Vishal and Karan exchanged meaningful glances at each other, then at Nimita and Roshan.
Roshan inhaled deeply, looking at his buddies. They forgot sometimes that they’d all known each other since they were four. Which meant Roshan could read them like a book. They thought they were going to set him up with her. They had no idea what a jerk he had been to her back in high school. It was never going to happen.
Not to mention, it took all of his energy to take care of his sister and his patients. He had no time or room for a relationship, regardless of how much his parents nagged.
Or used his friends to get to him.
“Yeah, okay.” He shrugged like it didn’t matter to him either way.
He thought he saw Nimita smirk from the corner of his eye. It was going to be a long few days. What he needed now was his laptop.
“Great.” Karan clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s go to the beach.”
“I think I’m going to lie down for a bit. Recover from being abused last night.” He did his best to sound casual.
Vishal laughed. “That’s what the beach is for. You’re trying to go work.”
“Like you’re not itching to check in with work,” Roshan pointed out.
“True.” Vishal nodded. “But what’s the first rule of Guys’ Trip?”
“Don’t talk about Guys’ Trip,” Nimita offered innocently.
Roshan smiled at her in spite of himself.
“That’s actually the second rule,” Vishal said. “The first rule is no work.”
The third rule was no women. But they were apparently breaking that one.
Roshan sighed. This was why he always got his own room. Eight days of no work was not possible. He needed to check in with patients, needed to be there for them. It was irresponsible not to do so. He wouldn’t have expected any less from the doctors who had treated Malini over the years.
Nimita sat down and pulled out her phone, and Roshan let his gaze follow her. When he saw that she was browsing vehicle rentals, his jaw dropped. “You didn’t even book a car for us, Vishal?”
“You can stay and help Nimita—” started Karan.
“No. He can’t,” she quipped.
“No. Way,” Roshan retorted at the same time.
Well, at least they were on the same page. Roshan turned and followed Vishal and Karan out past the pool to the beach.
They headed straight for the water. It was early, but people were starting to swim in the beautiful water. Roshan put aside his concerns and gave himself over to his vacation. He was still sore, but the saltwater felt great.
“Time has been a friend to Nimita,” Vishal said, treading water beside him. “Don’t you think?” He was looking at Karan, but fooling no one.
“Absolutely. She was cute in high school, but now she’s gorgeous. Right?” Karan looked at Roshan.
Roshan shook his head. “Not gonna happen, guys. I do not have time for a relationship right now.”
“Who said anything about a relationship?”
“I’m not having a one-night stand with my former tutor, either,” Roshan said.
Vishal laughed. “Just making conversation that our friend from high school is very attractive.”
Roshan pursed his lips. “Yeah. Uh-huh. Was she your friend?”
He looked past the guys and saw Nimita coming toward the beach. She was wearing a flowy skirt and a tight top, the sun lighting up her deep brown skin as a breeze played with her hair. He couldn’t look away.
