But it had been so easy to make Nikhil part of her life again, and that was a huge surprise to her. She wondered what would have happened if they’d been mature enough to talk to each other after prom. They could have had ten years of friendship. Or maybe more than friendship. But the past didn’t matter. She was glad to have her friend back now.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Nikhil
After he finished rehearsals, Nikhil called his father from his car. It had been a brutal day, and every muscle in his body was sore. He was supposed to have dinner with his parents tonight, but he just wanted to go back to Marley’s house. He needed to know that she was okay. Maybe he should pick up some takeout first.
“But I made so much daal makhani!” his dad protested.
Dad’s daal makhani sounded amazing right now. Would it be strange for him to send a driver to his parents’ to get some home-cooked food?
“Next time. I’m wiped. I’m working on learning my stunts now, and they’re pushing me extra hard.”
“Nikhil, you said this wouldn’t be a dangerous—”
“I’ll have a stunt double for anything remotely dangerous, but I’ll be doing the less-risky stuff myself. The coordinator is teaching me to do it safely.”
“I wish you would have picked an acting movie instead of an action movie. Dev Patel got to play David Copperfield! You should be like that.Slumdog Millionairewas so good!”
Nikhil sighed as he started his car. Damn that Dev Patel for setting an unattainable standard that every parent of every desi actor reminded their children of weekly.
“I’ll tell my agent to call Danny Boyle.”
“Okay. And maybe when you come next time, you can bring your girlfriend, too! You said she was from Nairobi. Does she know—”
“Hermotheris from Kenya. I don’t know where. But I told you she’s not my girlfriend. Just a friend.”
“My friend Salim is from Kenya. His son’s wedding was so expensive! They even imported thebridefrom India. Did I tell you my friend Ashwin’s son started online dating? He’s a dentist, so it’s no wonder he needed an arranged marriage. He would ask the girls if they were single, and they couldn’t respond because their mouths were open.”
Nikhil shook his head. He loved his father and always found it amazing that one small man could encompass just about every Indian stereotype—both male and female. But maybe Dad had to be all the things because Mom couldn’t be anything.
“How’s Mom?” he asked.
“Oh, she’s fine. Resting. Nalini tired her out… They were watching that cooking show with the Bangladeshi woman. But Nalini talked through the whole thing, so your mother had to watch it a second time. Nalini has been so hyper lately! She needs to let your mother rest. Can you talk to her, Nikhil?”
“Yeah, of course.” He frowned. He knew his sister had been spending more time with his mother since Nikhil wasn’t there.
“I talked to your brother today. Did he tell you he’s taking college courses online? He’s thinking of doing an MBA! Speaking of online dating, he wants to try that when he gets home. I think settling down is exactly what he needs to get back on track, but I don’t know about this online shaadi idea.Maybe you can help him meet girls? He’s going to be able to come home for visits soon. Is your friend—”
Nikhilneededto change the subject. Now. “Dad, youknowI don’t want to talk about Arjun.” Not if he could help it, at least. Thank goodness he was staying at Marley’s now—the last thing he’d want was to see his brother if he came home for the weekend.
“Your mother will be sorry you won’t be here for dinner… She loves having dinner with you kids. You’ll come on the weekend? I can save some daal.”
Nikhil sighed. There was almost zero probability that Mom would even come downstairs, let alone sit at the dining table if he came home for dinner.
“I may have to be in LA. Don’t worry about the daal. I’ll make some myself.”
“Good idea. Yours is better than mine anyway.”
“I need to get going. Love you, Dad.”
“Oh wait, Nalini is here… She says you’re trendy.” Dad paused, and Nikhil could hear his sister in the background but couldn’t make out what she was saying. “Nalini, what are you doing licking your lips like that? What does that mean? Nikhil, I don’t understand this one. Boys are so much simpler than this girl.” The call disconnected. Nikhil assumed his father hung up by mistake.
Nikhil sighed. Maybe heshouldgo home for dinner. He’d been glad the movie was filming in Canada because he’d thought being closer to them meant he could ensure his parents didn’t get sucked into his brother’s bullshit again, but he wasn’t sure that plan was working. It seemed his father hadn’t heard anything about Arjun’s idea of renting out the basement, at least. But now that Nikhil had temporarily movedout, maybe his parents would be more susceptible to their firstborn’s manipulation.
The very thought of introducing Marley to Arjun, though…ugh.
Before leaving the parking lot, Nikhil checked, and yes, the lip-licking video was still trending. Nikhil tossed his phone on the passenger seat. He wanted to escape all this at Marley’s cozy little house.
