“It was always your dream to go back to England.”
“Yeah. It’s much grayer here than I remember.”
She tightened her grip on the phone. Ken had talked about his childhood often enough over the years, painting it in rosy hues. When she’d proposed that he return there, he’d seemed delighted. Coming off the heels of her mother kidnapping her, she’d been equal parts sad he’d be so far away and happy he’d be safer. “You don’t like it there?”
Ken changed the subject so fast, she had her answer. “I’m upset you’re all alone.”
“Not alone. There’s a guy.”
“Oh?” There was interest in his voice. “Think he’ll stick around long enough for me to check him out?”
Oddly enough, the thought of that possibility didn’t make Sejal break out in hives, as mad as she was at Krish. “Eh. Listen, I should go.”
“I love you, Sejal,” he repeated. “Talk later.”
“I love you, too.” She hung up.
You need to bring him home so you can keep a closer eye on him.
No shit, but that would take a minute. In the meantime...
“Hillview Estates, Jolene speaking—”
“Jolene, this is Ken’s daughter,” Sejal said crisply. “What are you feeding my father?”
Jolene cleared her throat. “He has a heart-healthy diet.”
“A heart-healthy diet can include some seasonings. I’m going to hire a nutritionist tomorrow who can work with his doctor. I’d like the chef to start making him meals he’ll actually enjoy.”
“We cannot accommodate individual meals—”
“You do it all the time when your resident is wealthy enough. He’s not eating as much as he could, is he?”
Her silence was all the confirmation Sejal needed. “Then find someone who can work with my dad and your chef to create a diet he can live with. Surely you’d like your residents to be healthy and happy, yes?”
“Of course.” Except the words sounded like they came from between gritted teeth.
“Great. Talk soon.” Sejal tried not to bang the phone on the table, but she didn’t put it down gently.
“Is this seat taken?”
She looked up, then did a double take.
Hoo boy.“Wow,” she said, then had to say it again. “Wow.”
Krish slid into the booth across from her. “I hope that’s a goodwow.” He tugged at the collar of his shirt. “Otherwise, I’m glad I spent someone else’s money on this suit.”
“It’s a very goodwow.” She peered at him. “Did you get your hair cut?”
He ran his hand through it. “A trim. You said to use Alexei’s card everywhere.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining.” She hadn’t been one who found men in suits attractive before, but the charcoal suit was expensive and cut to perfection, and the green shirt turned his eyes an unbelievably glowing light aventurine. His beard had been shaped up, the edges perfect slashes across his cheeks.
“Is everything okay?” Krish asked, and nodded at the phone.
“Yes. Just had to take care of my dad. Ken,” she corrected. “There’s this red meat smuggling ring going on... anyway, it’s complicated, don’t worry about it.”
“I fear that I’m going to worry about it now.”
