How To Salsa in a Sari (7 page)

“Yeah, coming.” Ishaan squeezed Issa's hand one last time and grabbed his jacket. “Bye, Iz.”

Issa watched them get into Ishaan's Jeep. She wished more than anything that she was going with them.

Instead, she felt a rush of perfumed air as Cat and Alisha brushed past her, Alisha grabbing her hand. “Come, come.”

At the house, Diego had created another masterpiece. Pork chops cooked with
mojito,
a mix of garlic, sour orange juice and olive oil. Issa was already completely in love with the side dishes of
tostanes,
friend plantains and yuca, a vegetable she'd never eaten before, along with the standard white rice and black beans. She hated her living situation but loved this food.

As Issa practically licked her plate clean, she had to admit there were some perks to living with the Morenas. Despite being an important lawyer Diego insisted on cooking a full three-course dinner every night for his family. And the desserts she'd spotted in the kitchen had her mouth watering already.

“So, now that you girls are all settled in the guest house, let's discuss the house rules,” Diego announced as he returned to the table with four tiny cups of
café con leche,
crazy strong coffee served with hot whole milk.

House rules? What was this, boarding school? Issa shot Alisha a look. The only house rules they'd had was no staying out all night without calling, no jumping from the roof without a parachute and no watching
Sex and the City
episodes unless they were both present.

“Rule number one. We have dinner every night together. 7:00 p.m. sharp. This is the time we talk about our days.”

Issa relaxed. Not too bad. So she would be forced to eat these four-star meals every day. The worst that would happen was she would put on an extra ten pounds. She could deal.

“Rule number two. If either of you girls wants to see a young man socially, Alisha and I have to meet him first and approve him.”

Young man?
Issa fought back the urge to giggle. Alisha's way of approving Issa's
young men
was to flirt with them till they became uncomfortable.

She had a feeling Diego's approval was going to be a lot tougher.

“Rule number three. No interrupting me when I am working in my den or when I'm watching baseball games.”

“Which is, like, all the time,” Cat muttered.

Issa rolled her eyes. Poor little rich girl couldn't stand to have Daddy's attention on anything but her.

“Rule number four. We are a family and will act as such. We will share everything. There is no mine and hers business.”

Issa stopped smiling. Exactly what he expected her to share with Cat was beyond her. Her homework? Cat would love that.

“Now, let's figure out transportation.” Diego set his fork down. “Issa needs a car.”

Cat scowled.

“Diego, no,” Alisha interrupted. “Issa has walked to school all these years and I give her a ride when the weather turns bad. This isn't necessary.”

Issa looked up from her water glass. She begged to differ. She'd never had her own car and wasn't about to look Diego's gift horse in the mouth. Unfortunately, a stern look from her mother shut her up from voicing her opinion.

“Um, yeah. I don't need a car. Mom can take me. Really. It's not that far of a walk from here. Just like five miles or something.” Issa tried to sound as pathetic as possible.

It worked.

Diego looked from Alisha to Issa. “Absolutely no walking. Issa will get her own car, but for now, Cat, I want you to give a spare key to the Lotus to Issa.”

“Papi!”

“Cat—”

“No,
Papi!
It's mine! You gave it to me for my birthday!”

“Catalina Santiago Morena! Rule number four! Issa will soon be your sister. I expect you both to act that way. Is that understood?”

No one moved. Alisha poked Issa in the side.

“Yes, Diego,” Issa muttered.

“Catalina?” Diego turned his fiery eyes on Cat.
“Comprende?”

“Sí, Papi.”
Cat's voice quavered as her eyes filled with tears.

It seemed that Cat's privileged life was crumbling around her. Issa felt a sense of smugness as Cat pushed her chair back from the table.

“I'm going upstairs,” Cat mumbled before running out of the room.

The table fell silent. Issa felt Alisha's eyes on her. She knew her mother expected her to fix the problem to keep the peace in their new family.

