Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie #1)(42)

“Losers?” Kareena gasped. “You’re the ones who couldn’t figure it out on your own.”

“But no one else has to know that,” one of the other kids said.

“Rina?” Prem whispered so only she could hear.

“Yeah?”

“Run.”

Without a second’s hesitation, Rina shoved her tote at him to carry, and in her three-inch heels, sprinted toward the exit. They slid across slippery marble floors and ran through one of the largest museums in New York City side by side. They didn’t know how far behind their competition was, but Prem couldn’t lose time by looking back.

Two security officers told them to slow down before they reached the rooftop. Breathless, they pushed open the double doors, weaving through groups of people, families, and strollers before they spotted Ms. Frizzle at one of the lookout points in front of the city skyline. New York was painted in a wash of orange and dark blues with hints of violet tracing steel skyscrapers.

Prem grabbed Kareena’s hand, and they raced to their scavenger hunt moderator.

Kareena slapped her answer sheet in front of Ms. Frizzle. “It’s the janitor!”

Mrs. Frizzle looked down at her paper and then back at her. “You got all the clues? In an hour and thirty-nine minutes?”

Prem pressed a hand at the small of Kareena’s back. “Yes,” he said. “Are we first?”

Ms. Frizzle smiled, then scanned their answer sheet. “Yes, you are. Congratulations. You’ve won the scavenger hunt and found our murderer.”

“Yes!” Kareena’s victorious howl echoed above the sound of the city below and the rooftop patrons. She jumped in his arms, and he twirled her around twice. Her face glowed when she slid back to her feet. “We won the coupons!”

“We did,” he said, settling his hands on her waist. “See? We make a killer team, Rina.”

Her expression turned rueful as he put her down. “Okay, I give you that much. We do make a pretty good team. I’m not ready to give up finding what my parents had just yet, but if I do switch to Plan B, I’m . . . grateful that you’re it.”

“Excuse me, winning power team!” Ms. Frizzle called. She held up her phone and gestured for them to face her. “I’d love to take your picture for our social media accounts. You two make such a striking couple.”

“Oh, we’re not—”

“Thank you,” Prem said cheerfully.

He dropped her tote bag and pulled Kareena against him until she fit against the planes of his chest and thighs. The past melded with the present, and the familiar curves under his hands gave him a high that he’d been craving for weeks.

Prem’s gaze dropped to her lips. “I didn’t think we’d be in this position again, Rina, honey.”

Kareena’s eyes widened even as she gripped his shoulders. “Wh-what are you doing?” Her pink tongue darting out to lick her bottom lip.

“It’s customary for first dates to end with a kiss. We jumped the gun a little bit, but consider this a do-over.”

“This is not a date—”

Before she could say anything more, Prem leaned in under the Manhattan sunset and pressed his lips against hers. Time slowed, and the noise faded into the background.

Kareena’s lips parted under his, and the impact was electric. They fit together. Not just bodies, but lips, tongue, touch. His hands streaked up her back, and her fingers dove into his hair. Prem felt the current shoot through the roots of his hair as Kareena gripped him hard enough for him to swallow a surprised groan. He wanted another chance with her alone. No, he wanted all of her for as long as possible.

He pressed against her chest to breast, tongues tangled, while all thoughts of an audience completely slipped their minds.

Then she bit his lower lip, and in an instant, Prem knew that his midbrain and myocardium were hooked on the stimulus, and he was in deep, deep trouble.





Interstitial




Indians Abroad News

It appears as if a relationship has developed between Jersey City’s South Asians News Network host Dr. Prem Verma, or Dr. Dil, and Ms. Kareena Mann, the woman who interrupted his show a few weeks ago. What started as an explosive, hostile argument between two American-born desis has turned into something more. Dr. Verma reshared a post on Instagram from a local scavenger hunt company of the couple inappropriately touching in a public location. What appears to be even more scandalous is Dr. Verma’s lack of concern for the image. When asked on his last talk show about the topic, he responded to an audience question with the following:



Kareena and I have more in common than we realized. What started off with a public argument allowed us to connect and meet on common ground. Getting to know her more personally has been a special experience. But I’m not here today to talk about Rina and myself. Let’s go back to discussing recovery stages after heart surgery.



We’ll stay tuned for more details on the viral couple’s relationship.





Chapter Thirteen

Kareena




Prem: You’ve been avoiding me.

Kareena: I’ve been busy. My sister is planning an engagement party.

Prem: And? The search for Mr. Right in all those dating profiles?