Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie #1)(52)

She opened her text chat with her friends. “What is the address of where we are going? And I need your license so I can take a picture of it.”

Rahul lifted his hip to take out his back pocket wallet. “Absolutely.” She took a picture of the license and sent all the info to Bobbi and Veera.

That’s when she remembered that Bobbi was at an event so she wouldn’t have her phone on her, and Veera was out with her twin.

After running through her contacts, she forwarded the text to Bindu, and after waiting for a thumbs-up emoji, she finished her wine and put her empty glass on the table. “I’m ready to go play some dungeon masters! This is not like the Fifty Shades dungeon, is it?”

Rahul balked. “Please don’t say that in front of my friends.” He pulled out a credit card and paid the bill that was discreetly left at the edge of their table. “First, it’s Dungeons and Dragons, and the person who is the storyteller is the dungeon master. And if you’re going to be a witch, you have to pick your powers, like fire, ice, or both. And you have to pick your personality. For example, are you lawful, neutral, and chaotic? I’m sorry, there is a lot to learn.”

Kareena scooted out of the booth. “I’m a pretty quick study.”

Rahul grabbed his things and led her out of the restaurant. For the first time since she started dating, she was having a good time, in a comfortable, friendly kind of way. This wasn’t exactly the same as running through a museum or receiving corner-of-the-mouth kisses after food-eating competitions or having mind-blowing orgasms on the hood of her car. But it was a start.

Because as wonderful as her connection with Prem had been, he still couldn’t give her what she wanted. She’d have to accept second best.





Chapter Sixteen

Prem




Bindu: Hi! My sister is at a strange man’s house. She just met him tonight. I thought you should know.

Prem: WHAT??

Bindu: Here is what she texted me.





Prem: Kareena, where are you?

Prem: I just tried calling and you didn’t pick up. What the hell, Kareena?

Prem: Is everything okay??

Prem: That’s it, I’m coming to get you.





Prem came to a screeching stop in front of a town house on a hilly street in Hoboken. He didn’t even take a second to appreciate the fact that he was able to find parking. His only concern was Kareena. In seconds, he’d jumped out of his car and practically run up the walkway. He had his phone ready in case he had to call 911, since he had no idea what he was getting into. His nerves were frayed the entire drive over, even as he called Kareena a dozen more times.

With a deep breath, he pounded on the door, and then rang the doorbell three times.

A few short barks greeted him.

These were probably attack dogs. Dogs that were trained to kill intruders. Dogs that were going to tear him apart. He braced his feet. He’d worked out that morning and was a little sore, but he’d take on some dogs to bust Kareena out of there if he had to.

A woman’s voice followed. “Luke, stop! Luke, down.”

The front porch lights came on, and he had to squint under the glow. A Korean woman with bright blue hair opened the door a crack.

“Can I help you?”

That was unexpected.

“Hi, I’m looking for Kareena Mann? I’m her friend. Her ride. Her . . . I’m here to take her.”

She scanned his scrubs, squinting at the ID tag still attached to his breast pocket. “You’re a doctor?”

“Yes.”

“Which hospital?”

“Excuse me?”

“Where do you practice?” she asked.

“I’m at a private practice. I’m sorry, I’m just looking for my friend.”

The woman opened the door wider, and the dog that had been barking bolted out. A Pomeranian the width of a beach ball wobbled out and circled Prem’s feet. It barked three more times in quick succession.

Okay, maybe not an attack dog.

“Luke, in the house. Your father is going to be very upset with you if you run away again. Come on, let’s go!”

Prem waited for the dog to go back in. Damn, the tiny little furball had sounded just like a scary, bloodthirsty wolf with sharp teeth. It had probably been the adrenaline pumping through his bloodstream that made him think the sound came from a larger animal. Totally normal reaction.

“I should go,” Prem said. “I’m just looking for my friend. Thank you for your time.”

“Come on in,” she said. “Kareena’s here.”

“Uh, excuse me?”

The woman motioned for him to step inside the tiny tiled foyer. “Kareena is here. She came with one of my husband’s friends, Rahul. They’re all playing downstairs. What private practice are you with?”

“Jersey City Cardiology Center.”

The woman held her hand out. “Dr. Su-jin Kim. I’m with Hoboken Dermatology.”

“Oh. Uh, nice to meet you.” He took the woman’s hand and shook. Why the hell was Kareena here?

“Come on. Follow me. I’m sorry if you were worried, but Kareena’s fine. They should be wrapping up soon.”

Prem followed the woman down a hallway, through a basement door, and down a narrow flight of stairs toward loud cheers and conversation, most of it male.