“That takes care of it then, let me check my mother’s schedule and you’re coming over. You can meet Aji then. She’s a bit reclusive. She needs notice.” Aji would want to meet India’s brother, but to arrange a meeting with Aji, they’d have to make sure Esha was warned to stay away. None of which Vansh had time for today.

“I’d love that. And I look forward to meeting your cousin Esha. You said she lives here too?”

Vansh hadn’t mentioned that. The family was well trained in the art of not sharing information about Esha and not encouraging questions about her. India was the one who had probably told Sid that Esha lived with them. Vansh pushed away the discomfort that nudged at him at the mention of Esha by a stranger.

“I’ll text you about the day that works for dinner,” Vansh said.

“I look forward to it. Maybe I can get the grand tour then too? The house is beautiful. And the grounds . . . Yash tells me you have quite a collection of birds.”

Vansh opened the front door and spotless sunshine hit them along with the perfectly timed chirping of birds. “Yes! Did Yash tell you there’s a family of scrub jays that just had babies? Our gardener’s been keeping an eye out for them and he told me the other day they’d hatched.”

Sid looked truly excited for the first time since Vansh had met him. “Would you mind very much if I got a few shots?” He pulled his phone out of his cargo capris, a fashion choice that seemed perfectly natural on him.

Vansh smiled. “Really? Would you be interested in anything as pedestrian as a scrub jay?”

“There’s nothing pedestrian about a scrub jay. I take offense on behalf of all jays.” His excitement made him look suddenly young. “If there’s been hatchlings, I really don’t want to miss it. It’s the most life-affirming of things.”

“Of course.” Vansh didn’t want to be rude, but he didn’t have the time to take Sid on a tour.

“I know I’ve kept you too long. I can find the nest myself if that’s okay, and then see myself out when I’m done.” It was funny to see someone with such inherent gravitas being so enthusiastic about scrub jays.

“You sure you don’t mind?”

“Mind? I’m a man who loves my solitude. Don’t ever get my sisters started on how much.”

Vansh laughed, because he could imagine India and China’s views on the matter. “So, what you’re saying is that you’re actually thrilled I’m too busy to hang out with you?”

“Phew.” Sid made an exaggerated relieved expression. Vansh liked this guy more and more with every passing minute. “Seriously, just point me in the general direction of the nest and I’ll be on my way.”