Page 47 of Not Your Basic Love Story

I nodded in agreement. “There weren’t many other female students when I was in school. I’m the only woman in my department.”

“Do you plan on completing your degree?” Shawan asked.

I hesitated. The memories of sitting in that room, the ticking clock mocking me, the scent of number two pencils, everyone else standing and turning in their papers while I struggled with page two… Nope. I couldn’t do it. My palms got sweaty even thinking about it. On top of that, I was trying to focus more on my personal life.

Shawan’s question felt weighted to me, though. I couldn’t help but think she was questioning how I’d have time to look after a family with a career going on and the possibility of more school coming up. “No,” I said finally. “Maybe one day in the future, but I’m happy where I’m at right now.”

“I think it’s so cool you’re an engineer!” Priya said excitedly. “Do you get to build stuff?”

I smiled, encouraged by her enthusiasm. “I wish. I thought that was what it would be like. But it’s a lot of software and computer stuff.”

She shrugged. “I still think it’s cool.”

Dev looked at me, beaming with pride. “Rebecca has been working on a model to turn eavestroughs into miniature water turbines to take houses off grid.”

I glared and nudged him with my foot.

“Is that right?” Jag asked, eyebrows shooting up.

I didn’t know him well enough to tell if he was actually interested or just pandering. “It’s something I’m playing around with after work. I’m working out all the kinks, making sure the math is sound. I don’t think anything will come of it. I’d need machines to make a prototype or at least a 3-D printer. And for that, I need cash.”

“Couldn’t you use the machines at work?” Dev asked.

I shook my head. “If I worked on it during work hours, they’d have a right to it. I have to get it patented first, secure funding, maybe apply for grants.” My mind drifted for a moment, imaging all the work ahead of me if I did intend to pursue it in earnest.

“It would be amazing if it worked, hey Papa?” Priya chimed in. “How much rain we get, maybe it could lower the cost of energy in your shops.”

“Exactly what I was thinking,” Jag said, looking thoughtful. “I could reach out to some people who may be interested in investing. I will arrange the meeting, and you can pitch your project to them.”

“Now there’s an idea,” Dev agreed.

I paled at the thought of standing in front of a bunch of people, telling them about my dreams and ambitions for green tech that hadn’t even been properly hashed out yet. Before I could object, noise erupted in the hallway as the front door opened and a crowd of people piled in.

“Ah! There you are!” Jag said, greeting the group as they walked in.

Four guys and two girls entered, all around Dev’s age.

My heart sunk, recognizing one of them immediately.

Moe.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Moe and I studied at one another.

He had a look in his eye that made me uneasy. I didn’t trust him, not after how he’d grabbed at me in Mexico or called me a bitch for refusing to dance with him. Though, he had been quite drunk at the time. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?

I tried my best to smile at him and make it seem genuine.

Moe and the others made their rounds kissing the cheeks of their relatives and introducing themselves to me before taking their seats. Conversations erupted around the table amongst the new group, everything loud and boisterous.

With a start, I recognized one of the girls from the pub. What was her name? Neetu? Damnit. I’d pretty much told her Dev and I were banging on a regular basis.

She smiled at me, but it did nothing to make me feel better. I’d forgotten to tell Dev about my slip-up.

I leaned over to Dev and spoke quietly in his ear. “These are all your cousins?”

He leaned in too. “Not all of them, no.”

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