“JJ introduced Vera to me when he found out I was going to put out an ad for a roommate,” Nina answered. “Adi, meet my cousin who thinks he has to solve all my problems. Adi works with me at Sanjog General. We’re in the same OB/GYN program.”
“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere,” Aditi muttered, peering so hard at Jay that he began to pinken. He ran an embarrassed hand through his thick, black mane, shrugging as he admitted, “I’m on TV a lot.”
“Oh, that’s right! You hosted that travel show on Ethos! I loved the episode you did on Sri Lanka. My family booked a holiday there right after.”
The realisation that Aditi had been admiring his work rather than just his looks brought a massive smile to his face. He threw an arm around Vera’s shoulders, nodding towards her with pride. “Thanks. Worked on that with Veeray here behind the scenes.”
“Impressive,” Aditi complimented them both, her genuine sweetness winning them over immediately.
“Alright, I’ll leave you ladies alone. I’ll see you at work,” Jay added, smacking Vera on her head just to be a brat. He strolled backwards with a grin, knowing she wouldn’t dare hit him back with his cousin watching them. Vera’s eyes narrowed, promising retribution at thesoonest possible opportunity. “Stay out of trouble! Especially the brooding employer kind,” he teased, heading out the door before her patience broke.
With a fond smile at the one friend she believed she would one day punch in the face, she turned to the two ladies. Both hands shoved in the pocket of her worn shorts, she rocked on the balls of her feet as the silence stretched. She’d never been good with small talk, and it had been a hell of a long time since she’d tried to make friends with anyone.
“Are you ok?” she blurted out, cringing inwardly when she realised it wasn’t the most polite way to start a conversation. “Sorry, I didn’t. . .”
“It’s alright,” Aditi waved off her apology, her smile bright. “Yes, I’m okay. Thank you for being so kind to me at the club.”
A wry sort of laugh escaped Vera.
“What?” Aditi asked immediately.
Vera shrugged. “I’m not usually a kind person, some would say.”
“Sounds like you’d prefer it if people thought you weren’t nice,” Aditi guessed. “How do you know Vihaan?”
“I work in his company. I’m a TV producer at Ethos.”
Aditi’s eyes narrowed, making Vera feel very much like this woman could see into her soul if she wished. “Ok. I get it,” Aditi announced. “You don’t know me well enough yet to trust me with the truth.”
“I’m not lying. I really am a producer.”
“Not that. There’s something more with you and him, but it’s too soon to tell me. You’ve just met me, I understand. But let’s give this a few weeks and we can circle back to it.”
The laugh that sputtered out of Vera was as much a surprise to her as her amusement. “A few weeks?”
“You didn’t think this is the last time we’ll be meeting each other, did you? We’re friends now.”
“Already?” Vera asked, surprised when Aditi groaned.
“There has to be something in Mumbai’s air. Whoever I meet lately is both gorgeous and allergic to friendship.”
“Who?” Nina questioned, confused. “Ooh, Rian! Did you move the situationship train at all?”
Aditi pursed her lips.
“We slept together last night.”
“What?!” Nina jumped in place, her jaw dropping open.
“No, I meansleepsleep! Like, actually, just sleeping. With our eyes closed. And clothes on. We were watching a movie and fell asleep on the couch. That’s it.”
From the red kissing the tips of Aditi’s ears and the over-explaining babble, Vera was inclined to believe that there was more toitthan Aditi was saying.
“And I’m going on a date with someone else tonight,” Aditi triumphantly announced, as if that put an end to any doubts. Vera watched as Nina reacted negatively to this news, making it clear that she was rooting for this Rian, whoever he was.
“Is that the guy who made you cry?” Vera asked, her curiosity piqued at the word ‘situationship’.
The two women turned to look at her like they’d just now remembered that their discussion had an audience as well.