Sam’s jaw tightened. “I don’t care who he is. You can’t marry him. You hardly know this guy. Does he make you laugh? Can he save you from a rogue deer? Would he make your elevator fantasies come true? Or save you from unwanted advances in a bar?” He grabbed his Giants jersey. “Would he betray his own team and wear this for you?”

“Sam Mehta.” She read off the screen. “Age thirty-two. Arrogant. Stubborn. Controlling. Obsessed with lining up his pencils.”

“Layla . . .” His voice was raw and rough. “What are you—?”

“I don’t do the briefing as well as Daisy, but let me get through it. You need to know what you’re up against.” Emotion welled in her throat. Hopefully this was the last marriage résumé she would ever have to read.

“Mother is a teacher,” she continued. “Father is a computer programmer. Sister, Nisha, who is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, is planning to become a lawyer. He has lots of degrees and credentials that mean he saves lives. He stays in shape doing MMA at the gym and beating up dudes who hurt the people he cares about. Very practical. No imagination. Couldn’t recognize a spy when the dude was sitting right in front of him. Jealousy issues. Amazing in bed. Stellar driving reflexes. Enjoys long walks in empty fountains, sex in dress shop restrooms, and women with healthy appetites who order their own dessert. Sometimes he makes mistakes, but his motivations are always pure. His is fiercely loyal, supportive, protective, deeply moral, intelligent, kind, funny and . . .” She drew in a ragged breath. “I love him.”

“You love me?” He stared at her, his face a mask of disbelief. “There is no other guy?”

Layla put down her phone and turned in her seat. “I pick Bachelor #11. Sam Mehta, will you marry me?”

* * *

• • •

STUNNED, Sam couldn’t move.

She wasn’t marrying someone else. No other man was coming to sit in this seat. She wouldn’t suffer the humiliation of being proposed to in front of a stadium full of fans. And she hadn’t come here just for the game.

It was about him.

Even after he had hurt her. Even after he had failed to get justice for Nisha. Even though there were ten other men her father thought worthy.

She wanted him. Sam Mehta. Friend. Partner. Brother. Son.

Not just for today, or tonight. Not for a short time or a good time. But forever.

He didn’t deserve her. Didn’t deserve her forgiveness. But he wasn’t going to let her go again. He would have a lifetime to prove himself worthy of her love, of being her husband.

He had come to save her, but instead she had saved him.

“Sam?” Her brow creased with consternation. “If you don’t . . . I mean . . . it’s okay. There’s no kiss cam or anything. It’s just us.” She looked over her shoulder. “And my family.”

Sam followed her gaze to the crowd behind their seat. Everyone was there—Jana, Nasir, Daisy, Max, Arun, the aunties and uncles from the van, others he hadn’t met, two cute little girls, John and Nisha in a wheelchair-accessible area. Even Royce. Standing in someone’s way in his $2,000 suit.

“Did he say yes?” Arun shouted. “I couldn’t hear. There’s too much noise.”

“They all knew?” Sam asked.

“I had to tell them. Marriage is a family affair, and everyone had to approve.”

Sam huffed. “The man is supposed to make the proposal.”

“Are you seriously going to start with that man thing again?” Layla’s smile faded. “I told you; when I decide to get married, I’m going to ask the man myself.”

“But I have a ring.” He pulled out the Giants fan ring he’d bought along with the shirt and hat, and dropped down to one knee. “Layla Patel. You are passionate, sweet, funny, generous, and kind. You made me believe in myself again. You gave me back my faith in the goodness of people. Every day I spend with you is an adventure, whether it’s dodging office supplies, meeting desi spies, careening through the streets in your Jeep, or hiding in a restaurant closet. I think I fell in love with you the minute you walked through the door, and every moment I’ve spent with you since then has just made me love you more.”

“That’s a pretty good impromptu speech for a guy who’s used to being in control.”

“I learned from the best.” Sam slid the ring on her finger. “I would be honored to marry you, Layla. But please don’t ask me to support your team. After those last two strikeouts, I think the Giants are on the verge of the worst home season in Oracle Park history.”

“It’s a deal.” Her smile became a grin. “Now give me a kiss. Everyone is waiting.”

Cradling her face in his palms, Sam pressed his lips against hers and kissed her.

Long and deep. Soft and sweet. Forever.

“He said yes,” Nasir shouted.

A cheer rose up from the section behind them.

“I brought your sherwani!” Nira Auntie held up a suit bag. “It’s ready for the wedding. Just like I said.”

“Stand up,” Layla said. “Dad wants to take a picture.”

“I can’t.” Sam looked down. “I think I kneeled in your fries.”

• 30 •

LAYLA walked into The Spice Mill Restaurant for a final good-bye. Sam and Royce had allowed her parents to stay until the Sunnyvale renovations were completed, but now that everything was ready, it was time to move on.

“The tablecloths go in the box in the corner.” Her mother handed her a stack of freshly laundered linen. “And don’t forget the napkins. Lakshmi Auntie embroidered elephants on every one. For luck.”

“You won’t need luck. I think everyone in Sunnyvale knows you’re coming back. Dad says you’re booked solid for the next three months.”

Her mother smiled. She’d been smiling since the engagement, and now that the new restaurant was ready, she was positively joyful.

Layla couldn’t imagine a more different moment than the night she’d walked into the restaurant six months ago at the lowest point of her life. It hadn’t been easy, but she had done what she set out to do, reinventing herself and building something even more wonderful than she had ever imagined.

She walked past the empty tables, the saffron walls, colorful frescoes, and paintings of her parents’ hometowns. They’d sold the water feature to Manoj Gawli down the street at the Tamarind Restaurant and had kept only enough furniture to fit their new cozy space.