Dinesh’s brows furrowed, trying to piece together her statement. Then, like a light bulb coming on, it hit him. “Wait…hold on…Are you telling me that you and Ethan Knight…that those headlines were actually true?!”
Priya gave a simple shrug.
“Baap re!” Dinesh slapped a hand over his mouth. “Tu neEthan Knight! Excuse me.What?!My parents weren’t keen on a divorcee to begin with and immediately crossed you off the list after the rumors broke. But when Ethan shut them down and your parents swore it was a misunderstanding,boom—you were back on the matchmaking menu.” He let out an incredulous laugh.
Then something else clicked, and his eyes widened all over again. “Wait. Oh my God. You’re the girl behindthatphoto.” He gasped, pointing at her. “Ethan Knight, looking like he was sculpted by the gods themselves after a night of…well.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I zoomed in more than once. Honestly? I’m feeling personally betrayed right now.”
Priya smiled wistfully. “There’s nothing to be jealous of. That chapter of my life is closed.”
Dinesh sighed, shaking his head. “Life is wild, isn’t it?”
“I have a feeling it’s about to get even messier when I tell my parents the truth.”
“Yikes. Wishing youallthe luck with that.” Standing up, he gave her a nod. “Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to do the same.” He opened his arms. “This was a surprisingly great conversation.”
Priya grinned. “Likewise.” She hugged him.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Puppa approaching the door, only to immediately retreat to the kitchen.Great, she thought.He’s definitely reporting the hug to Mumma, and the two of them are high-fiving over their matchmaking plan.
By the time she walked inside with Dinesh, Mumma was already beaming. “Tea is ready!” she declared, her voice humming with joy.
“Thank you, Seema Auntie, but I really should get going,” Dinesh said, offering a polite smile. “Goodbye, Rakesh Uncle.”
Puppa’s expression faltered, his smile slipping as he watched Dinesh move toward the door.
“But Dinesh, beta, bhajiya…” Mumma hurried after him, with a plate of potato fritters.
“I wish I could stay.” Dinesh gave her an apologetic smile as he slipped into his shoes.
“Chai?” Puppa lifted a cup of tea.
“I really have to go, but thank you so much for everything. I had a wonderful time.” He shot Priya a warm smile before closing the door behind him.
The room fell into a charged silence. Priya didn’t need to turn around to feel her parents staring at her, waiting for an explanation.
Thirty-One
As Priya turnedto face her parents, Mumma wasted no time. “What did you say to Dinesh?”
Puppa set his cup of tea down and crossed his arms, his lips pressed into a thin line.
“Just so you know,” Priya began, “I didn’t do anything to send Dinesh packing. I just told him the truth. And it’s time you know it too.”
Mumma’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
Priya took a deep breath, pulled up a photo on her phone, and held it out. Her parents leaned in, peering at the screen.
“Why are you showing us a photo of Mr. Ethan?” Puppa asked, confused.
“Look closer.”
Puppa’s expression clouded as the pieces clicked into place. Sensing the shift in his demeanor, Mumma grabbed the phone and studied the details more closely—the room, the quilt, the pillowcase.
Her voice was sharp, almost breathless. “Mr. Ethan was sleeping in your bed? Was there an issue at the coach house?”
Puppa let out a frustrated breath. “Think, Seema. Think.”
Mumma studied the image again, this time truly seeing it. The bare chest. The smoldering gaze. The unmistakable intimacy of the moment. And worst of all, the realization that Priya was the one who had taken the photo. She let out a sharp gasp, her hands flying to her mouth.
