“Sonia. She’s a doctor. Pediatrician.”
Of course she was, the little bitch. Professional, just like him. Straight and narrow, most likely. They’d be perfect together and make perfect little doctor babies together.Ugh.“Nice,” she said.
“And Akash? What does he do?”
Goddamn. She could not remember right now, not with Dhillon-V standing there looking cool as a cucumber and hotter than fuck all dressed up for some other woman. “Oh, he’s in IT. Computers.” Or something like that.
“Sounds great.”
“It is,” she added smugly, as if IT wasthething.
“Well, I should go.” Dhillon opened his car door.
“Have fun!” She forced lightness into her voice. “I know I will.”
twenty-two
DHILLON
Dhillon watched Riya drive off in his rearview mirror, then pulled out of the driveway himself and headed for the harbor. He tried not to think about Riya or how stunning she was tonight.
What the hell was that dress Riya had on? No. He shook his head and concentrated on what he knew about his date so he wouldn’t sound like an idiot.
When he’d spoken to Sonia on the phone, she’d seemed like a very nice person. In addition to being a pediatrician, she loved cooking and hiking.
She had picked a place in the harbor that ended up being just a few blocks from the bar where he and Riya had sung karaoke just a few weeks ago. He hardly had to wait before a very attractive woman with soft brown skin entered, looking as though she was searching for someone. She looked just like her picture. Dhillon approached.
“Sonia?”
She looked up at him and smiled. She was gorgeous. Fabulous smile, taller than Riya.Stop doing that!
“Yes. Dhillon?” She laughed and extended her hand when he nodded. “Nice to meet you. Sorry I’m late.”
“No, not at all. Let’s get the table.”
The hostess led them to their table. Dhillon waited while she sat, then seated himself. The night was warm, so he had requested outdoor seating to enjoy the view.
They ordered a bottle of wine, and the conversation flowed with ease. She loved outdoor dining and seafood. She was the middle child with brothers on either side of her, and her stories about growing up the middle sister of two boys were hilarious. She practiced in a small office in Baltimore and was on her way to becoming a partner.
Though Dhillon found he was enjoying himself, his thoughts drifted to what Riya was doing just a couple of miles down the road in Little Italy. Was she impressing her date? Of course she was. She had tales from being a paramedic, and now from firefighting. She was tough but warm and kind. She was beautiful. She had a dry sense of humor, but she was easy to get along with. As long as your name wasn’t Dhillon Vora. Akash-the-IT-guy would be an idiot to not like her.
“That sounds great. Don’t you think, Dhillon?” Sonia was looking at him. “Dhillon?”
The waiter was at the table. He had no idea what had just been said.
Dhillon glanced at the waiter for a clue.
“Dessert menu?” he asked, one eyebrow raised, as if he knew Dhillon had been thinking about another woman just now.
“Always.” He grinned and turned his attention back to Sonia.Yes. Focus on Sonia.
The waiter left, taking his judgment with him.
“So did you have any pets growing up?” Dhillon asked, as he emptied the last of the wine into her glass.
“Hell, no.” She scrunched up her face and picked up her wineglass. “Thanks.”
Dhillon put the bottle down and paused. “What?”