“I'll go to talk to her.” Issa stood up with a sigh, even though she planned to do no such thing. Let Cat stay upset for a night. Finally, she got to experience a fraction of what Issa was feeling.

As Issa left the dining room, she heard Cat's stiletto heels thump up the stairs. How the mighty had fallen.

Finally. Cat Morena would finally know what it was like to have something she loved be taken away. Issa paused in the driveway to run her finger over the hood of the hot-pink Lotus convertible. She would love to ride in this someday.

Maybe this living with the Morenas wouldn't be so bad after all.

If Everything Seems to be Going Well, You've Obviously Overlooked Something

“Hey,
Diego.” Issa slid into a chair across from him in the breakfast nook the next morning and checked out the time. She was supposed to meet Professor Kidlinger in twenty minutes about her independent-study project.

“Good morning.”

“Do you know where my mom is?”

Diego glanced at her over the
Daily News.
“She had to go early for a staff meeting. Is there something I can help you with?”

“Oh, um.” Issa's cheeks burned. “I was going to ask her to give me a ride. Usually I would just call a friend, but I need to get to school to meet my English prof and—”

Diego immediately set his paper down. “Why, Issa, you will go with Cat. That car is for your use, as well, now.”

Already? Cat was going to kill her. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea so early in the game. Maybe she could call Ishaan and get a ride.

“Uh, it's okay.” Issa cleared her throat, realizing talking to Diego made her voice abnormally whispery. “I'll just call a friend. Thanks, though.”

“Nonsense.” Diego stood up and got another glass from the cabinet, which he filled with fresh orange juice. He slid the glass across the table to Issa. “You will drive together from now on. Cat and you will soon be sisters. Sisters share everything. It's time Cat learned that.”

“Cat learned what?” Cat paused as she entered the kitchen, glancing suspiciously at Issa.

“To share,
mi hija.
” Diego held out an arm for his daughter. “You'll ride with Issa in the Lotus today. If she'd like to drive, please be courteous and allow her to do so.”

“Just a ride to school will be fine,” Issa interrupted, trying to control the damage that was sure to come. “Thanks, Cat.”

Issa could swear Cat's head was about to start spinning,
Exorcist
-style. “What!”

“I'm ready whenever you are.” Issa hid her face behind the glass of juice.

“Papi!”

“Catalina Santiago Morena! Rule number—”

“Yeah, yeah, ix-nay on the boys, baseball interruption, and not sharing. I get it. Whatever,” was all Issa heard Cat mutter as she stomped into the garage.

The ride to school was silent and uneventful, except for the occasional death stare Cat shot Issa. As worried as Issa had been about Cat pulling a
Vanilla Sky
and driving them off a bridge, she couldn't help but feel a tad bit pleased. Diego was really enforcing his house rules. Maybe Cat would learn this transition wasn't going to be as smooth as she'd expected.

Issa—one. Cat—zero.

Issa had to admit, she understood how Cat could be on a power trip all the time. As the two girls pulled up at Athens Academy in the cotton-candy-colored Lotus Elise, heads turned. The crowd parted in front of Cat's parking spot as she eased the tiny car into the spot. Issa noticed the envious stares as Cat revved the engine one last time and turned off the ignition. Issa felt like a movie star.

“Don't expect this again. Find your own rides from now on,” Cat snapped as she snatched up her Louis Vuitton bag.

Issa eyed it. A real Louis Vuitton. Not a cheap NYC Chinatown knockoff like the one Issa had hidden in her closet. Not fair. Why were some people just born lucky?

“You're the one that said you don't care if your dad gets married. Get used to sharing,” Issa snapped back.

Not believing she actually dared to say that out loud, Issa flipped her hair behind her shoulder as she carefully closed the passenger-side door. She did her best “Cat walk,” one foot in front of the other, head held high, as she marched into school.

“What was that!” Issa heard Gigi's distinct screech a second before her friend grabbed her arm. “You get Cat's car now too? Holy mama, this is a pretty sweet deal!”

