Page 116 of Fixation

“Umm, guys,” Reina chirped, “Now that we’re done with the hard talk, I suppose I should also tell you all that Vedant proposed to me and I said yes, and?—”

A second of silence followed her declaration before chaos descended. Navya and Sheena shrieked and leapt up to give Reina a hug. His brothers came and congratulated him. Mihir went to fetch a bottle of champagne.

Finally, Rajiv came to him. “Welcome to my family. You’ll get used to all the loud noises and chatter. But know this, we love hard, and like you guys, we protect our own.”

“You ought to know that I’ve asked her to move in with me,” Vedant informed him. “And she’s agreed.”

“Which means I have to convince my parents that the second of their three girls is going to be in a live-in relationship!” Rajiv groaned. “Why can’t you guys just get married?”

“Sure, I’d love to do that,” Armaan interjected from the side. “Tell Ananya and Mihir to agree to be in the same room together.”

Rajiv looked heavenward. “I’m not getting intothat.”

“Actually, we all need to get into that,” Vedant said. “They have to get along for our sakes. We can’t indefinitely postpone our weddings because of them.”

“I agree,” Sheena said, joining their circle. “I hate that Ananya is not here with us celebrating.”

“I just called her,” Navya added. “She knows what’s happening here, and she’s delighted. But she’s decided to sit tonight out. Doesn’t want her drama with Mihir to ruin Vedant and Reina’s big announcement. Oh, and I’ve told Mom and Dad.They’re joining us here. Even more reason for Ananya to stay away. She doesn’t want to be at odds with Mihir in front of them.”

“Why can’t they just get along?” Reina grimaced. “I miss having my sister here.”

“I’ll speak to Mihir,” Vedant said. “Now that two Mehra sisters are going to be a part of our family, Ananya and he have to set their differences aside.”

“Good luck with that!” Armaan gulped his vodka. “Believe me, I’ve tried, and it’s been of no use.”

“By the way, Rei,” Rajiv said. “You never told Sheena and me the whole story of how you met Vedant. We only know that you met him in London.”

Reina shared a look with Navya before replying. “I did.”

“And?” Rajiv asked. “I’m sure there’s more. Tell us.”

“Actually, I was her patient,” Vedant said. “She treated me after I was attacked, and we fell in love during that time.”

“She treated youafteryou were attacked?” Rajiv asked.

“Yes,” Vedant gave Reina a warm look. “She saved my life.”

From ahead of him, Navya was scowling and Armaan had a palm pressed to his forehead, a frown on his face.

“What?” Vedant asked them. “Why are you both looking mad?

“You idiot,” Armaan murmured. “You didn’t have to tell him that. You do know that Mihir and he talk, which means…”

Fuck. It meant that Rajiv had definitely been aware that Mihir had forced a team of doctors to look after Vedant. And seeing the angry expression on Rajiv’s face, it meant that he’d put two and two together.

Mihir entered that moment with a bottle of champagne. One of their staff followed him carrying a tray of flutes.

Rajiv went to him, arms crossed on his chest and a glower on his face.

“What?” Mihir asked Rajiv. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I thought you and I were friends, of a sort,” Rajiv said.

Fuck. Vedant wanted to bang his forehead for letting the cat out of the bag and getting his brother in trouble.

“We are,” Mihir said, looking mighty confused.

“And yet you got my baby sister kidnapped and held her hostage?” Rajiv yelled. “How dare you?”

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