Page 37 of The Ex Factor

“Yes, you young people wouldn’t know about that.”

“You don’t say…but why don’t you?”

“What?”

“Go see Trevor Noah. It’s not like you can’t afford the tickets or the backstage pass.”

“It’s not always the money.” I smiled at her. “I never have the time. Rather, I never make an effort to make the time. Plus, I want someone to enjoy it with. I thought that was something Tara and I would do together, then she vanished from my life…Coffee’s ready. Go wash up. I’ve put fresh towels in the bathroom.”

She stood gazing at me for a few seconds, then turned around and stepped toward the bedroom.

After coffee, she prepared to leave. “I’ve got lots to do today.”

“Imran is here. He’ll drive you to the hotel.”

“That’s ok. My car service will be here in no time,” she said, unlocking her phone. “I’m sure you have a busy day too.”

“I’ve pushed back my morning meetings. Don’t worry, he’ll drop you and come get me.”

“Pushed back the meetings!” She made a gasping sound. “How did sweet Devi agree to that?”

“Sweet Devi isn’t all that sweet. I’ll get an earful when I reach work. I’ll fill you up on it this evening.”

“Evening?” She pivoted with speed to face me. “Are we meeting again tonight?”

I shrugged. “We don’t have to if you’re busy. I just don’t want you spending Friday evening alone.”

“Who says I’ll be alone?” she said with a cocked eyebrow.

“You won’t be,” I announced as I walked to the door and held it open for her. “You’ll spend it with me.”

“Throwing me out, are you?”

“As promised.” I leaned in to kiss her cheek. “See you this evening, sweet girl.”

She smiled and waved at me from the elevators.

AARTI

Sweet girl,he said, and I loved it. From his mouth, in his voice, in that tone, it sounded neither infantilizing nor patronizing. Ringing with affection, it felt validating. It made me feel special.

I turned and looked at him standing at his door. When I waved, he waved back with a quick flash of his dimples.

He was an exceedingly striking man who made the word handsome sound pedestrian, but he was at ease with his looks. His outward appearance was not what made him. It was incidental to his overall life goals and achievements. But he didn’t miss the admiration he got as he strode through the world with confidence and nonchalance.

I had first seen him when he was in Dallas for Tara’s exhibition at the art museum. Apparently, he had surprised her by claiming that he had a big meeting he couldn’t miss, but secretly made plans with her mother to fly in on the day. Sameer and I were there as patrons of the museum.

The look of love and happiness on Sujit’s face as he gazed at Tara had left me slightly envious. My eyes had drifted to Sameer in search of similar validation, but his eyes were on Tara as well.In retrospect, I was jealous that Tara had the undivided love of two beautiful, decent men.

Sujit was surrounded by beauty and glamor that evening, but his eyes never wavered from Tara. The pride on his face when she addressed the audience, his loyalty to her, might as well have been etched in stone, scribbled across the skies. It was unmistakable.

So even as I found myself drawn to this brilliant, kind man, I knew I’d only be second best. I could never have his heart like Tara did. It wasn’t that I was seriously considering the possibility, but whenever my mind tried to flirt with the idea, my brain shot it right down.

With a sigh, I stepped off the elevator.

Imran waited for me at the entrance, holding the door open for me with eyes averted in deference. I thanked him and made small talk as he drove me to the hotel. I considered myself savvy, but I couldn’t get him to spill anything about Sujit and Tara’s relationship. Not that I was obviously prying. I had more finesse than that, but he was smart and loyal to a fault. He made himself out to be “just his driver,” but I had seen the smiles and the grins that passed between him and Sujit. Imran was not just a driver. He was a confidant. And Sujit had earned his trust in some way.

I’d just stepped into my room when the phone buzzed in my hand. It was a video call from Mom.

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