“We’ve known each other our whole lives,” Vansh said. Tone placating, because Naina looked like she was about to tell the Jiggster here exactly how much she didn’t think any of this was his business.

“She was almost your sister-in-law,” the man said, gossipy excitement making his beady eyes beadier.

“That would be true if Yash and I had ever had any intention of marrying.” Naina grabbed a mimosa from a passing waiter and took a sip.

This fact-based rebuttal seemed to bore Mehta. He turned to Vansh. “You have a girlfriend, Vansh?”

Okay, so the man jumped topics like he was on a trampoline.

“Not currently.”

“So where to next?”

“Haven’t decided. I’m thinking about staying here for a while. Reconnecting with my roots and all that.”

Mehta brightened. “Family is important. Are you and your brother close?”

Okay. “As close as two brothers can be.”

This declaration seemed to make Jiggs happier than it should have made anyone who wasn’t Vansh’s brother. He bounced on his velvet Manolo Blahnik loafers.

“Will you be working with him?” So, they were in a full-fledged inquisition then.

“We’re always involved in each other’s work.”

Mehta’s face lit up like the gold embroidery on his thousand-dollar shoes. “Anything specific?”

“I’ve been traveling the globe looking to be useful,” Vansh said, “but our country has quite a few of its own problems, does it not?”

“This is what I told Naina when I convinced her to move back here. But she insists on putting her focus on foreigners.” This from a man who had famously scraped his way out of poverty on the streets of Mumbai before arriving in Silicon Valley with the proverbial six dollars in his pocket.

“Your money is very convincing, Jiggy,” Naina said indifferently. But her eyes were alert. Obviously, this wasn’t the gossip session Jiggy was selling it as.

“All I want is for it to be put to good use.”

“Oh, money can always be put to good use. That’s the general point of money,” Vansh said.

Jiggy’s bark of laughter was so loud that everyone within a ten-foot radius started. One of the aunties even pressed a hand to her chest.

Jignesh thumped Vansh’s shoulder, all delighted bonhomie. “If you have any ideas—pet causes, if you will”—he gave a knowing wink that made as much sense as his general behavior—“I’d love to hear them. Naina’s endowment is large enough that she could easily share it with another worthy cause.”

Naina, who had been making the effort to look bored, snapped to attention, her focus suddenly fully trained on the two of them. “I didn’t realize my endowment was available for the taking.”