“What happened? Did you accidentally sleep with him?” Roshni laughed.
The thing about besties was that they could read even the smallest hesitation. Riya’s hand stopped for a second as she added the masala to the water, and Roshni stopped laughing. She clapped her hand over her mouth and walked a lap around the small kitchen. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “You totally slept with him.”
Riya forced herself to keep moving.
“You better start talking.” Roshni opened the pantry and pulled out the container of chocolate chip cookies. She bit into one while Riya spoke.
“Not much to say. Lucky died. We were sad. I took Dhillon for karaoke and a canoe ride to distract us. Next thing we know, we’re in bed.”
“Sounds great so far.” She grabbed another cookie. “Except for where Lucky died.”
“Or the part where his sister called, and he lied to her about where he was?” Riya interjected.
“Do you really think strong-but-silent Dhillon Vora is going to tell his baby sister he’s in bed with you?” Roshni pointed the cookie at her.
“It wasn’t like that. He lied about where he was and then told her he was coming home. If he didn’t want to get into it, he could have just said he was out with some random woman so he could stay with me. But he needed an out, and he went home.”
“Riya...”
She held up her hand. “Don’t. It’s fine. It’s not like I haven’t had more than my share of one-night stands.” She turned back to the chai and added the loose tea to the pot.
“But this is Dhillon.” Roshni took one more cookie and put away the container.
“He’s a caveman,” Riya grumbled.
Roshni laughed out loud. “Dhillon Vora is a lot of things. Smart. Kind. Caring. Superhot.”
Riya cocked an eyebrow at her.
“What? I have eyes. And that man is six feet of pure muscle and grace, and he loves animals. And that scruff he’s been sporting is not hurting him one bit. I bet all the women pet owners love having him as their vet. Not to mention those teenage girls he and Hetal coach who probably only come to practice to watch him. But he is not a caveman.”
“He hates that I’m a firefighter,” Riya said.
Roshni furrowed her brow. “Hmm. Didn’t see that coming. Wouldn’t most guys find that hot?”
Well, not Dhillon, apparently. “Whatever.”
“You canwhateverme all you want, but you have loved that boy since you were both kids.”
“How could you possibly even know that?” It was true. But still.
Roshni leaned toward her, a grin worthy of the Cheshire cat on her face. “Because I was there that Rakshabandan when the parents tried to get you to tie a rakhi on Dhillon as hissister. And you refused. You could not have been more than—”
“Nine. I was nine.” Riya allowed herself a small smile as she added the milk and mint to the boiling mixture. “And I just didn’t want to embarrass him if he didn’t have a gift ready.” That was her story, and she was sticking to it.
“Uh-huh.”
“Hey, Riya!” Dhillon’s voice boomed from the front door, sending a jolt of unwanted excitement through her body.
She swallowed hard and did her best to form her face into a mask of indifference, but warmth flooded her cheeks instead.
Roshni giggled. “Speak of the superhot devil.”
“Kitchen,” Riya managed to croak out.
“Scout has nearly chewed through this rope tether.” Dhillon entered the kitchen, his sunglasses on top of his head and a very contented-looking Scout under one arm, the frayed rope in his other hand. He was still in his scrubs, but they were disheveled, and he was sweaty.
“Seriously?” Riya shook her head at the puppy. “You trying to get away? What am I going to do with you?” It was easier to talk to the dog. She could not think about what she wanted to do to Dhillon. Still wanted to do.