“I know!” Issa whispered. “Diego yelled at Cat last night and told her she had to give me a ride whenever I want.”

“Suddenly being a princess doesn't suck so bad, does it?” Gigi could barely hide the envious tone in her voice.

Issa realized she was smiling smugly, but she couldn't help it. Her smugness lasted exactly thirty more seconds till she crossed the hallway to her locker.

Adam was pressed against Issa's locker. Rather, he was
being
pressed onto her locker. By Cat. They were kissing, Adam's face contorted in pure bliss as Cat ran her fingers through his hair and ground her pelvis into his.

Issa froze.

“You want me to kick his ass now?” a low voice came from behind her. Ishaan was jamming his foot against the watercooler and glowering, not taking his eyes off Adam and Cat for an instant. “She ran in five seconds ago, grabbed Adam away from his idiot friends and practically threw him up against your locker.” Ishaan shifted his toasted hazelnut-colored eyes to Issa. “She's playing with you.”

“I'm gonna be sick,” Issa whispered, spinning around to face anywhere else.

Gigi looked like she was going to cry. “I hate him! How can he do this to you?”

“That's it. Hold this.” Ishaan shoved his physics book into Gigi's hands.

Issa held her breath. This was about to get ugly. As horrified as she was by the spectacle, a tiny twinge inside her was pleased Ishaan cared enough about her to be so angry. She had a feeling she was witnessing chivalry in the making.

“What's he doing?” Issa was too afraid to turn around.

“He's going up to them. Oh my God, he just grabbed Adam by the neck. Cat just jumped away. God, you have to see this!”

“Stop it!” Cat shrieked.

Issa dared to turn around.

Ishaan had Adam by the collar, Adam's freckled neck shading into a fierce red.

“You were never good enough for Iz. You know that, and I know that. Take the slut and get the hell out of here. Now!” Ishaan released Adam's collar and Adam's head hit the locker with a slam. “If I see you again, I swear to God…”

Issa bit her lip. She hadn't wanted Adam to get hurt. She thought Ishaan would just threaten him. This fight didn't seem fair. Ishaan was a star athlete and Adam could barely climb a flight of stairs without reaching for his asthma inhaler.

She stepped forward and was about to tell Ishaan to back off. Before she could, Adam met Ishaan's eyes defiantly and took Cat's hand. “Let's go, baby.”

Issa could feel the tears start to well up.
I won't cry. Not here. Not now.

“
Someone's
not handling this breakup well, are they?” Cat straightened her tiered miniskirt and swung her purse over her shoulder, arrogant smile returning to her face.

No, she wasn't handling the breakup well. And Adam knew her better than almost anyone. How could he treat her this way? Shoving this stupid new relationship in her face?

“Let's go somewhere else, Cat,” Adam murmured, not looking at Issa.

“Oh, don't worry, Adam.” Cat threaded her arm through his. “Issa's just feeling a bit insecure. Being a charity case and all. I mean, my dad has her and her mommy in the guest house living like queens. For now anyway. As soon as he gets sick of the trash he's picked up, they'll be back out on the street.”

Issa gritted her teeth and noticed a crowd had formed to see what all the commotion was about. A group of perfectly layered haired, label-conscious girls who called themselves the Belles were watching Issa with hawk eyes. They'd never even glanced at her before. Issa treated them the way she thought of all the “popular” girls, avoidance with a slight dash of fear.

Right now Issa had something in common with the Belles. All of them hated Cat. Issa turned her attention back to the locker drama at hand.

Ishaan took a murderous step toward Adam after Cat's latest comment. Adam quickly grabbed Cat's arm. “Come on, babe. Let's go.”

“Um, yeah, I don't think so. This little bitch can kiss my—” Adam dragged Cat away before she could finish her sentence.

The Belles glanced at each other and then back at Issa. Pity showed on their faces before they walked away, their stilettos clicking and miniskirts swaying in sync.

