Nanny Mother 👀

28

"Sounds wonderful. I'm going to wash up and be right back down." He was out the door before she could mention she wanted to talk to him. She would do that after he ate.

Sana was just finishing the eggs when he returned. "Have a seat. Food's coming up."

He pulled a chair out from the table, sat, and stretched out his long legs, crossing his ankles before leaning back with his arms crossed on his chest. His gaze remained on her as she worked. A zing of awareness went through her.

Conscious of his attention as she brought his meal to him, her heart beat faster. He pulled his legs in and sat straighter when she reached him. He was a handsome man but, more importantly, she liked him. Sidharth  was a man who had taken his baby sister in, a man who suffered for a patient and a man who could laugh at himself. He was someone she could enjoy being around for a long time. That was not a place she needed to go.

"Thank you. This is a nice treat."

"Not a problem. Do you mind if I sit with you while you eat?"

"Of course not."

Sana took a chair catty-corner to his. She watched as he forked food into his mouth and chewed then swallowed. That mouth had kissed her the night before. She resettled herself in the chair.

"Okay, Sana, what's going on? I know it isn't about Mahi  because you would have already told me."

"I'm nervous about this wedding business. Are you sure you want to go through with it? It would take me awhile but I would pay you back. I would honour our business agreement."

* * *

Sana's statement hurt. They did have an arrangement but some part of Sidharth  wished it could be more. Less matter-of-fact. It was like she'd turned off any emotion. She acted as if they were strangers who had never shared a kiss that had seared him to the soul. No matter how she argued they were strangers, he knew better.

"I can't stand lying to all the people closest to us."

He put a hand over hers, which rested on the table. Thankfully she didn't pull away. "We'll make it up to all of them after I have custody. I promise. I'll make sure that your father understands that I insisted it be this way."

Sana looked overwhelmed.

"Mother will have everything handled. The movers will see to your father. Hang in there with me."

She nodded and removed her hand from under his, then stood. "Get some rest, Sidharth . I worry about you working so hard. Good night."

Sana worried about him? When was the last time anyone had done that?

An hour later he was finishing up some work in his father's office. Really, it was his now. The thought didn't bring the pain he expected. It was slowly ebbing away. In its place was the dull throb of disappointment that he'd never have the chance for that true father/son relationship. What he would have to do now was build a solid father/daughter one with Mahi . Based on the example he'd seen, could he? He would try. At least he knew what not to do.

As for he and Sana, he had no idea. She fenced herself away any time he came too close. If he created an entrance and stepped in, would she expect more than he was willing to give? Their kisses, which had been far too short for him, had confirmed in firework brilliance that there could be something exciting between them. When she'd stepped into his arms and he'd brought her close, the thought that this was how it should be had crossed his mind. Sana belonged with him and Mahi . At least for the time being. They needed her. In more ways than one.