“Careful,” Arjun warned, a single brow raised. “She’s my wife.”
Arjun’s serious remark confused Aditi. Weren’t these men friends? Rian must have been watching her because he leaned towards her just as she looked to him for help.
“He’s possessive because Vihaan once had a crush on Kaya,” Rian teased.
Aditi’s jaw dropped open. “What? Really?”
That’s when Aditi noticed that in contrast to his tone, Arjun’s eyes were twinkling with mischief.
“Yep,” Rian nodded. “Flirted with her and everything. Of course, he also is the reason why they found each other so I guess Arjun can't hate him too much.”
Vihaan puffed his chest up with pride, tugging on his own collar. “I was instrumental in bringing these two together.”
“Oh yeah?” Arjun drawled, taking a sip of his drink. “That’s why you planned to ask Kaya out on a date?”
Aditi couldn’t hold back her reaction. She turned towards Vihaan, asking for confirmation, watching him scratch the back ofhis neck in an endearingly embarrassed move. “I didn’t know Kaya was Arjun’s wife."
“That’s the only reason I didn’t knock you on your ass,” Arjun barked from across the table.
“Stop that!” Kaya swatted her husband on his arm. She turned to Vihaan, addressing him in a sorrowful tone.
“V, I’m so sorry you had to deal with my husband and his mood swings when I wasn’t around. If it is any consolation, it was you I wanted to work with. You were so sweet compared to this guy.” She threw a sassy look at her husband, squealing and giggling uncontrollably when Arjun threw his arm around her and crushed her to him, pretending to be annoyed. His smile told everyone how much he enjoyed being teased by his wife.
“Get a room, the two of you,” Rian grumbled, shaking his head.
“Tell us where. I’d rather not see your ugly mug anyway,” Arjun shot back.
“You’re just sore because I beat you at basketball this morning. You’re out of touch. Honeymooning for forty-five days straight will do that to you.”
Arjun sniffed the air loudly. “I smell the jealous stench of a single man, Shetty.”
“See what I have to deal with?” Vihaan sighed, turning to Aditi and then Kaya. “We have beautiful women with us and these two buttheads are talking about basketball. No wonder I don’t have a decent wingman.”
Aditi giggled, patting the back of his hand with mock sympathy. “It’s okay. You can talk to us, V. We’re listening.”
He held her hand, all desolation lost in moments.
“So, if I feel unwell, can I come to you? Like my heart, that's been extra active since you stepped into this restaurant.” He winked, shooting her a grin that she was certain had had women throwing themselves at him. She blinked, blinded momentary by his prettiness.
“I’m not that kind of doctor, V, but if you're hurting, I will hear you out.”
Something shifted in his expressions, his overly flirtatious grin gentling into a genuine smile.
“I like you, Doc. Where did you say you were from again?”
Aditi felt a heavy arm land across the back of her chair.
“She’s from none-of-your-goddamn-business. Stop calling her Doc!” Rian clenched his teeth, reaching over to break their hands apart.
Aditi frowned at him, wondering if he’d gone crazy. He thrust a glass of juice into the hand that Vihaan had held, rendering it occupied for the near future.
She looked down at the glass and back at him, confused.
“Drink,” he instructed, clearing his throat. “You’ll like it. It's pomegranate and orange.”
“What’s with you, today?” Vihaan snorted after a long pause.
“Yeah, Rian. What’s with you today?” Kaya asked in a low voice, leaning towards him. Their eyes met, and she slowly slid an inquiring gaze towards a distracted Aditi, before looking back at him.