Tina’s polite smile dipped. She was often in disagreement with Gauri Arjun, but this time she knew her mother-in-law was right.
CHAPTER NINE
TINA PACED THE courtyard, hoping to find serenity, but nothing relieved her agitation. Her high heels clicked against the stone path and the stack of bangles clattered with every move. The water fountains gurgled loudly and the fragrance of the flowers was overpowering. The morning sun was unbearable. She pulled at the neckline of her designer wrap dress. It felt tight and suffocating.
Why had she ever agreed to this?
“Tina?”
She whirled around at the sound of Dev’s voice. Her pulse skipped hard when she saw him walking barefoot down the path. His hair was getting long and a hint of a beard darkened his jaw. Today he wore a long blue tunic and faded jeans but the casual wear didn’t hide his powerful and masculine body.
She felt a flutter low in her belly when she saw the lust flare in his dark eyes. She was keenly aware of how the dress clung to her curves. Tina clasped her hands in front of her and remained still as her heart beat fast.
“Sandeep told me you had asked for the car. Where are you going? An audition?”
Tina went still and nervously licked her lips. “I’m going to a charity luncheon.”
“Really?” His eyes narrowed on her mouth and he strolled closer. “You should have told me. I had made plans for us today.”
She gave a guilty start. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know until the last minute.”
He didn’t say anything as he watched the blush stain her cheeks. “What charity is it?” he asked silkily.
She gritted her teeth. She was reluctant to share any information and she wasn’t sure why. No, that wasn’t true. She knew this was going to trigger a discussion she didn’t want to have with Dev.
“Tina?” His voice held a steely edge.
She looked away. “It’s for mothers who have suffered miscarriages.”
The silence pulsed in the courtyard. She gave a cautious glance in Dev’s direction. Dread settled in her chest as she watched Dev’s harsh features sharpen. She saw the way he clenched his jaw and the hurt that flashed through his eyes.
“They want to promote the resources they offer to these women and they needed a celebrity to get media coverage,” she babbled on. “I volunteered. I thought this would be a good way to honor our son.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked coldly. “Afraid that I would want to come along? Steal the spotlight?”
Tina’s eyes widened with shock. “No, of course not. It’s a women’s charity. I didn’t think you would be interested.”
He flinched. “Right, because I don’t know anything about miscarriages. It hasn’t touched my life, my marriage or my heart.” He turned abruptly and walked back to the house.
“I didn’t say that,” she called out as she hurried after him.
He didn’t look back. “You don’t have to. You’re shutting me out like you did when you miscarried. You had to suffer alone. Deal with it alone.”