The Man Ban - Nicola Marsh Page 0,82
“Don’t you worry, Manish. We may not have time to talk now, but I intend to grill Harper after the party.”
Great, something to look forward to. Harper settled for saying, “I’ll be prepared,” and smiling, as Manny looked on fondly.
She liked that he doted on his grandmother and placed value in family loyalty, but Harper had a feeling Isadora had meant it when she said she was in for a grilling.
Manny had kept the guest list small—Samira and Rory, Pia and Dev, Nishi and Arun, and her folks—and they all arrived within minutes of one another. Once everyone had drinks in their hands, the catering staff set the food out and left, leaving everyone to help themselves. Casual, just the way she liked it, and she tried her utmost not to criticize the canapé presentation.
Harper’s head spun as she clung to Manny’s hand, laughing as he regaled everyone about details of his proposal, adding the odd snarky comment of her own, while their friends and family hung on their every word.
This whole party had a surreal quality, like she was an actress playing a part, the happy woman swept off her feet by the dashing doctor, into a happily-ever-after scenario she’d only ever dreamed about.
But all through the party Harper felt Isadora’s shrewd gaze on her, assessing and judging. Hopefully not finding her lacking. It took the gloss off what would’ve been a joyous affair otherwise.
“Girlfriend, I need to steal you for a moment.” Nishi grabbed her arm and tugged. “I go on my honeymoon and come back to this? I need details.”
Harper smiled. “Let’s duck out to the backyard.”
She caught Manny’s eye as Nishi dragged her toward the kitchen, and he nodded in understanding, mimicking a chatterbox with his hand. She grinned, loving how in sync they were, even across a crowded room.
When they slipped out the back door and into the yard, Nishi spun on her. “You and Manny are engaged? I can’t believe it. Tell me everything.”
“It’s all happened pretty fast.”
“Fast? Girl, you’ve given me whiplash. Is it true things started up between you two at my wedding?”
“Sort of.”
Harper didn’t want to go into details of how she’d paid Manny back for his insulting her food, so she settled for an abbreviated version.
“We kissed, and I guess it spiraled from there.”
Nishi snickered and poked her arm. “You’re not telling me everything.”
She should’ve known Samira or Pia had blabbed.
“Come on, Harper, this is me. The girl who shared your crush on Gregory Green in year seven, who lied to her mom so we could go to the Royal Melbourne Show together in year nine, who drank way too many margaritas with you when you broke up with that dweeb Colin.”
“Okay, okay, you’re my best friend, and I’m guessing you already know about the whipped cream incident and you’re sending me on a guilt trip for not telling you myself.”
Nishi giggled and held up her hand. “Guilty as charged. Sam told me. It’s hilarious. Imagine you two going through something like that and ending up engaged. How cool is that?”
“Cool or madness,” Harper said dryly, but unable to keep the grin off her face. “And I am mad. Totally crazy about him.”
“He’s a good guy,” Nishi said, but Harper heard a hint of something in her tone.
“But?”
Nishi shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Hey, you just gave me a lecture about besties sharing everything. What aren’t you telling me?”
Nishi huffed out a breath. “Look, this means nothing, because we all have pasts, right? And Arun says Manny is one of the good guys. But he’s also got a reputation . . .”
Considering Manny had been up-front with her about never having been in a serious relationship, Harper had a fair idea what her friend was about to say.
“A reputation?”
“As a ladies’ man. He’s dated every nurse, physical therapist, and doctor in the hospital, and never calls them back after one date.” Nishi wrinkled her nose. “I know things are totally different with you, because he’s actually popped the question so he must be absolutely smitten, but Arun was genuinely shocked when he heard the news because he thought Manish would never get married and he’s heard him say it.”
“People change,” she said, hating the sliver of doubt undermining her joy.
Harper had finally come to terms with the speed of their engagement, and Manny’s acceptance of her vitiligo last night had solidified what she’d already known in her gut.
He was the one.
So why was she letting Nishi rattle her?
“You’re right: people can change,”