Page 49 of The Ex Factor

“That’s what you think, bro. I think he’s overcompensating for his father’s fondness for you.”

“His father is my dad’s friend. That’s how we became roommates that year.”

“Yup, and apparently, he couldn’t stop talking about how brilliant you are.”

“Are you supposed to tell me all this?”

Adil had shrugged with one shoulder, as was his style. “I believe in good deeds, brother, and the good lord knows this is one.” He patted my shoulder. “Watch your back.”

“Tejal said the same thing,” I’d told him.

“Believe her,” he’d advised.

Keep your enemies close, they say. That’s what I had done. Keeping him close had worked to disarm him. Over the years, his obsession with me had seemed to wane, especially as he struggled with keeping his own company afloat. But I knew that he wouldn’t give up any opportunity to sabotage me.

I saw him out on the balcony with Aarti as I placed the plates and napkins on the table. I glanced over my shoulder at Adil, who was already throwing me concerned looks. I nodded in reassurance and wished, yet again, that everyone would stop worrying about me. It made me feel helpless and small, like a kid. And it wasn’t like Aarti and I were dating.

“Shall we call the lovebirds back in?” Chris said as he grabbed a sandwich off the platter.

“Sure,” I said and settled down before I was tasked with the job.

Adil put his fingers in his mouth and blew a sharp whistle that pierced through my ear drum, and the two heard it on the balcony. When he waved them in, they came back in and settled around the table with the rest of us.

“These look good,” Manoj said with a warm smile directed at Aarti. “I take it back. Having a pretty woman on game nights does have its perks.”

I tamped down the jealousy rising inside me when I heard Aarti respond, “As I understand Jas is a part of your game nights. Do you mean to imply that she’s not attractive?”

Manoj’s jaw dropped.

Aarti put up a finger and added, “I suggest you think very carefully before answering that question.”

She picked up her ham, provolone, and arugula as Chris burst into inconsolable laughter. Manoj shut his mouth quickly.

“I’m so glad Manoj’s getting what he deserves. He’s been having a very easy time since Jas ditched us to care for her baby,” Chris said with a grin.

“Yes, that was utterly selfish of her,” Adil deadpanned as he bit into his chicken sandwich and nodded with approval. “Good choice, man!” he said to me. “Maybe we should switch our regular menu to sandwiches from this place.”

“You’ll need permission from Jas,” Aarti said with a smile.

Maybe this could save me from Jas’ mockery. If I told her how Aarti had had her back all night, maybe she’d consider being a little less harsh on me.

After my friends left and we cleaned up the remnants of the game night, Aarti suggested popping open a bottle of her favorite white.

She revealed how she’d managed to beat us that evening. “It is a game of knowing your opponent.”

“You mean friends?” I corrected.

“It’s literally called Cards Against Humanity. I’m sure the creators didn’t intend it as friendly.”

I laughed.

“Adil was the easiest. He’s a decent guy, so he’d always choose the least problematic card. That’s what I did, too. Chris was just being his charming self and giving me all kinds of hints with his body language. The most challenging was Manoj. He tried to throw me off a couple of times by switching gears, but I needed to win.”

“What about me?” I asked, masking my desperation with a cool voice.

Delicately resting the flute on her thigh, she smiled her naughty smile. “You were the easiest, Sujit. I know you quite well now.”

I relaxed against the couch with satisfaction. “That isn’t good for me.”

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