Zahara Adebayo had spent her whole life living in Africa, but after hearing the news of a dangerous rainstorm heading her way, her parents have no other choice but to send her to live with a family friend all the way in Oakland California. From meeting the Mickelson's years ago when she was five, Zahara quickly finds out that all six children have indeed grown up.
From feeling severally homesick, and not knowing if she truly belongs, Zahara spends the entire summer with the Mickelson's, hanging around, going to the beach, and living a California lifestyle. Yet, the last thing she'd ever imagine herself doing is falling for one of the Mickelson boys. Never imagining herself falling for one of the Mickelson boys, Zahara surely didn't expect it to be Oaklands known boy every girl was in love with. Yet to her surprise, he was even crazier for her than she ever thought.
"He doesn't say 'I love you.' But he changed in all the ways that yelled it."
••••••••••••••
Vaani Joshi never expected love from her arranged marriage - just respect, maybe some space, and silence she could live with.
Dhruv Deshmukh was exactly that: powerful, unreadable, and cold.
He didn't ask her what she liked. He didn't ask how her day was.
And she never asked for anything.
But then he started noticing.
Not her words - her silences.
Not what she wanted - what she gave up.
The man who never looked twice is now the one who watches her the closest.
And the girl who never expected anything...
is the reason he's learning how to give everything.
••••••••••••••••
"Why do you always notice the things I don't say?"
He looked at her for a long second.
"Because you never ask. And I've never wanted to give anyone more."
••••••••••••••••
Tropes:
Slow-burn romance | Arranged marriage | Contemporary drama | Indian diaspora | Urban luxury + emotional intimacy | Cold ML x Soft FL | Changing for her
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