Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie #1)(83)

Prem felt an odd pang in his chest. “I think she’s accepted that I don’t believe an emotion that I have literally referred to as an illusion is the foundation of a relationship.”

“Mm-hmm. Prem, you seem pretty lovesick to me.”

“No way,” Prem said. His pulse jumped at the thought. “Love isn’t what makes a relationship. That’s not what makes Kareena’s and my relationship . . . fit. We’re based on compatibility. Like an arranged marriage, except we found each other first and needed a bit of inspiration from her aunties.”

Deepak tossed the Rubik’s Cube one more time. “Not gonna lie, brother. That surprises me she’s cool with you never saying how you feel about her. I mean, you guys went viral because of how adamant she was about love marriages. But hey, as long as you’re sure.”

“I’m sure. I mean, of course I’m sure.” They hadn’t talked about it, but why did they have to? Kareena would’ve mentioned it, or she would’ve told him to take a hike otherwise.

Deepak’s feet hit the floor with a thud. He stood and straightened his coat. “Whatever, man. Don’t worry about it then. Fixating will make you nuts. Melancholy is the nurse of frenzy and all that jazz.”

Prem rubbed a hand over his stubble. “Maybe I’ll talk to her after Bindu’s party,” he said.

“Suit yourself. Now thanks for visiting, but I have to do some work around here.”

“I thought we were going to grab something to eat?”

Deepak turned to his computer. “I don’t want to spend the next hour talking about how you’re not in love with Kareena.”

“I’m not, damn it,” Prem said. He wasn’t. The idea that people thought he potentially could be seemed unfathomable “Love is not real. It’s just our need for attachment and building partnerships to create community.”

“And you aren’t your parents, Prem,” Deepak replied. “You could get away with that shit with Gori, but this is your life partner. Your . . . what is it again? Jeevansathi. Now go be grumpy pants somewhere else. I’m happy for you, but come talk to me when you’re happy, too.”





Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kareena




“Hey, Dave’s Restoration. This is Dave, how can I help you?” The voice had a sharp South Jersey accent to it that was somehow endearing and amusing.

“Dave, it’s Kareena Mann. I have the BMW 1988 E30 in Henna Red with tan seats?”

He let out a low whistle into the phone. “The E30 M3! Yeah, of course. Kareena. How can I help you?”

She looked out the kitchen window to the open shed doors. The front taillights were visible from where she stood. “I’ve restored as much as I could on my own. I think it’s time to bring her in.”

Dave let out a whoop and a holler. “Johnny! Johnny! I got the E30 M3 restoration on the phone! She’s ready for us!”

Kareena couldn’t help but smile. She found Dave’s shop by happenstance, and she kept going back to him for parts because he loved cars like they were his children.

She waited for him to come back on the phone before she said, “The car isn’t road ready. She’s going to need a tow to your shop. Can you arrange that for me?”

“Hell, I’ll tow that beaut myself,” Dave said. “Don’t you worry, doll. I’ll take care of her. I can be there tonight if you want.”

“Wow, um. Yeah, sure.” She was supposed to see Prem tonight. It was the only time they had together before Bindu’s engagement party next weekend, but she could cancel. This was important.

And she honestly could use the weekend to think.

Oblivious to her train of thought, Dave started rattling off information. “This is what I need from ya. Tell me when you’re ready.”

“Go for it.”

“Maintenance records?”

“I’ll email them to you.”

“List of restored, replaced, and original components to the vehicle?”

“I’ll send you the spreadsheet.”

“The list of products that you need to buy from us, along with what you want us to leave, and what you want us to take care of.”

“No problem,” Kareena said. “I’ll attach that to the same email. I still have your contact information, so as soon as we hang up, I’ll send it off. Also, the car is in the back shed, so if you have tracks you can put down so my grass doesn’t get completely wrecked, I’ll thank you forever.”

“Psh, you know I’ll come just as prepared as you are,” Dave drawled. A sound of an air compressor whirred in the background. “I’ll be there in an hour or so. Thanks for trusting us with this car, M3. We promise we’ll do your mama right by it.”

“Thanks, Dave,” she whispered in kind. “I appreciate it.”

“Hey, M3. One more thing.”

“Yes?”

Dave let out a deep breath. “Why now? You’ve been working on this thing forever.”

Kareena held out her left hand and looked at her bare ring finger. Would it be strange to feel a piece of jewelry there?

Getting engaged didn’t scare her. But getting engaged to someone who didn’t love her back? That was terrifying.