Issa sniffed back her tears. She was so pathetic. Everyone at school was feeling sorry for her. This wasn't the time to lose it. Ishaan had been right about one thing. Adam wasn't good enough for her. He had never loved her. If he had, he would never have treated her this way. She unclenched her hands, realizing she'd left deep indents in her palms from her unclipped nails.

“Sorry about that,” Ishaan murmured as he took his books back from Gigi. “I lost it. I can't stand it when—”

Without finishing the sentence, he shook his head and took off down the hallway, Gigi staring adoringly after him.

“God, he's amazing.”

“Amazing?” Issa stared at his retreating back. It was pretty amazing the way he'd come to her rescue. He was like another big brother to her. So protective. But today, it almost seemed like he was personally vesting himself in the situation.

Issa didn't know whether to be flattered or concerned at how personally he was taking this whole Adam business.

“Do you think he would go out with me?” Gigi asked as Issa opened her locker. “I mean, like dating, not friends.”

Issa considered this. Ishaan had never dated anyone. Sure, he'd taken girls who were friends to Homecoming but never had a real girlfriend. He was a good-looking guy, but she still didn't understand what
Gigi
saw in him. He wasn't the usual dumb-jock type Gigi liked. Ishaan was a lone wolf. He was good at school and good at sports, but didn't belong to any cliques. Issa knew he had a mysterious side and she didn't know if Gigi would be able to handle that.

“It's up to you, girl. Sure he's your type?” Issa avoided looking at Gigi. The truth was, the thought of her two best friends together made her feel weird. The only thing they seemed to have in common was their friendship with her. On top of every other change going on in her life, Issa was afraid the dynamics of their friendship would change if Ishaan and Gigi started to date. They would have their own thing going and she would be the third wheel.

“He's hot. And when he gets that look in his eye, like he knows what he wants and he's going to get it. Ooh, he's so sexy then.” Gigi's eyes went soft and dreamy.

Issa smiled. Gigi's idea of sexy ranged from Usher to Seth Cohen on
The O.C.
to Ishaan Banerjee. Her friend was just plain boy-crazy. Despite this, Issa had to admit Ishaan
was
intensely sexy, much more so than the average seventeen-year-old guy.

“Then, yeah, ask him, I guess.” Issa shut her locker, wanting to change the topic. Knowing Gigi, she would lose interest in this mission by the end of second period.

“Iz?” Gigi didn't move. “I need a favor.”

Issa knew what was coming and she didn't like the idea one bit. “Uh-uh. I don't think so.”

“Please! Please, please, please! You know him so much better than I do. You guys have that Indian family connection thing. Just find out if he's interested. But don't tell him I like him!”

“Gig—” This was a conversation she never thought she would have to have with Ishaan. What would she say, how would she start? What if he said yes? Her skin prickled at the thought. Right now, she was one of the most important people in Ishaan's life. That would change if he started dating Gigi. She would be left all alone. First ditched by Alisha for Diego, then ditched by Ishaan for Gigi.

“Please, Iz! I'll love you forever!”

“You already do.” Issa smiled grudgingly. She was being unfair. Gigi was her friend. Gigi would certainly do the same for her.

“Please?”

Issa sighed. “If it comes up, I'll ask him.”

The chances of that particular topic ever coming up was slim, and Issa managed to put the mission out of her head. Unfortunately, she had just the right window of opportunity that afternoon after English class.

Ishaan refused to let her ride home with Cat and offered her a ride home in his Jeep. The walk to his car was silent with Issa wondering if she really had to bring the dreaded topic up.

Now or never.

“Yo, Ishaan. Listen.” Issa hesitated as the car roared to life. She really didn't want to do this. She didn't want him to say he wanted to date Gigi. She didn't want anything else to change.

“'Sup?” He wove the car through the lanes of after-school traffic.

“You date girls, right?”

He took his eyes off the car in front of him. “You asking if I'm gay?”

“No! I mean…” She realized how idiotic that sounded. “I mean, you're willing to go out on dates, right? With girls.”