Page 29 of Knot So Romantic

I realize with a pang that he hasn’t flirted with me, either.

As I notice the woman still smiling and laughing at something Neel said, jealousy flares within me unexpectedly. I’m suddenly very curious if Neel could be interested in me as more than just a friend.

“I’m fine, Anjali. But I’ve had enough dancing for tonight,” Neel says to her.

“Really?” she says, leaning closer.

I don’t like how this woman is getting so close to Neel.

Khushi’s voice echoes in my head, “So you like Neel?”

“I get this tingly feeling when I’m around him, and I don’t know what to make of it.”

I imagine Kiara smacking her head. “Of course you do!”

Neel interrupts my thoughts. “Yes, please go ahead and enjoy yourself,” he tells the woman.

The woman hesitates, then finally leaves. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

By then, Grandma and her friends are back. They look a bit winded, but happy.

“I’m thirsty,” one of them says.

“I’m tired already,” the other one says. “Can’t believe I used to dance for hours when I was younger.”

The others, including my grandmother, laugh and tease her.

“Can I get you ladies something to drink?” Neel asks, smiling warmly.

“Sure, dear!” one of them offers him a beaming smile.

After Neel leaves to get their drinks, she turns to me. “He’s such a gentleman!”

“He seems really nice!” the other says.

“My granddaughter hangs around the kind of people who are kind, nice, and caring for old women like us,” Grandma says. “Who is he? You didn’t introduce him properly.”

“Thank you, Grandma,” I giggle. “He’s a friend.”

“Oh, a friend!”

They continue to joke and tease me when Neel returns with everyone’s drinks and passes them around.

As they’re sipping their drinks, Grandma turns to me, “I heard that your building may be in trouble, just like mine was a few years ago. The new builders want to demolish all the old buildings and convert them into shopping malls and hospitals. But I refused to sell it to them,” she says proudly. Then, a look of concern passes over her eyes. “But what are you going to do? Your boutique is leased, isn’t it?”

“I don’t intend to give it up so easily!” I say. “We can’t let these developers do as they please.”

A dark look crosses Neel’s face. “You’re right!”

I tell them about the fashion show that I’ve planned. “It may be a long shot, but at least we know the owner, Venkat, for many years now. I think he’d sell it to me if we’re able to raise the funds,” I add.

“God bless him,” Grandma says.

“Well, I think we could collaborate on this,” Neel says suddenly.

All eyes turn to Neel.

“What do you mean?” I ask.