Page 149 of Entangled Vows

“So, how was beach time?” she asked, uncorking a bottle of wine and pouring generous glasses for everyone left out.

“It was fantastic,” Ishika replied, just as Mohit slipped his arms around her from behind and pressed a soft kiss on her neck.

Vikram raised an eyebrow. “How comeyourPDA is acceptable, but the moment I kiss my wife, you have a problem with it?”

Mohit and Ishika couldn’t keep their hands off each other, and Vikram never missed a chance to point it out, a perfect way to get back at Mohit for years of teasing.

Vaayu chuckled. “Dude, because Mahika is his sister.”

“So?” Adil shrugged. “Mohit got them married, so now he has to watch them making out and be damn happy his sister is in love, man.” Ever blunt, Adil’s matter-of-fact words made Mohit groan.

“C’mon, Vicky,” Mohit said, grimacing. “It is weird to watch you both making out, even if I’m somewhat used to it by now.”

“I don’t care. Feel weird if you want, but I’m going to kiss the heck out of my wife, and maybe do a little more.” Vikram tugged Mahika closer and kissed her deeply, not holding back, right until Kiara came barrelling into the room, glitter all over her tiny hands.

Her eyes went wide as she babbled in her child-like voice. “Are you playing the kissy game again?”

Vikram and Mahika jolted apart, and the rest of the room tried and failed to hide their amusement.

“Baby, do Mom and Dad play this game a lot?” Ishika asked, feigning innocence.

“Yes, Ishi Aunty. All the time. Don’t they get bored?” Kiara asked, completely oblivious to the chaos she was causing.

“Let’s ask them,” Ishika said mischievously as she turned to Vikram. “Vicky, why don’t you ever get bored playing this game, hmm?”

Vikram smirked. “Why would I get bored when the game keeps getting better every time with my baby dragon?”

Mahika tilted her head, her eyes glinting. “Careful, Vicky. Keep talking like that and you’ll have to prove it.” She clinked her glass lightly against his before turning to her baby girl. “Okay, Kia darling, who’s hungry?”

“Mee! But first…” Kiara wriggled free and dashed towards Mohit. “Uncle Mo! I made you a card. Come see!”

“Oh god, does it involve glitter?” Mohit groaned, already swiping imaginary sparkles off his shorts.

“Only a little!” Kiara giggled.

“Darling, it’s so beautiful,” Ishika exclaimed, holding up the sparkly card Kiara had proudly handed over to them. The three of them began bantering while Kiara showed off her handiwork.

Mahika leaned into Vikram’s side, her expression softening. “I miss Suraj. So fucking much.”

“I know, Momo,” he said, rubbing slow circles over her shoulder. “I miss him too. He’s planning to come to your book launch.”

“Really?” Mahika’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Yes. He wanted it to be a surprise, but I couldn’t watch you carry that sadness any longer. So now, you’ll have topretendto be surprised when you see him.”

Her eyes sparked with hope. “Aww. You really can’t see me sad, baby?”

“Nope. not even for a moment.”

“Love you, Grizz.”

“Love you, Momo.”

“Is your mom coming too?” Mahika asked.

“Yes. She is,” Vikram replied with a smile.

The quiet warmth in his tone told her more than the words ever could. She knew how strained things had been between Vikram and his mother, and the thought of those cracks finally mending filled her heart with joy.