Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie #1)(81)

“Okay,” she whispered in response.





Chapter Twenty-Seven

Prem




Prem: I feel like I need to give you a real proposal. You know, before we announce it at your sister’s engagement party that we’re together.

Kareena: Uh, sure. I mean, I don’t need one, but okay?

Prem: Really? For such a romantic, I thought you’d like the idea. You know. Rings and things.

Kareena: Well, if you’re interested in proposing, just for you and me, I’d prefer if it was a surprise. You know, because texting me that we’re announcing an engagement is not really something that sparks romance.

Prem: Ahh. Yeah, okay. That makes sense. Hey Rina, honey?

Prem: Are you happy?

Kareena: ??





Gregory LTD Financial: Hey Prem, do you have time for a quick meeting in NYC tomorrow? I saw your last few shows. Your producer sent me the tapes and a pretty compelling note. I’m reconsidering my investment into your community center.

Prem: That’s great! I’d be happy to meet you tomorrow. I have patients, but I’ll see what I can do to move my nonurgent appointments. I’ll keep you posted on my availability.

Gregory LTD Financial: Great. I let my assistant know you’ll be putting time on my calendar. Talk to you soon.





Prem walked into the chrome and glass building on Park Avenue and checked in at the wide security desk. After they took his picture, verified his ID, and called up to the top floor, he took the designated elevator up to floors twenty-five through thirty-five.

The thirty-fifth floor had sweeping views of the river, with the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

“Dr. Verma?” a woman said. Her perfectly styled black hair was coiled on top of her head. She held a tablet in one hand.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Deepak is waiting for you. Please follow me.”

Prem trailed behind the woman, keeping up with her clipped pace down wide corridors with large glass offices along the walls and spacious open desks. In the center of the floor were couches, espresso machines, and gathering tables.

The woman stopped in front of the corner office and motioned through the open door. “Right this way, please.”

Prem stepped inside, and the last thing he expected to see was a familiar face seated across from Deepak with her feet propped up on the adjoining seat, or his best friend in his office chair casually trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube, as if the woman’s presence was completely normal.

“Veera? What are you doing here?”

Veera’s feet dropped to the floor. “Oh. Uh, sorry. I thought I’d be out of here before you arrived.”

Deepak continued to fidget with the Rubik’s Cube at his desk. “We had a business lunch, Prem. Don’t make a bigger deal out of it than it is.”

Veera nodded like a bobblehead. “And please keep this to yourself so my friends also don’t make a bigger deal out of it.”

“Oh,” Prem said. “Are you asking me to keep a secret from Kareena?”

Veera nodded again. “If she finds out about this, she and Bobbi will jump to conclusions. And there is nothing to conclude. Obviously.”

“Right,” Deepak added.

“Oh . . . kay,” Prem said. “Deepak, you want to meet up with me later?”

“Nope, we’re finished,” Veera responded before Deepak. She grabbed her purse and looped it over her shoulder. “I have another meeting with a client one building over. Bharat, Inc. The tech company.”

“The Singh brothers are good people,” Deepak said and nodded at her. “Just tell them straight, and they’ll be receptive.”

“Thanks,” she said as she picked up her bag that she’d left next to her chair. “Prem, it’s good seeing you.”

“Uh, you too?”

She zipped past him, her billowing top brushing his arm as he passed. Before Veera could reach the door, Prem called her name.

“Yes?”

He thought about Kareena, about how quiet she’d been the night they’d talked, and then decided it was best to trust her to tell him how she felt directly. “Never mind. I’ll see you around.”

Veera shot him a wary look, then wiggled her fingers at Deepak before leaving the office and disappearing down the hallway.

“Trouble in paradise?” Deepak asked from his chair.

Prem zeroed in on his friend’s smug expression. “Oh no. No, you don’t. Don’t turn this on me. What about you? Lucy, you have some esplain’in to do. What was Veera doing here?”

Deepak put the Rubik’s Cube down on his sparsely decorated desk. “We started talking at that dinner you dragged Bunty and me to. She’s smart. Intuitive. More importantly, she can be an asset on this project I’m working on that requires a lot of number-crunching foresight skills. She’s also looking to diversify her clientele. It’s a perfect fit.”

That sounded reasonable, but it definitely wasn’t the whole story. Of course, Deepak never revealed his cards until he was ready, so harassing him for details wasn’t going to work in this situation.

“Now your turn,” Deepak said. “What’s up with Kareena?”

Prem thought about his girlfriend.