Vegas to Varanasi (Fortytude Series Book 1) by Shelly Hickman Page A

Maybe I’m getting a little too personal, but it’s only fair since I told him about me and David. And I have to admit, I’m extremely curious about his romantic past.
    “I’ve not dated many women. You do remember I was extremely overweight.”
    “I remember. But you’re also kind, and charming.”
    Kiran snickers. “For most women, charm is considered creepy when you’re nearly three hundred pounds.”
    It’s the first time I’ve heard anything remotely sarcastic come from his lips. I don’t know what to say in response, so I reach over and place my hand on his arm.
    “Sorry. I didn’t mean for that to sound so bitter,” he says.
    “Yeah, well, people can be assholes.”
    He places his hand on mine and smiles. “That’s why I always remembered you, Anna. You weren’t one of the assholes.”
    I squeeze his arm to return the gesture before slowly pulling my hand away. “What about after you lost the weight? I imagine you have no trouble finding companionship now,” I say with raised eyebrows.
    “It’s not so simple. Inside I’m still that fat kid with coke bottle glasses, no matter who I see in the mirror.” He leans back in his chair and looks toward the coffee counter. “And right now, I suppose I’m breaking one of the biggest rules with women. Never let her see your insecurities.”
    I lean my temple on my hand and offer a deep sigh, hoping I don’t say something insensitive. “Boy, your heart has taken some serious beatings, hasn’t it? We’re gonna have to do some repair work.”
    His eyes lock with mine. “So am I to understand that you’ll be the one who does this repair work?”
    “I just might,” I return with a sly smile.
    I cannot believe I’m sitting here flirting with this man, after I’ve made a thing about keeping it friendly.
    “And what about your heart?” he asks.
    “What about it?” I cross my legs and swing my foot back and forth, while he remains very still.
    “Has it also taken some beatings?”
    Apparently, this is a conversation of personal revelations. “You don’t get to be our age without taking a few, right?”
    “This is true.” He drinks his coffee. “It must have been really difficult for you. When you and Luke separated.”
    I nod quietly and stare at the logo on my cup. “It was. But you know what they say. If you love someone, set them free.” I smile weakly. “It was just one of those things. I have no regrets.”
    I get the distinct feeling Kiran wants to ask plenty more, just as I would love to give him the third degree. But for now, we leave it at that.
    I do know this. There’s a lot of hurt buried beneath those beautiful eyes.

 
    Sixteen
     
    Several days after my outing with Kiran, I’m in my office early evening when I receive another text from David.
    Can I please talk to you?
    Why is he contacting me? I did give him a short, polite reply to his message a few days ago, but that was it. I’m not sure how I want to respond at the moment, so I set my phone down and continue working.
    But now I can’t concentrate. I pick up my cell and dial Luke.
    “What’s up?” he answers.
    “Hey, has Carly been saying anything to you about David at all?”
    “Noooo... why?”
    I tap a pen on my desk calendar. “I don’t know. I’ve gotten a couple of messages from him, about nothing in particular. And now he just texted me, asking if we can talk. We already talked when he picked up his things. What’s there to talk about?”
    “Sorry, kiddo. She hasn’t said anything to me about him. He probably just wants to keep it friendly.”
    “But I already told him I don’t feel comfortable with that.”
    “Maybe he misses you.”
    I rise from my chair, walk to the window, and absently look out the blinds. “I seriously doubt it. How do you miss someone you rarely spent any time with?”
    “It’s possible. You okay?”
    I plop myself down into the comfy leather chair in the corner of my office. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
    “So how did your