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`` i do .
i honestly do . ''
unfastening her seat belt , she lunged over to kiss him .
when she started to deepen the kiss , he had to pull away .
`` hey now , you got ta stop that or we 're not going to make it to my parents . ''
she giggled and then eased back down into her seat .
she managed to behave herself the remaining five minutes .
when he pulled into his parents drive , he saw it was already crowded with cars .
the sight of so many people set megan off , and she began tapping her fingers nervously on her leg .
`` ready ? ''
he asked , as he turned to her .
`` as i 'll ever be , '' she muttered .
he shook his head as he got out of the car .
like always , he opened her car door and helped her out .
as they started up the sidewalk , megan was a flurry of movement .
she smoothed down her hair and then she adjusted her top .
then she fiddled with her purse on her shoulder .
`` quit fidgeting , '' pesh whispered , as he rang the doorbell .
`` i ca n't help it .
i 'm nervous . ''
he grinned down at her .
`` megan , they 're going to love you .
i promise . ''
she shook her head .
`` they 're going to hate me because i 'm not a submissive indian woman .
wait until they hear i had a child out of wedlock .
they 'll be ready to disown you then . ''
the door flew open , cutting off the rest of their conversation .
`` brother , it 's so good to see you ! ''
his brother-in-law , sanjay , cried .
after he hugged pesh , his gaze went to megan .
his eyes widened , and he gasped in surprise .
`` uh , hello . ''
`` hi , '' megan said .
sanjay gave pesh a curious look .
`` you did n't tell me you were bringing company . ''
`` this is megan . ''
with a self-assured tone , he added , `` she 's my girlfriend . ''
`` really ?
well , what about that ? ''
sanjay gave megan a welcoming smile .
`` we 're so glad to have you . ''
`` thank you , '' megan replied .
as sanjay turned to go into the living room , megan smacked pesh 's arm .
`` you did n't tell them you were bringing me ? ''
he shook his head .
`` no , i like the element of surprise when it comes to my love life . ''
`` s-seriously ? ''
she sputtered .
`` it 's better this way .
trust me . ''
before she could say anything else , pesh started taking off his shoes .
wide-eyed , megan watched him .
quickly , she stepped out of her heels and put them in the pile next to his .
`` more etiquette you forgot to tell me ? ''
she hissed .
he patted the small of her back .
`` you 're fine . ''
as they came into the living room , pesh felt megan tense at his side .
he supposed that it was overwhelming coming into a room packed full of strangers .
his sister , shveta , came forward first .
`` hello brother .
you 're looking well this evening . ''
`` thank you .
so are you . ''
he hugged her tight .
as he pulled away , he glanced down at her swollen belly .
`` and how is the future prince doing ? ''
shveta smiled and brought her hand to her abdomen .
`` he 's busy kicking me at the moment . ''
when she spied megan behind him , she gasped .
`` and who is this ? ''
he drew in a breath and gazed around his family .
`` before i go through this with each and every one of you , i might as well get it out of the way .
i want to introduce you to someone very special , my girlfriend , megan . ''
deafening silence reverberated around the room after his statement .
his mother and father exchanged a glance before staring back at pesh .
megan tucked herself even closer to his side .
although public displays of affection between men and women were frowned upon in his culture , he wrapped his arm around her waist .
`` well , say something , '' he commanded .
`` we 're sorry , son .
it 's just you caught us off guard , '' his mother said .
his father 's bushy brows rose .
`` so you 're really dating , eh ? ''
`` yes , i am . ''
at his declaration , his father clapped his hands and grinned .
`` that is most wonderful to hear ! ''
he came forward to embrace megan .
`` you are very welcome here . ''
`` thank you , '' she said .
`` i 'm charlie , '' his father introduced .
`` megan , '' she replied , with a small smile .
pesh peered past his father where his mother stood chewing her lip .
he could tell she was n't entirely happy that another blonde-haired , blue-eyed woman was standing beside her son .
while shveta and arjan had both sought out indian partners to marry , he and dev were somewhat the black sheep since they had n't chosen to settle down with women within their culture .
finally , his mother 's manners won out over anything else , and she stepped forward to shake megan 's hand .
`` i 'm lavani .
it 's nice to meet you . ''
`` nice meeting you , too , '' megan replied .
the room then fell into an awkward silence .