Oh god.
I feel my stomach drop like I made a terrible choice and got on a roller coaster. Because I do want him to see my victories. I think his opinion matters to me. I think it’s mattered for a while.
But I can’t really like him. Because on the list of things that I’ve known since elementary school is: I’m going to run Loot, I’m going to have a puppy at some point, and I hate Gavin Carlyle.
He makes my blood boil...in anger, nothing else.
But if he’s showing weakness, I need to get my stomach in order and take advantage. The lion doesn’t call an Uber to take the wounded gazelle to the hospital—she takes him down.
“I don’t promise I won’t steal all your clients, but if you can accept that, then I suppose I’ll go.” I concede with all the grace of the queen allowing Parliament to make laws. Graciously giving permission even though I don’t really have a choice.
Gavin shakes his head. “You’re something, Riya.”
“You can pick me up at six.”
“It starts at five thirty.”
“Like I said, you can pick me up at five from the office.”
I gather what little dignity I have after being caught red-handed in subterfuge and flee. I don’t slow down until I burst out of the building to the sweet, cool air of freedom. I turn the corner into an alley and lean against the wall to catch my breath, hand on my heart. Trying to figure out what just happened is worse than trying to figure out which purse to use when I go out.
I hear the sound of footsteps around the corner and my body tenses for flight or fight. While I’m still stuck on freeze, Sonia rounds the corner.
“Priya and Gavin, sitting in a tree,” she starts to sing.
“Shut up.” I shoot out my hand to grab her arm and pull her in the alley with me. “Why didn’t you help me?”
“You were fine. Your virtue might have been at risk, but I know you haven’t had that since your first year at Cambridge.”
“Okay. Super harsh.”
“I was at the ready when he barged in on you. I was preparing my best swoon. I even started commenting on how hot it was and fanning myself with my clutch to make it believable. But then he started showing you art and asking you out, so I figured you were in good hands.”
Strong, attractive hands. Hands I’ve seen show the utmost care in handling some of the most beautiful works of art in history. The contrast of his strong hands and the delicate materials never fails to make my nether regions perk up and take notice.
Focus.I mentally snap my own fingers in front of my face. Where were we?
Right, yelling at our disloyal family.
“Now he’s holding me hostage at some charity event.”
“No one believes you’re a hostage. You’ll probably get a new client out of it, and you’ll be able to do it in front of Gavin.”
I open my mouth to explain that I’ll have to make small talk with the devil, when she cuts me off.
“And it could be worse. You could be in prison. Do you know where the bathroom in prison is? In the middle of the room, that’s where.”
In a rare moment for me, I’m speechless. A forced date with Gavin isn’t as bad as prison, if she’s forcing me to acknowledge reality.
“Can’t you even let me have my moment?” Body finally relaxed after the excitement of the last thirty minutes, I slip my arm in the crook of Sonia’s arm and drag her toward my apartment.
“Not when you’re bringing unnecessary drama to the situation.”
We look at each other and laugh. Because it’s a truth universally acknowledged that a Gupta brings the drama. In the tradition of the best Indian soap operas.
Chapter Eight
“What does one wear to a blackmailed event?”I ask Ajay in front of my mirror, imagining different outfits. “Should I make him eat his heart out in something tight and short, or embarrass him by going for comfort in yoga pants and an old Margaritaville shirt?”
