Page 84 of The Ex Factor

I didn’t react. I was eager to know how she felt about it, about us.

“Sujit?” she prodded.

“I’m here.”

“You didn’t respond.”

“I can’t tell you how to feel, Aarti. But I will honor your decision, always. You know that.”

I heard a deep exhale.

“I’m not uncomfortable about being seen with you,” she replied. “Neither am I ashamed of our friendship.”

“And if people arrive at certain conclusions?” I attempted to test the waters.

“They always do, my good man, but that’s their problem, isn’t it? I just hope to dance my ass off.”

Devi knocked on the door to remind me of my next appointment. I waved her to give me a minute. “Well, I promise to be a consummate gentleman and have you back from the ball before your carriage turns into a pumpkin.”

“You are a gentleman even if you don’t try, Sujit. But I’m certainly not cut out to be a gentlelady. What if I end up wanting to spend the night at your place?”

“That would be absolutely out of the question. You have your own home now. I will make sure that you are tucked in safe and sound, like the sweet girl that you are.”

She offered me another short laugh, then whispered, “Thank you, Sujit.”

Saturday evening,I was en route to her apartment, perusing the file that Devi had entrusted Imran to place in the car for me.

“How is Razia?” I inquired about his sister with my eyes on the file in my lap.

“Good. She’s happy,” he said. I could feel his eyes on me in the mirror.

“How are her courses going? Any trouble catching up?”

“She didn’t say, but I will ask her.”

I looked at the mirror. “I know she’s working at the convenience store.”

He sat up straight, then slumped with a sigh. “I told her not to worry about money, to focus on her studies, but she feels like she’s a burden on me. I keep telling her you pay me well, but she feels obligated.”

“She’s a self-respecting person, like her brother, and I appreciate that. But if she doesn’t get the necessary skills, I won’t hire her, tell her that. She needs to be at the top of her game if she wants to come work for me.”

He smiled with relief. That was one threat he could use to get his sister to take her courses seriously. “I will tell her. She says she is already feeling bad that I am paying for her college.”

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s a very small amount. When she gets the job, she’ll be able to repay you in two months.”

“That’s what I told her, but she doesn’t listen. She’s stubborn.” He shook his head.

“Like her brother,” I said with a smile.

“Me, stubborn? Come on, Boss, you won’t find a more agreeable person.”

“Sure. Absolutely.”

He grinned wide.

“How’s Afra?” I asked.

He flashed a shy smile at the mention of his girlfriend. “She’s good too.”

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