“Naina Kohli, the spurned ex,” Naina announced grandly, and raised the glass of water the bartender handed her. “Spurned for the love of your sister. Yay, India!” She closed her eyes and made what could only be construed as a drunk person’s attempt at the om sound. “Everyone’s favorite yogi.” Then she slurped down the water, spilling a goodly amount down her cleavage, which was on display because her dupatta had slipped down to her lap. “Welcome to the Raje web of intrigue, Siddharthabytheway not really from Palo Alto.”

Sid smiled as though that spectacle hadn’t just taken place, and Vansh knew they were going to be friends.

He threw Sid an apologetic look as Naina closed her eyes, put her chin back on Vansh’s shoulder, and started making meditative sounds again.

“I’ve heard so much about you. That finalist picture in the Goodalls, it’s brilliant,” Vansh said.

The man blushed. “India showed you? Sisters! But thank you. Brahminys are such a part of mythology in that region, I’ve been chasing a shot like that for twenty years.” He studied Vansh in a way Vansh couldn’t quite understand.

“Well, amazing capture. I’d love to get together and talk about your work if you’re going to be in town for a while.”

This seemed to thrill Siddhartha. “Yes! Yes! Well, how about tomorrow? You’re staying at your parents’ place, I understand. I can come by.”

“Sure. That’s . . . Well, that’s perfect. How about tomorrow afternoon?”

“Great. Sorry, I’ve got to go make sure my agent isn’t off shaving his beard somewhere. Nice meeting you both. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then he stopped and shot over his shoulder, “At your parents’ house.”

Vansh watched him walk away. He had the air of a man fully contained within himself, with not a care for anyone else’s opinion. An island in a crowd. “Wow! He’s great, isn’t he?”

Naina lifted herself off Vansh’s shoulder and Vansh turned to her.

“I wonder what he wanted from you,” she said, and burped.

“What does that mean?” Vansh took the glass of champagne she’d picked up out of her hand.

“Give that back.” She snatched the drink back, making it slosh over both their hands. “That means, it took him three seconds to want to be your best friend and invite himself to your house.” She pinched Vansh’s cheek. “Our Baby Prince. Everyone falls instantly in love with him. So . . . so . . . lovebialable . . . So . . . loveveeablible.” She stuck out her tongue and squinted down at it, trying to figure out why it wasn’t doing what she wanted it to.

“He’s India’s brother. He’s family and I’ve been an admirer of his work for years.”