When Life Gives You Lemons (Sun Tower, #1)

by Noor Sasha

“Try to keep up,” I grumble, immediately turning on my heel. “Where are we going?” Alina says. “And don’t ask stupid questions.”

It was all for the sake of Iman’s wedding, you know, just in case he caused any trouble. That aged well.

It’s time to collect my maniacal wife and her belongings.

She’s clearly a daddy’s girl, the apple of his eye. A poisonous apple.

Azeer sees right through my façade. “And what sort of properties does your imaginary friend own, Nuisance?” he asks.

I mean I tried to pay with my expired card, only to have Azeer reluctantly step in and grumble about it while swiping his own card. What a sweetheart.

“So, I think—” “Don’t.” “Don’t what?” “Think.” “But I didn’t even get to finish my sentence.” “Society healed,”

I nod because . . . dimples.

I’m hands down the funniest person I know.

but the fear of being rejected by her would have been a deal-breaker. It would’ve signalled the end of me, for sure.

“Man, I’m hilarious.”

I have come to consider her flaws as flawless. She’s imperfect, but in a way that makes her perfect for me. I may be too proud to admit it, but it’s true.

“Did you use my card?” He tilts his head when he notices the little bob in my throat. “I did.” A smirk. “Good girl.” Oh, god. He called you a “good girl.”

“I’m not very great at complimenting, Alina, but for my wife, I promise my actions will speak louder than words.” His voice drips with sincerity and suspense, sending a delicious quiver to my core. “This is my way of showing you how exquisite you look in this dress.”

“She’s crazy,” I tell Zoha. “Mama’s not crazy!” My brainwashed daughter punches my leg and leaps into bed. “She’s awesome, and I love her.”

This woman of mine, she’s a beautiful paradox: powerful yet delicate, fierce yet loving.

“One of these days, I’m going to burn you,” I mutter. You’re threatening a pillow, Azeer.

I don’t know why they’re laughing at the cola gummies. Is there something amusing about artificially flavoured, chewable candies that I’m missing? Could someone please enlighten me with a fun fact?

“So, you admit you were jealous?” “Extremely,” I surrender. I don’t care.

“I was simply asking if they sold these.” I quickly brand it in my memory bank to buy her every flavour.

“And he wasn’t my type, either.” She brushes off a piece of lint from my shoulder. “You are.” My heart flutters—flutters—and I feel my cheeks warm up. “Let’s keep it that way.”

Mmmmmm

“I don’t know about you,” I mumble, plucking a fallen lash from her cheek, “but I wouldn’t change anything about this lovely nuisance in my life.” I blow the lash from my finger. “I’m beginning to quite like her.” With a wink, I leave her flushed and flustered—exactly how I like her.

“Anything you desire, everything you crave, smile for me, and it’s yours, Alina jaan.”

Each day my wife gives me infinite reasons to be enchanted by her.

Slowly but surely, I’m falling in love with everything she does.

At ten in the evening? Alina smiles. I crumble. “Let’s do it.”

“You are a dickhead, yes.” I pause for a moment. “But?” “No buts. I’m proud that you’re self-aware.”

Alina’s eyes flicker to my lips, and my heart is ready to tear out of my chest and into her soft, small hands. I want nothing more than to close the gap and kiss her with all the power building inside me.

Alina was right; they must be manufacturing these kids somewhere. I’m convinced this one was born from the flames of hell and delivered on earth as an omen.

What if Lemon gets hurt or, worse, drowns in the pool? Fuck. I can’t even remember if cats can swim or not. I spend the meeting researching the topic, trying to ease my worry about Lemon and the pool.

I let out a soft chuckle at the realization that this gullible, wealthy fool has become the centre of my universe.

“It’s not going to be pretty,” I warn him. “Doubt it.” I manage a weak smile in return. “Ta-dah.” “The prettiest. But you know what I like to see.”

She looks like some kind of dangerous and desirable fairy-tale villain. So unbelievably real. Rare. Transcending time and space with her existence. It’s a miracle I can even form a coherent thought in her presence. Scratch that; she’s stolen all the oxygen my brain needs. Can you believe this marvellous woman is your wife?

As for those other men she’s texted or flashed her dimples at— Actually, no. Nope. Don’t even think about that ever again.

“Well?” “Well, what?” I ask. She opens the closet door and motions for me to come inside with her. “Aren’t you going to do it?” Oh. Oh! Ha. See? No experience.

She’s adorable when she’s grumpy. She’s adorable all the time.

It’s breathtaking, and I feel privileged to witness such a lovely sight.

“Every sound you make is like music to my ears. Do you know that? It’s like you’re singing just for me, and it’s so fucking beautiful, Alina jaan.”

“It’s unbelievable that someone so perfect is my wife,” I whisper as a reminder before diving straight for her neck.

“I need you to know, Alina jaan.” Rough, large hands explore my body with tender touches, distracting me from the pain of my memories. “I need you to know you’re safe with me,” he adds, his voice low and soothing.

Not that I would ever let anything or anyone touch him, let alone hurt him. “You’re . . . God took his sweet, sweet time with you, Azeer Khan.” “Fucking love it when you compliment me, Alina Khan.”

He plants kisses all over my face, making me giggle and squirm. “One more,” he declares, taking his sweet, pleasurable time savouring the smile on my lips. “Energy restored. Let’s finish this.”

It’s JULY, she said it was the last day of school

And now, I call her “Alina jaan.” My source of oxygen. Every fibre of my soul. My best friend. My wife.

“It’s us, Alina. It was— It was you!” She’s comatose. “That’s me.” “That’s you.” “That’s me?” “That’s you!” I gently cup her cheeks, trying to shake her out of her state. “It’s you, Alina. It’s always been you, and it will always be you,” I say with conviction before kissing her.

I cup her jaw, gazing at the happiness painted on her soft, round features. If the word “exquisite” had a face, it would be my wife’s. Just drowning in those deep-brown eyes makes time stop.

“Do you actually love me?” “I knew your ass was going to pester me about this.”

“Yes, Alina. I love you. Always have, always will.” He looks at me with a half-lidded gaze, then adds, “Now, can I please go back to sleep so I can love you in my dreams, too?”