“I should be back next week. So, tell me, how was the Maldives?”
An image of brandy-colored eyes and a naughty smile filled her mind. She brushed it away instantly. No. She wasn’t thinking about him.
“It was lovely,” Shauna replied. “I wish you’d been there.”
“I’m sad we missed it,” Rhea said. “Anyway, I just wanted to wish you the best for today. Excited?”
“A little nervous,” Shauna admitted. “I hope Grandfather understands.”
“He will,” Rhea said confidently. “He’ll be thrilled to give you what you’re asking for, so stop worrying. This is your destiny, Shauna. We all know it.”
Shauna couldn’t help smiling back.
Unlike her, her twin had never taken to the corporate hustle. Rhea lived for art. She owned QubeArt, an elegant gallery in Mumbai, with her husband, Nirvaan Kapur, where she curated a striking collection of paintings and sculptures. She had an incredible instinct when it came to choosing pieces, and Shauna was endlessly proud of her for chasing the life she’d always dreamed of.
“I tried getting Jiya on the call too,” Rhea went on, “but she didn’t pick up.”
Shauna’s heart warmed. Her twin and their best friend Jiya, their sister-in-law Raashi’s younger sister, were her unshakable support system. They knew about today’s meeting and were rooting for her.
“That’s okay. She’s probably asleep. It’s early in Paris,” Shauna said fondly. “It’s been a year, and I still can’t believe she married Rohan.”
Rhea chuckled. “Did you see their Eiffel Tower kiss selfies? I cannot believe she convinced him to do that and then posted them!”
“What? I haven’t seen them.” Shauna laughed. “Wow, Rohan has changed. I do like him now. He’s so much more pleasant, and he looks so happy.”
“Why are you both always gossiping about my friends?” a voice cut in.
An arm slid around Rhea’s shoulders and Nirvaan Kapur appeared on the screen behind her. He leaned down to kiss his wife’s temple. Nirvaan was the powerhouse behind QubeCore and QubeArt. His game, StreetZoneX, had been voted the most-played game in the country three years in a row. He was extremely accomplished, and the best part was that he was head over heels in love with her twin.
Nirvaan shifted his black-rimmed spectacles up his nose. “Don’t you two have anything better to talk about? It’s either Rohan or Akash with you two.”
Of course, Nirvaan would bringhimup. He was close to both Rohan and Akash. Her heart gave an involuntary flip at the thought ofhim. Memories of what she had almost allowed to happen again with him threatened to overwhelm her. She pushed them away.
“Watching Rohan turn into a mushball is peak entertainment,” Shauna said lightly, pretending he hadn’t mentioned Akash at all.
“I agree,” Rhea concurred. “Rohan was a grouch before he fell for Jiya.”
“Rohan was never a grouch,” Nirvaan argued. “He just wasn’t a people person. Still isn’t.”
“Much like you,” Shauna teased.
He shot her a flat look that instantly softened the moment his eyes landed on Rhea. He whispered something into her ear, making Rhea giggle, her cheeks turning pink.
“Okay,” Nirvaan sighed. “I have ten minutes before I leave for work, and my son has finally given my wife a moment to breathe and is busy charming his grandmother. So unless you want to witness me doing indecent things to your twin, end the call, Shauna.”
Shauna groaned. “Ugh. You’re disgusting. Bye.”
“Call me right after you talk to Grandfather,” Rhea added quickly.
“I will,” Shauna promised, ending the call with a bright smile.
Excitement fluttered through her as she stood before the elevator bank, watching the numbers climb from the basement level. This was it. Soon, she’d have what she’d always dreamed of.
The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. She stepped forward, then stopped short. A man stood inside with his back to her, his broad shoulders outlined by the overhead light. He turned, and her heart stuttered before it kicked into a frantic rhythm.
Akash.
He didn’t even spare her a glance. He tapped away on his phone while she stood at the threshold, her pulse misbehaving. Images from that night in Maldives flashed through her mind, and this time she was helpless against their onslaught. Her hands on his skin. His mouth on hers. The way she had pressed herself against him. She shuddered to think what would have happened had they not been interrupted.
