“Here I thought I’d have to work hard to convince grandfather to support you two,” Dheer said dryly. “I suppose that won’t be necessary. You’re doing great. Anyone with eyes can see you have chemistry in spades.”
Shauna glanced around and found both the older men watching her and Akash. Across the room, Amara and Vir were both grinning, looking highly entertained.
Dheer swept a hand out. “Shall we all head for dinner?”
Akash led her to the dining table, which was already set for seven people. Suveer sat at the head of the table with Dheer to his right, while Akash sat to his left, with Shauna and Vir next to her. Amara sat facing her, between Dheer and Shauna’s grandfather.
To her surprise, dinner unfolded easily, the conversations around her light and entertaining. Vir took center stage, launching into stories from his film shoots, outrageous mishaps, dramatic co-stars, and behind-the-scenes antics that had everyone laughing.
Shauna found herself smiling often. She slid a glance at Akash. He was different here, more relaxed and unguarded. He laughed freely, adding comments, trading easy banter with Vir and Dheer, completely at ease in a way she hadn’t seen often. Amara fit into their midst just as naturally, matching her brothers and Akash beat for beat, ribbing them mercilessly, her dry wit landing just as sharply. Shauna found herself watching her.
So far, Amara had been nothing but warm, witty, and completely at ease. And with Akash… there was no tension between them, nothing lingering, only the easy familiarity of an old friendship, exactly as he’d said. Perhaps, she had been jealous for no reason.
At the head of the table, Suveer seemed to soften too, occasionally adding a line to Vir’s stories, while her grandfather leaned in, trading banter with him that spoke of an old, familiar friendship.
Her heart eased. Everything around her felt natural. Normal. And she didn’t feel like she was on the hot seat like she had expected. It looked like convincing Suveer Malhotra to back them wouldn’t be so hard after all.
29
Dinner gave way to a quieter, more relaxed setting, and Akash watched everyone settle into the living room for dessert. So far, the evening had gone smoothly. Even Suveer had kept his sharper edges in check.
Shauna sat beside him, composed and at ease, listening, adding to the conversation when needed, laughing softly at Vir’s commentary. He’d been aware of her from the moment she’d walked in. He’d noticed her unease and the stiffness in her shoulders. But now, he was happy to see the change in her. The earlier tension was gone, replaced by something lighter… more comfortable. And he found himself unexpectedly glad to see how easily she fit in with his friends.
He linked his fingers with hers. She squeezed his hand, all the while continuing her conversation with his friends. His thumb moved absently over her wrist, tracing the delicate line of her pulse. He felt it quicken beneath his touch and a quiet satisfaction settled deep in his chest. Fuck, now he couldn’t wait to get her alone again. He leaned back against the couch, waiting for the evening to wind down so he could whisk her back to his apartment.
He exhaled. This need, this urge he had to be with her, to be near her, to touch her, surprised him with its sheer intensity. For years, he’d kept his distance from her. They’d been at odds for way too long, and he’d forgotten what it felt like to simply be at ease with her.
He’d missed this… sitting beside her in the company of friends, hearing her laugh, feeling her relax around him. And now he was enjoying every second of it. His thumb moved absently over her wrist, tracing slow, deliberate circles. Once, a long time ago, Shauna Sehgal had been the one thing he’d wanted more than anything else in the world. And now, by some twist of fate, she was his. And this time, he wasn’t letting her go. He was going to cherish her and thank God every day for giving her back to him. For allowing him a second chance with her. And he was going to do his best to make it work between them.
This… them… It felt right. Too right. He smiled absently as he watched her laugh again, his own lips curving in response.
He looked across and found Suveer’s gaze on him. The older man was watching him and Shauna, his gaze assessing. Sharp. Akash lifted his chin slightly. Suveer had always been tough, but never with Akash, not until he’d taken over the leadership of Sehgal Media.
Akash found it difficult to understand why the older man, despite knowing him for so many years, had chosen to make his life difficult when he could have easily supported him instead.
“Is everything okay?” Akash asked him.
“I haven’t really congratulated you on your engagement,” Suveer replied. “Congratulations to both of you.”
Akash felt some of the tension ease, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you, Uncle.”
Beside him, Shauna smiled as well.
“Your engagement was quite a surprise,” Suveer said.
Around them, the conversation tapered off one by one until the room fell into a quiet stillness as everyone’s attention shifted to Suveer.
“I believe you two have never really gotten along,” Suveer added, “and then suddenly, here you are, ready to get married. The two of you don’t make sense to me. You and Amara, however, would’ve been perfect together. She’s more suited to you. After all, you did date once. I’d hoped you might rekindle that. I do believe she was heartbroken when you broke up with her.”
Amara inhaled sharply. “That was years ago, grandfather, and I wasn’t?—”
“—and yet, you haven’t dated anyone since him,” Suveer cut in. “And if I’m right, neither has he.”
Amara’s jaw dropped. She exchanged a shocked glance with Akash.
Beside him, Shauna stiffened, clearly having seen their wordless exchange and interpreting it incorrectly, thanks to this old man. He felt her try to pull her hand free, but he tightened his hold, keeping her right where she was. Her eyes met his, and he saw the flicker of anger and hurt in her dark gaze.
“Amara and I barely dated for a few weeks,” Akash said, his jaw set. “It was years ago. We both knew even then that it was a mistake.”
