The phone kept buzzing, but Ethan remained silent, too stunned to react as he watched her walk to the door.
Priya put on her shoes, her fingers gripping the doorknob as she steadied herself. Without looking back, she stepped outside, shutting the door behind her. The night air hit her bare skin, and she shivered, pulling Ethan’s T-shirt tighter around her as she walked briskly back to the apartment.
A wave of relief swept through her as she walked through the door and locked it behind her. Her parents were still asleep, blissfully unaware that she’d come home wearing nothing but Ethan’s T-shirt. No awkward questions, no disapproving stares, and no fumbling explanations. Thank god.
Climbing into bed, Priya stared at the ceiling, her heart still pounding. Her grand plan to have a fling with the biggest movie star in the world had fizzled before it even had a chance to take off. But maybe that was for the best. She’d gotten what she always wanted: She’d kissed Ethan Knight, living out the fantasy that had lived quietly in the back of her mind since she was a teenager. Now that it was out of her system, she could put all her energy into getting rid of him and Moksha.
But Ethan’s kiss played on a loop in her mind—the way his lips felt against hers, the warmth of his hands, the way his body fit so perfectly with hers.
Priya groaned, throwing an arm over her face.
If it feels like this after one kiss, how would it feel if I was still on that couch, tangled in his arms?
The thought sent a shiver through her. And that was the problem. Ethan was too good at slipping past her defenses. A fling with him wasn’t an option anymore, so she’d have to make damn sure it didn’t happen again.
Ten
Priya decided thatavoiding Ethan was an entirely valid strategy. Over the next two days, while her parents prepared for their trip, she stayed in her room, pretending to be busy with her work. But concentrating was impossible when his voice kept sneaking into her mind.
Admit it, Priya. Say you want me.
Priya rubbed her temples, muttering under her breath, “Get out of my head, Heathen.” But he didn’t.
You have to say it.
Her fingers froze on the keyboard as she recalled his thumb tracing slow circles on her wrist. When she tucked her hair behind her ear, she could practically feel his fingers threading through it.
Priya typedSienna Deville Ethan Knightinto the search bar, her curiosity dragging her down an internet rabbit hole.It isn’t irrational. It’s just research. She had to figure out if there was truth behind her suspicions. Why else would Sienna be calling him late at night, long after their movie had finished filming?
Every article she found only added fuel to her theory. Sienna’s upcoming debut alongside Ethan had already catapulted her into the spotlight. Lines like “poised for stardom” and “breakthroughperformance” were everywhere. But what caught Priya’s attention was the repeated mention of her “remarkable chemistry with Ethan Knight.” Priya scoffed at the phrase, scowling at her screen. There wasn’t any solid proof of a relationship, but there wasn’t anything to put her mind at ease either. She closed yet another tab and forced herself to turn back to her work.
The sound of a suitcase rolling down the hallway snapped Priya out of her thoughts. Her parents were almost ready to leave. She rushed out of her room, only to trip over a collection of bags in the hallway. There were shopping bags worn out from countless grocery runs, two dusty suitcases with zipper-pulls long gone and replaced by safety pins, and in classic Solanki style, three potlas—makeshift bundles made from knotted bedsheets, bulging with snacks Mumma had prepared.
A tiffin peeked from a wicker basket that was filled with enough food to feed her sister for the whole week. Next to it was the inevitable thermos of chai for the journey. Judging by the mountain of luggage, you’d think her parents were setting out on a trek to the Himalayas, not a four-hour drive to Windsor to visit Deepa.
“Priya?” Mumma called from the kitchen. When Priya stepped into view, she swung the freezer door open, revealing rows of neatly packed containers. “These are all the dinners I’ve prepared for Mr. Ethan. Don’t get so carried away on your computer that you forget to keep up with his schedule. Be attentive, okay?” She waited for Priya’s nod before adding, “Now hurry and start taking the bags downstairs or we won’t make it to Deepa’s on time. Your father hates driving at night.”
Priya grabbed two suitcases and the car keys from the table, then made her way down the stairs. She rolled the suitcases across the driveway and set them by the car. As she turned to go backinside for the remaining bags, she froze, seeing Puppa and Ethan step out of Moksha.
Warmth flooded her from the inside out as soon as she saw Ethan. Even in jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap, he was impossible to ignore. The cap cast a shadow over his face, making his expression harder to read. Priya’s gaze dropped to his lips, the memory of his kisses rushing back.
“Priya, I’ve given Mr. Ethan the entry code for the funeral home, so he can come and go as he likes,” Puppa informed her. Her father had spent the whole day giving Ethan a tour of every corner of the place, including the prep room where Ethan’s character was set to “wake up” for a key scene.
“Got it,” Priya said, avoiding Ethan’s gaze.
“Just make sure you stay on top of the phone messages in case anyone needs to get a hold of me,” Puppa continued. Noticing the bags by Priya’s side, he asked, “Is your mother ready to leave?”
“Almost,” Priya replied. “There are a few more bags still.”
“I’ll go check on her.” With a quick nod at Ethan, Puppa excused himself, leaving Priya alone with him.
The air immediately felt heavier. Priya fumbled with the car keys.
“You’ve been avoiding me.” Ethan cut straight to the point.
“I’ve been busy,” Priya said, her eyes darting everywhere but to him.
“Busy avoiding me.”
