“We’re fine,” grumped Roshan.
She shrugged as if she had not a care in the world and turned to leave. “Okay.”
“Wait,” Vishal called out. “Do you know how to surf?”
“Well,” she said as she turned back to face them, “I’ve surfed around the world. But I learned here.” She glanced toward the ocean. It was true. Her colleagues had taught her. Well, one colleague in particular. She grinned at the memory. What a fun fling that had been.
“So you could teach us?” Karan asked. “We could pay you.”
“Listen, I may have to stay a bit longer than I expected. Cover the room for a few days, and not only will I teach you to surf, I will be your actual tour guide.” She side-eyed Roshan. “Make sure you know what you’re doing and all that.”
“No.” Roshan’s response was quick and curt.
Nimita pursed her lips. “I was wondering when you would come out and say you knew everything and didn’t need help.” She thought about how he’d been in high school. Although,hehad been the one to request a tutor back then. She’d only found out why later.
“I just don’t really think we need a tour guide. We can manage on our own,” Roshan shot back. “You gave us quite the detailed itinerary.” It was clear he did not want her to join.
She shrugged. She really needed to stay, but no sense in appearing desperate about it. “Suit yourself.” She turned to go again.
“Wait,” Vishal called out. “Ro, sheknowsplaces. It might be fun. Plus teaching us to surf?”
“It’s aguys’trip,” Roshan insisted.
“She can be one of the guys,” Vishal said. “Sorry.” He looked at her. “I mean of course you’re not a guy. But none of us is trying to date you, right?”
“Of course not.” Roshan was so quick to answer, it was nearly insulting.
“Right back at you,” Nimita said.
“So she can be our guide,” Karan added.
Roshan looked from one friend to the other, avoiding Nimita completely. “Fine. Whatever.” He shrugged.
Not an enthusiastic endorsement, but she wasn’t here to make friends. “So we have a deal?”
* * *
“Looks that way,” Roshan grumbled, and he couldn’t believe it. Seriously? Nimita Chaudhary was going to be their tour guide? His body still ached from where she had hit him. He wasn’t about to admit it to her, but he was impressed with her ability to defend herself. Maybe Malini should take some self-defense classes. Then again, she needed to take care not to break any bones…
Nimita had tutored him in high school. He had graduated second to her. It was the first time he had worked for a goal and not reached it. He had been awful to her about it. Was her obvious dislike of him because of that, or because he mistakenly broke into her room last night?
He glanced at her. She had been cute back then, all gangly arms and legs. She had grown into a beautiful woman, beautiful eyes, wavy hair and curves everywhere. She likely had better things to do than worry about mean things a boy had said to her in high school.
To be fair, he hadn’t really considered dating her until Vishal mentioned that none of them was interested in her.
Now he couldn’t stop thinking about it. He realized he had been watching her longer than was considered appropriate and switched his gaze to his friends.
Vishal and Karan shared a quick glance they thought he didn’t see. “Great. We’re all in agreement,” Karan said. “Nimita’s going to guideus.”
“Absolutely.”
“And we really should pay you for your knowledge,” Vishal added.
“The room will suffice.” Nimita grinned. She raised an eyebrow. “Are we a go?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
