Page 80 of Pillow Talk
‘So what happens when Sen pops by…let’s say tonight, for some action? What are you going to do?’
‘I’m going to ghost him.’
Aruna groaned and shook her head again.
Shona looked away, a little ashamed that her baby sister was better at navigating romantic relationships than she was.
‘So you’re going to ghost Senthil Aiyer forever?’
Shona nodded.
Aruna threw her hands up in the air again.
‘And you don’t see anything wrong with that plan?’
‘Aruna, what could go wrong? If he approached me, I would just say I’d decided to end our arrangement.’
‘And Senthil will just accept that without wanting an explanation? Are we talking about the same Senthil? Because the one I know would call bullshit.’
‘Sen doesn’t like complications, Aruna. I’m complicated,’ Shona muttered.
‘But don’t you get it? You’re making it complicated. All of this could be solved with one conversation,’ Aruna urged.
‘I’ll stick to ghosting him. Now where’s my chocolate cake?’
Aruna sat back and looked at Shona, a gaze mixed with disbelief, frustration and sympathy.
Chapter
Thirteen
Shona convinced herself that she had nothing to be heartbroken about. Senthil Aiyer had been a friend with benefits and now it was over. He had not made any promises to her and she hadn’t given him her heart. She simply needed to get used to the idea of not having him around as often as he had been in the past nine months.
She’d arranged to meet a shopfitter at her new premises a week after signing the lease and, just as she was going through a book of paint swatches, her phone rang.
‘Stranger, have you forgotten your best friend?’
Shona laughed.
‘Anni, I’m so sorry. I know you’ve been busy, and I am too,’ she said.
‘I forgive you. I saw your mother earlier and she told me about the shop. Sho, you’re doing this. I can’t believe it – I’m so excited,’ she enthused.
‘Thanks, Anni. I’m nervous but excited too.’
‘I called to invite you to Sam’s birthday party on Saturday. It’s last minute – I decided on the spur of the moment to have a party.’ It was so unlike Anni to do anything on the spur of the moment. It must mean her friend was finally healing from the childhood trauma that constantly made her doubt herself. Samwas good for her.
Shona knew she couldn’t refuse, even if Sen was going to be there. She would be mature about it. He’d moved on and she would respect that.
‘Give me the details. I’ll be there.’
Sen sat at the bar drinking a beer with his friend.
‘I’m so lucky,’ said Sam.
‘You are. Anni really outdid herself with this party.’
Sen looked around at the dance floor and the buffet station. People were genuinely enjoying themselves.
