“How is dear Sajan?” Naya dragged out Sajan’s name in that singsong-y way they used to when they were kids.
Oh.
“You weren’t out with Sajan?”
“Um, no.” She didn’t feel like explaining who it was, so she turned and headed for her room.
“Then who was it?” Naya had followed her.
“No one.”
“‘No one’ left awfully quickly.”
“We’re just friends, and he had somewhere to be.” Annika shrugged and entered her room. Again, Naya followed. This woman had no boundaries.
“So why won’t you tell me who it—” She pointed a finger at Annika. “This is someone youlike.” She narrowed her eyes and gasped, shaking her finger at her. “You were out with thatnurse, from the bar, and you were dancing with him last weekend. What was his name? Daniel! You were out with that Daniel, weren’t you?”
It sounded scarily like an accusation, but hadn’t Naya been the one to tell her to go for it?
“He’s a nursepractitioner,” Annika defended him. “And everyone was dancing.” She defended herself.
“Yeah, but who knew that he could garba like that? And he couldn’t take his eyes off you.” Naya’s eyes widened. “But what about Sajan?”
“What about him? He’s nice, but—”
“Weren’t you at the wedding? Everyone was talking about what a great couple you two would make.”
“Who is everyone?”
“Your parents. And mine.”
Annika raised her eyebrows.
“And maybe his,” Naya added.
“What? I never said—I didn’t do—I really hate the gossip thing.” Annika flopped down onto her bed.
“I knew it—you were out with Daniel!”
“What if I was?”
“I thought he was a stalker or something?”
“He’s not. In fact, he’s very, very...”Sweet. Kind. Sexy. Distracted by his ex-wife. Weird aversion to his nephew.Whatwasshe doing? Sajan was sweet and kind and handsome by anyone’s standards. He didn’t come with secrets, or ex-wives, or weird bourbon issues. He’d grown up like she did—he wouldgether—like Naya and Ravi.
But Danieldidunderstand her.
Her parents already liked Sajan.
“Annika? Hellooo? Annika?” Naya was waving her hand in front of Annika’s face. “Where’d you go?”
“Nowhere. How’s Ravi?” Just as she’d hoped, Naya’s eyes got all dreamy, and she forgot about lecturing Annika.
“He’s awesome.” But then she snapped her gaze to Annika. “Nice try. But we’re talking about you.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m not seeing either of them right now.” It was true, nothing had really happened with Sajan, and Daniel was...complicated.
“Your dad will pitch a fit if you try to date Daniel.” Naya had her arms folded across her body.
