“I don’t think those were her words, but—”
“You can’t compare her to Riya.” No one compared to Riya.
“Fine. Then goafterRiya.” Ryan threw the ball at Dhillon, hitting him hard in the gut.
“You’re not listening. She’s definitely not interested.” Dhillon threw the ball at the net. “She made that abundantly clear. She couldn’t get home fast enough.” The ball hit the rim and bounced away.
He was just another guy to her.
seventeen
RIYA
“Hey!” Riya flung her arms around Roshni the best she could, considering her cousin’s bulging belly.
Roshni squeezed her tight. “God, I’m so sorry I haven’t been to see you in so long. Masi’s all settled?”
“Yes.” Riya stepped back, taking the bags of food from Roshni’s hands. “You didn’t have to cook.” She was still processing her last turbulent encounter with Dhillon, so this surprise visit from Roshni was a balm to her soul.
Roshni followed Riya into the house. “Duh, Sebastian cooked.” She smiled with that twinkle she always seemed to get in her eye when talking about her husband. “He made his special pasta that Masi loves.”
Scout rushed to greet the newcomer, letting out a small bark and hiding behind Riya’s legs. “It’s okay, girl,” Riya cooed to her. Then, turning back to Roshni, she asked, “Where is my little guy?”
“Anand is home with Sebastian.” Roshni rolled her perfectly made-up eyes. “Terrible threes. But he’s got a cold, and I didn’t want him near Masi.” She squatted down to Scout. “But once he finds out you have a puppy, he’ll be pissed he couldn’t come.”
“Oh, this is temporary. Until I find a home for her.” Riya walked Roshni back to the kitchen to empty the food bag. She left it on the counter and then placed her hands on Roshni’s baby bump. She bent down. “Hi, baby. It’s Riya Masi, your favorite aunt ever.”
“What can I do?” Roshni looked around the kitchen.
“Just sit. Mom’s sleeping. I sent Papa to the grocery store.”
“Thank God. I’m exhausted.” She plopped down at the small table. She was adorable in a peach maternity dress that hugged her baby bump just so. But Roshni always looked amazing—makeup done, black hair perfectly straight—all that with a full-time job and a toddler.
“Chai?”
“Duh. Yes.”
Riya placed a pot of water on the stove to boil, then turned back to her cousin. She and Roshni were exactly nine months apart, and there wasn’t much about Riya that Roshni did not know. Roshni was the only one in the family who had known when Riya had applied to become a firefighter. She was the one who talked Riya off the figurative ledge when she was at the academy and was convinced she’d never make it.
“I’m so sorry about Lucky. What timing, huh? Everything all at once.” Roshni shook her head.
Tears burned behind Riya’s eyes at the thought of Lucky. Not only had she lost Lucky himself, but the dog had also been the last thread in her bond with Dhillon. And after last night, everything was broken.
“Oh, sweetie.” Roshni hugged her. “I know you miss him.”
Riya leaned into her cousin’s embrace for a moment. “I do.”
“There’s something else, right?” Roshni pulled back and studied Riya’s face.
“No.” Riya shrugged and grabbed the small stainless steel canister of chai masala and the matching medium and large canisters of tea and sugar. Scout left the kitchen and went and stood by the door. Riya followed, letting her out on the tether, and returned to the kitchen.
“Lie to yourself, sis. But don’t lie to me.” Roshni plucked a few leaves of mint from the small plant on the windowsill. “It’s got to be Dhillon.”
Riya snapped her gaze to Roshni. “Why would you say that?”
“Um, you’re, like, living next door to him again. And you both just lost Lucky.” Roshni snapped her fingers. “You were with him last night!”
“Well, we were both with Lucky.” Riya busied herself with the chai.
