Ravi and Sora didn't fall in love in May, but that was when everything changed.

...

...

"Dhiren's coming home for summer," Ravi announced over soft pretzels in Pan-Pacific Park.

Sora frowned amid downing another bite. "Already? Last time I checked, it was January and you were just packing him off to Fresno."

Ravi groused, "I didn't want him up there in the first place, but Hana makes all of Dhiren's schooling decisions and he was so excited to go, I didn't wanna make waves. None of that matters now, because he's coming home and, if I have my way, he's not going back."

"Well, if I get a vote, I think it's great he'll be home full-time. Tommy misses him."

"Tommy misses the presents."

"Tommy misses his big cousin and his uncle."

Ravi shrugged. "He's still got me." Done, Ravi discarded his pretzel wrapper and wiped his hands on a handkerchief.

"And he's very lucky to have you, but you don't fit as easily into the blanket fort."

Seeing Sora was finished, he did away with her trash, too, and gave his handkerchief for her to use.

"There's a simple solution to that: we'll have to build 'em bigger."

"If they get any bigger they're going to dominate the ground floor."

"Maybe we can get you to come inside if it gets big enough."

There wasn't a chance in hell. "Not until you take down the 'Boys Only' sign."

"You're the exception." He made a play for her hand and they walked with theirs swinging, joined, between them. The strength of his fingers entwined with hers made her fingers feel stronger, made her feel altogether mighty in his presence. 'Love can be a remedy,' he'd said.

"Uh uh. Make it co-ed or it's no go. I like my hangouts equal opportunity."

"I'll warn Dhiren. You're going to be trouble."

"Changing the world, one nine-year-old at a time."

"And one old man at a time. You've changed me, too."

To Sora, Ravi had grown gracefully into his age. It had left him rugged and solemn to first glances, a treasure trove of impressions to seconds and thirds. Sora lived for hidden depths.

"You're not old. You're as young as you look."

"I'm not sure how to take that."

"Take it in whatever sense ye feel it."

"You can't dazzle me with verse, little Gallegos. I know your tricks."

"I've got nothing on you." She let herself be tucked close to his side.

"That's what's got me worried. You're sneakier than you get credit for."

"You got it. Don't underestimate me."

"I haven't since you handed me my ass at soccer. You've still got moves I haven't seen. You'll have to teach me the rest."

Sora hooked her thumb in his belt loop to give herself something to hold onto.

"A girl's gotta keep some mystery about her."

"Just some? Sora Gallegos, you're all mystery."

"Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment."

"Coming from me, you'll get nothing less."

They walked to the stone bleachers to watch a three-piece band perform on the round.

"Misra's having another gala."

"Do you people do anything besides throw parties?"

"Not often. Occasionally, we work. There are more orgies in the steam room than we admit, but we somehow get everything done before the deadline."

"I can't tell if you're joking. Remind me to never use the sauna over there."

"Missing out on good times."

"I couldn't afford the clinic bill."

"So...gala?"

"What's it for?"

"The Misra 'Make Your Fate' gala for the Yelena line."

"I'm intrigued. Tell me more."

"Carpe diem. We're promoting the idea of seizing the day and going after whatever it is you want. Follow your dreams; embrace your every desire. Carpe diem for this day shall never return."

"Sounds like you have the makings of a runaway success."

"If we play our cards right, sure. Which is why I want you to come with me to the big event. I went stag last time and people haven't stopped trying to set me up since. I'm tired of the questions. Be my date and scare off all the eligible bachelorettes before I accidentally find myself engaged to a model that's half my age."

"What's in it for me?"

"That's for you to decide. Carpe noctem, Sora."

"An evening on the arm of a handsome man or an evening on my couch with a plate of Swiss chocolate brownies and a Law & Order marathon. Tough one."

"Now, you're making me wish I was hanging out at your place instead of going to this thing. Invite me over, I'll bring the good wine."

Sora made sure to look properly scandalized. "Ravi Misra miss a party? The Mayans got it wrong. This is the end of the world as we know it."

"Still waiting for that invitation."

"Consider yourself invited."

Ravi bent down to brush a kiss across her cheek.

"Thank you."

Sora smiled up at him, enjoying the sheer delight of being close to him. The wafting scent of his spiced cologne made her feel like she was in some sort of dream, floating. The music added to surrealism of the moment. If he kissed her right this instant, she'd know she must have nodded off on his shoulder as she tended to do when their time together grew hazy and quiet. This doesn't happen to me, not when I'm awake.

Ravi skimmed his fingertips over her exposed collarbones as if they were a page in his tablet. Ravi had come back from Rome armed with an appreciation for human contact he'd never shown. This sense of being a human canvas for drawings she couldn't see had become the norm. She swayed into that touch all the same.

"You'll have to come up with a good excuse for not going."

"I'll say I got a better offer. I won't be lying."

"Charmer."

"For you, anything."

He tipped his head to kiss her cheek again. His lips were soft on her skin, countered by the roughness of the stubble on his chin. He coaxed her closer till she was flush against his chest. She outlined his bicep through his shirt. He was all ropey strength, strength that he'd lent to her this year.

"Find something you like?"

Sora pinched him. "I like this."

"Good to know."

Sora was a bolder woman in his arms than she was anyplace else. When you get sick of being timid, all that's left to be is bold.

She cupped the back of his neck, ruffling the short hairs her fingers found.

"What are you thinking?"

"Just that life is strange. I couldn't have imagined a year ago that you would become my most trusted confidant. It's just—it's strange."

"The man I was a year ago wouldn't have been anything like that. He wouldn't have known the first thing about it. His head was in a weird space. He eventually found solace in work and in art and people, again. I found it in you. When you find that, you have to give it back."

"Is that a rule?"

"It's my rule." Ravi traced the curve of her smile with his thumb. "You gave me everything. This is just the beginning of everything I plan to give you."

Ravi nudged her chin and ever so gently brushed his lips against hers. Little more than a peck, it made Sora keenly aware of the pleasure destiny had denied her in this life. But maybe it wouldn't always.

Sora stroked his face.

"What am I going to do with you?"

"I can think of a lot of things we could do. Come here."

Giggling, Sora wrapped her arms around his neck. This feels right and yet...

Ravi's cellphone vibrated, jarring Sora from her thoughts.

He swore.

She huffed, resting her forehead against his shoulder. It was too good to be true.

"See who it is."

"Nobody I want to talk to at the moment."

"Maybe, maybe not." She wouldn't put it past her sister to just know.

Sora's phone took this as its cue to sound.

"Damn it."

"See how annoying that is."

"Worst invention ever." She pulled it out of her handbag to check the display. "It's Aiko. We're supposed to be having lunch."

"Give her my best." The growl of displeasure resounding in his chest belied the understanding he was trying to convey.

"I'll do that."

He kissed her hands as he told her goodbye.

She let him go.