My So-Called Bollywood Life(17)

“Oh. Well, even though I don’t think a future in film is the best way to go, I wanted your last year to be special.”

She paused. “Okay. Okay, that’s…nice. I wish you’d talked to me, though. I—I’m okay with new things, but we have to edit the website, the ads, the promo stuff. We have to clear it with Princeton University, too. It could totally screw things up with securing the location—”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already brought it all up to Mr. Reece. This is going to be great. I promise you’ll love it. I’m doing this for you.”

“Raj, how many times do I have to remind you that you’re dating Jenny Dickens?”

    “Jenny has been amazing at a time when I needed someone like her. But you and I? Bracelet or not, we have history. Keep the bracelet, Winnie. The more I think about you, the more I know I made a mistake letting you go so easily.”

A knot of dread tightened in her stomach. “You think we can still work. After you cheated, and even though you think what I want in life is stupid. Raj…you still think I should go to Boston, don’t you?”

“You’ll realize soon enough,” he said. He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Like I said—I love you. After this summer, after seeing you this week and especially now, I know we’re still destined. I was giving you space. Maybe you still need some space to come to terms with your future.”

“If you really loved me, then you’d want me to get into NYU.”

“You know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think you are making excuses because after watching all those movies, you don’t know how to be practical,” he said, before pushing through the door.

She tried to follow him and give one last parting shot, but someone blocked her. Dev Khanna filled the entrance. He maneuvered her inside and locked the door behind him.

“What are you—”

“I’m saving you from the crowd of people in the hall,” he said as he leaned against the far wall. With a bored expression, he started scrolling through something on his phone.

    “Why’d you lock the door?”

“Um, so no one can come in?” he replied. “You can leave now, but chances are they’ll know you were in here with Shah.”

“Wait, did you…”

“Yup. My locker is right outside the bathroom door. I was trying to fix my broken lock and ended up hearing everything. By the way, don’t feel bad. Dude was a jerk trying to get you to think you were wrong about your future. Also, he’s a total moron for letting you go. You deserve way better.”

“Hey!” She could feel her cheeks redden. Hey? Really, that was all she could respond with?

“What? That was a compliment.” He looked up from his phone, and when their eyes met, the corner of Dev’s mouth curved slowly, as if he knew what she was thinking.

“You have no filter, you know that?” she said.

“And you have no common sense.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment, too?”

He laughed, and the sound was enough to make her toes curl.

“Someone’s gotta make sure you’re thinking straight when Raj obviously wants you back. You know you can’t go there, right?”

“Oh yeah? Why not?”

He grinned, combing his fingers through his hair. “He’s the kind of guy who sells puppies and kittens for a profit and makes you believe it’s for a good cause. Besides. You’ve said nice stuff about my work, so I’m happy to help you get over douchebag traitor.”

    “Uh, thanks? You’re good at what you do. The best film student in the school. Stuff is a little dark, but everyone knows you’re going places.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. So, did anyone else—”

“Don’t worry, no one else could hear you guys. Did you actually expect to still work together?”

Before she could answer, the door rattled. Winnie jumped back, and heard muffled voices followed by the sound of retreating footsteps.

“I don’t know,” she said after a moment. “I had no game plan.”

“Well, you better get one soon.” Dev came closer, reached past her shoulder, and flipped open the lock. His eyes stayed on hers as he slowly opened the door, brushing her arm. Winnie jerked in surprise at the contact, which only made him smile.

Dev stuck his head into the hallway, looked both ways, and stepped aside. “Coast is clear.”

Winnie was down the hall, heart pounding, before Dev caught up with her.

They made it to the exit door, and Dev stepped in front of her, pushing it open so she could walk through. In that one moment, she was framed in the doorway with him again.

Click.

    She stumbled down the front steps.

“Thanks for the help,” she called out as she headed to her car.

“Winnie!”

She turned. “Yeah?”

“If it came down to either you or him for the club, I’d vote for you,” he said. “Not because I hate your ex, but because you’re the best for the job. I’ll even step in as one of those Bollywood types and save you from the villainous Raj.”