ravi loves you. He is just no longer in love with you. I'm sorry that you're hurt. You don't know how I wish this had happened in a different life where Ravi and you didn't have all the history that you have." She'd feel more secure if that shared history didn't exist, too, she didn't say. "Nonetheless, it didn't there. It happened, we happened in this life."

"Fighting you won't make me happy, but my heart won't let me give up on Ravi. I've tried."

When? Sora asked herself, bemused.

"Sure. Your heart. Good luck with that." Sora looped her purse strap over her shoulder. "You know where the door is. Cristina can show you out if you lose your way."

Sora left her sister where she stood. She had bigger dragons to slay tonight.

...

...

Sora used her key to enter Ravi's condo. Fresh moonlight spilled in behind her, the waters crashed against the shoreline, obscuring the double-time galug- thump of her heart as she set foot inside.

She found Ravi sitting in his armchair. He smiled when he saw her come in and rose to meet her, kissing her hello so sweetly she pulled back wearing a grin of her own. He still wants me, he can't lie that well, so what is this?

"Hi."

"Hey."

He walked her to the sofa. "Sit with me."

They sat.

He rubbed a hand on his slacks. "How about a glass of wine?"

"Or you could tell me what you wanted to talk about."

"Wine might make it go down easier."

The hairs on Sora's arms stood up. She moved a couple of feet down the couch from him.

"Hana came to see me this afternoon. Is this about that?"

Ravi furrowed his brow. "I don't know anything about whatever that is. This is about us."

Sora's hackles lowered somewhat. At least this isn't down to Hana. She struggled to silence her other insecurities. He chose me. What about Jasmin?

"Is Jasmin back?"

"Is she? I dunno, last time we spoke she was taking a sabbatical in Prague with a doctor she met on the Seychelles Islands."

"Oh, I just thought she must be in L.A."

"Wouldn't know about that. This isn't about Jasmin. This about me, and you. You need to know why I hesitated to start this." He gestured between them. "—us up."