“I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to do a real estate analysis and determine which neighborhood is the best investment.” Raj’s plan was to find a location closer to her office, wherever that office would be. As for her proximity to Ajay . . . well, she wasn’t going to deny the fact that he was a consideration, too.

Ajay pulled her firmly between his knees. “Raj?”

“Yes?”

“Would you consider moving into the penthouse with me?”

Yes, she wanted to say. Yes to everything. But she hadn’t gotten to where she was in life by acting impulsively. No matter what she was feeling for him, she had to still be careful.

If she was careful with her heart, then she was being careful of her life and those she loved.

“I don’t think that’s the best idea under the current circumstances. Our business agreement, and your brother—”

“My brother is going to have to deal with our relationship.”

She ran her thumb over the days-old faded bruise at the corner of his mouth and cupped his face.

“How about we wait for the acquisition to end,” she said. “By then my divorce will be over, and hopefully, I’ll have a start date at the foundation. If that’s where I want to be. I honestly haven’t decided yet. Let’s keep the pretense of discretion going for a little bit longer.”

“Okay, but the offer is open. I want more firsts with you, Raj.”

“Me, too.”

“Garam, garam chole bature,” Kaka called out from the kitchen. “Fresh and hot!” He carried dishes heaped with food to the table, along with utensils and bowls.

“Kaka, I’ve never seen you this happy.”

Kaka’s smile was bright and toothy. “That’s because you’re finally seeing a nice Punjabi boy who can take care of you. Enough with these gora men. Now eat. Ajay, you need food.” He left the room with a bounce in his step.

“I can’t believe Kaka just said that,” Raj said. She sat down in front of one of the plates.

“I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m glad I have his approval. He’s the closest thing to a father figure you have here.”

“That he is.” She propped her chin on a fist. “You know, I have to wonder—how is it that you aren’t married and settled yet?”

His slow, boyish grin had butterflies fluttering in her stomach. “Because I’ve been waiting for you?”

“I won’t even bless you with a response to that.”

He shoved chole and yeasted puffed bread into his mouth. Raj raised a brow, then took a sip of her chai as she waited.

“You’re not going to drop this,” he said after swallowing.

“No way, Singh.”