They lay like that, lost in their individual thoughts. He was happy. Truly happy.
He looked down at her face with that one line of tension between her brows and ran a thumb over it.
“Rina, honey?”
“Hmm?” she said, her eyes remaining closed.
And because he couldn’t think of what he was supposed to say to find out why she didn’t sound as content, as happy as he did, he said the only thing that came to mind.
“I don’t deserve you, but I’m going to try every day to be someone who does. Is that enough?”
The line between her brows smoothed out, and for the first time since she walked in his door, a smile curved her full mouth. She pressed a hand against his cheek.
“Okay,” she whispered in response.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Prem
Prem: I feel like I need to give you a real proposal. You know, before we announce it at your sister’s engagement party that we’re together.
Kareena: Uh, sure. I mean, I don’t need one, but okay?
Prem: Really? For such a romantic, I thought you’d like the idea. You know. Rings and things.
Kareena: Well, if you’re interested in proposing, just for you and me, I’d prefer if it was a surprise. You know, because texting me that we’re announcing an engagement is not really something that sparks romance.
Prem: Ahh. Yeah, okay. That makes sense. Hey Rina, honey?
Prem: Are you happy?
Kareena: ??
Gregory LTD Financial: Hey Prem, do you have time for a quick meeting in NYC tomorrow? I saw your last few shows. Your producer sent me the tapes and a pretty compelling note. I’m reconsidering my investment into your community center.
Prem: That’s great! I’d be happy to meet you tomorrow. I have patients, but I’ll see what I can do to move my nonurgent appointments. I’ll keep you posted on my availability.
Gregory LTD Financial: Great. I let my assistant know you’ll be putting time on my calendar. Talk to you soon.
Prem walked into the chrome and glass building on Park Avenue and checked in at the wide security desk. After they took his picture, verified his ID, and called up to the top floor, he took the designated elevator up to floors twenty-five through thirty-five.
The thirty-fifth floor had sweeping views of the river, with the Statue of Liberty in the distance.
“Dr. Verma?” a woman said. Her perfectly styled black hair was coiled on top of her head. She held a tablet in one hand.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Deepak is waiting for you. Please follow me.”
Prem trailed behind the woman, keeping up with her clipped pace down wide corridors with large glass offices along the walls and spacious open desks. In the center of the floor were couches, espresso machines, and gathering tables.
The woman stopped in front of the corner office and motioned through the open door. “Right this way, please.”
Prem stepped inside, and the last thing he expected to see was a familiar face seated across from Deepak with her feet propped up on the adjoining seat, or his best friend in his office chair casually trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube, as if the woman’s presence was completely normal.
“Veera? What are you doing here?”
Veera’s feet dropped to the floor. “Oh. Uh, sorry. I thought I’d be out of here before you arrived.”
Deepak continued to fidget with the Rubik’s Cube at his desk. “We had a business lunch, Prem. Don’t make a bigger deal out of it than it is.”
Veera nodded like a bobblehead. “And please keep this to yourself so my friends also don’t make a bigger deal out of it.”
“Oh,” Prem said. “Are you asking me to keep a secret from Kareena?”
Veera nodded again. “If she finds out about this, she and Bobbi will jump to conclusions. And there is nothing to conclude. Obviously.”
“Right,” Deepak added.
“Oh . . . kay,” Prem said. “Deepak, you want to meet up with me later?”
“Nope, we’re finished,” Veera responded before Deepak. She grabbed her purse and looped it over her shoulder. “I have another meeting with a client one building over. Bharat, Inc. The tech company.”
“The Singh brothers are good people,” Deepak said and nodded at her. “Just tell them straight, and they’ll be receptive.”
“Thanks,” she said as she picked up her bag that she’d left next to her chair. “Prem, it’s good seeing you.”
“Uh, you too?”
She zipped past him, her billowing top brushing his arm as he passed. Before Veera could reach the door, Prem called her name.