Page 21 of The Ex Factor

“It’s for a new project I’ve been thinking about,” I found myself blurting. She had the knack of rendering me defenseless against her brilliance. “There are maybe five people who know about it.”

She picked up her wine. “I can keep a secret if you feel inclined to share.”

Inclined, I was.

“My younger cousin is a sculptor, and during a conversation with her some months ago, I thought of creating an online marketplace for freelance artists.”

“That’s why you’re looking for places in Brooklyn. I thought it was only because it’s cheaper than leasing another place in Manhattan.”

Her changed posture suggested that she had put her businesswoman hat back on. She sat upright, and her legs were crossed under the table. With the wine glass in one hand, she pulled her free arm across her chest,

“Price is one factor,” I replied.

“What’s the other?”

“I’m thinking of a workspace, a studio of sorts that artists can use when they need to.”

“That’s a great idea, Sujit. Like a rent-an-office space.”

“Yes, but less pricey, and will offer more flexibility for short-term rentals and be close enough for effective and practical use.”

“I think you might be on to something interesting here. Tell me how I can help.”

“I need a space for backend work and a large space for multiple studio offices.”

“I think we might have just bought something that I can offer you for a reasonable rent. Let me talk to Dad.”

My hand stilled at the mention of her father. Would he agree to lease it to me if he knew who I was?

Again, Aarti read my face with the perceptiveness that I had come to expect of her by now and said, “Of course, I wouldn’t mention who you are.”

Her words intrigued me, maybe stung me slightly.

“Would that be a problem? Knowing who I am? Or was, rather. It’s all in the past now, isn’t it?”

“I wish we could shove it aside that effortlessly.” She sighed. “Dad took my breakup the hardest. The night of the party, he had stood before the city that respects him and declared he was making Sameer a partner in his business. A couple of weeks later, Sameer had made him look like a fool. But it was my broken heart that made him the most furious.”

Her eyes glazed for a moment like she was revisiting that day in the past. When she finally steadied them on me, I said, “For me, it was my sister-in-law Cathy who took it the hardest. She wanted to call Tara and blast her for her behavior, but of course, that would’ve hurt me, so she didn’t. She wanted to, though.”

“My dad called Sameer’s father and went off on him. He threatened to ruin Sameer, and I think he did cause some damage to his reputation and business. Mom is magnanimous. Dad isn’t. He still keeps oscillating between injury and anger. So, yeah, he hates Sameer, and he probably hates Tara and everything associated with them. He’s like a wounded lion right now, especially with the extravagant wedding Sameer has planned. I’d definitely not mention you to him.”

“I wouldn’t want to put you in an awkward situation, Aarti. We both have been through enough. I don’t want more trouble.”

“Please!” she said with a whiff of dismissal for her father’s anger. “If I couldn’t keep emotions out of business, I wouldn’t be here. Dad’s not that person, either. But Sameer hurt his daughter, and somehow, that took precedence over everything he’s held about running a business. It’s silly if you ask me.”

“Can I count on you, then? I’ll stop my inquiries immediately, especially because I don’t want the idea leaked before I have a chance to implement it in its entirety.”

She returned her wine glass to the table and nodded. “I’ll take care of it, Sujit. If we don’t have something to offer, I will find you the right place. You can rest assured. It’s off your plate. You don’t need to worry about it anymore.”

“Are you helping as a friend or as a business associate?” I don’t know if I should have asked that question, but her tone and words compelled me to.

She gave me her most elegant smile. “A friend. We suspended our business relations for the evening, remember?”

And suddenly, I was glad I asked because the warmth that coursed through my body at her words felt different than the whisky running through my system that night.

“I owe you a dinner,” she said when I dropped her off at the hotel. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. I’m glad we did this.”

“Me too,” I said, holding out my hand. “Goodnight.”

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