Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie #1)(37)

“Hey, I’m planning your sister’s wedding and engagement party at a discount,” Bobbi replied. “I have no time to help. Be nice to me.”

“Ugh, don’t talk to me about this stupid engagement party.” A Labor Day weekend event that was the definitive end to her chance of finding her perfect man. Her jeevansathi. And once her time was finished, her father was going to sell the house. He’d already brought an agent to come out and assess the property, and Bindu had sent out invites to two hundred people.

“How are things at home?” Bobbi asked, as if reading Kareena’s mind.

“Bindu comes home every day with her massive binder, and another reason why she and Loken are fighting about the wedding, and the guest list,” Kareena said. “Do you think they’d be willing to push the engagement party back?”

“I doubt that,” Bindu said, picking her nails. “What does Prem think about it?”

There was something about the way Bobbi said it that had Kareena twisting in her seat. “Oh no,” Kareena said while she tugged Bobbi’s purple ponytail. “Is this the real reason why you don’t want to help? Because you think Prem is a-a match? You can get out of your auntie-brain and back into your Bobbi brain.”

Bobbi swirled her champagne flute. “All I’m saying is that a woman is a fool if she can’t resist a man. Your lack of resistance is showing, Kareena Mann. The question is, are you willing to be the fool?”

Kareena wanted to argue, wanted to prove to Bobbi that nothing but a cordial platonic friendship was forming between them. But that text message. And that kiss.

Even her Taylor Swift nighttime playlist couldn’t put her to sleep. Her usual insomnia was now infinitely worse.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Bobbi.”

“And I think you’re treading in dangerous territory, friend.”

The sound of a door chime rang across the small Indian bridal boutique, and Kareena turned to see Loken enter.

She’d only met him a handful of times, but he’d always been quiet, sweet, and attentive to Bindu. He had a chiseled jaw that made him a stone-cut, marble-faced beauty. His black hair was gelled away from his face, and he wore a three-piece suit every day, just like Kareena preferred a sweater vest every day.

He carried two small bouquets of summer flowers in his hands.

“Hey, it’s the groom!” Bobbi cheered. She held up her champagne flute. “Don’t Italian Gujaratis have a thing where you’re not supposed to see the wedding dress before the big day?”

Loken approached the couch, his happy smile contagious. “I wanted to be surprised, but you know Bindu. She makes her own traditions.” His thick Italian accent had always charmed Kareena. Who would’ve thought there were desis in Verona?

“Kareena, you look beautiful today.”

He leaned down to give her a kiss on either cheek, then turned to do the same to Bobbi. “Where is my bride to be?”

“She’s changing into another dress,” Kareena said. “She only comes out if she likes it, so it may take some time. You got her two bouquets?”

Loken shook his head. “One of these is for the gorgeous sister of my bride.” He presented her with the bouquet like he was gifting her a diamond set. “Thank you for taking such good care of Bindu all these years.”

Kareena could feel herself tearing up as she accepted the flowers. They were so pretty, and sweet. “Bindu took care of herself,” she said quietly. “I’m so happy for you two.”

Loken beamed at her. “Now we must have you just as happy, no?”

Bobbi muttered softly, “Oh, boy.”

“I’m trying, Loken. Do you have any friends who want to get engaged by your sagai?”

“My darling future sister-in-law,” he said, rocking back on his heels. “If that were the case, I doubt they would be single, no?”

“Now you sound like Prem,” she mused. What was it with these dudes who thought her true love didn’t exist?

“What do you think? Loken! You’re here!”

Kareena twisted in her seat and promptly dropped her bouquet in her lap. “Oh, Bindu.”

Her sister looked stunning. She wore a white fitted mermaid-style gown that had a loose draping across the front and a waterfall of sheer fabric over one shoulder.

“It’s a concept sari!” Bindu said, holding her arms out, and doing a slow spin. “A combination of a gown and a sari in one. I’m kind of obsessed. What do you think?”

Her face was glowing, Kareena thought. It looked like pure happiness. “I think you look incredible.”

“Really? Loken? What about you?”

Kareena looked over at her sister’s groom, and he also had tears in his eyes. “I think,” he said, then cleared his throat. “I am the luckiest man alive.”

Bindu clapped her hands, and bounced, her long waves flowing over her shoulder. The attendant reached out and adjusted her train. “There is an opportunity for custom embroidery at the hem of your shoulder draping,” she said.

“Loken, I know you liked the idea of me wearing white and red like your mom and aunts did when they got married, but I hope this is a decent compromise.”

“I think it’s lovely,” he said.