“It’s illegal in the state of California for children to have sex,” Trisha said, ruffling Vansh’s hair with complete disregard for how much he hated his hair being ruffled. It took a lot of effort to get it to look this good. “And we’re the Rajes. You’re not allowed to get frisky until you’re thirty.”

“How are you allowed to be thirty-two and call it ‘getting frisky’?” Vansh said, patting his hair back in place. “And for the record, I could teach you a thing or two about getting frisky.”

Trisha made a gagging face and then smiled. “Of course, baby.” She wrapped her arms around Vansh. “You could teach most of us a thing or two about most things. You’re our worldly baby brother, the light of our lives.”

“The apple of our eyes,” Nisha said, joining the hug.

“Our pride and joy,” Ashna said, completing the group hug.

“But we are going to have to punch you if you mention sex around us again,” Trisha finished up.

As his sisters squeezed him and let him go, the sting of being left out of their nefarious pool house antics, and everything else they always thought he was too young for, died down.

Naina was standing a little apart from the circle, her cool smile daring anyone to question how little she cared that no one had noticed her. Taking Naina’s glass from her, Vansh took a long sip.

The casual glass sharing, unfortunately, drew attention to her presence. His sisters looked at one another and pretended not to look at one another, and Naina took the glass back and drained the little Vansh had left in there in one gulp.

The undercurrents of shade could have sunk ships.

Yash picked up the bottle from the patio table and filled Naina’s glass up again.

“It’s great to have you back, brat,” Yash-the-politician said, trying to distract from the rising tide of awkwardness. “Great job again on your help with the campaign. I couldn’t have done this without you. Any of you.”

They all hooted and clapped.

“You better save the speech for the stage, Mr. Governor,” Nisha said, staring down at her phone. “Ma just texted the family group chat. She’s freaking out because she can’t find any of us.”

“Duty calls.” Yash dropped a kiss on India’s head. “You ready to go back out there?”

“You bet,” India said.

“To Yash.” Neel raised the bottle.

“To Yash,” everyone repeated, and took sips straight from the bottle before dispersing.

Naina and Vansh watched them leave and Naina downed what was left in her glass then eyed the empty bottle in Vansh’s hand. It was hard to know how much scotch they’d consumed, except from the nice buzz Vansh had swimming between his ears.

“I believe you asked if there was anything stronger than the wine available,” he said.