Ajay’s mother looked regal in a pale cream and gold salwar kameez with a thick gold choker and matching gold earrings. She pointed at Ajay and then at his father. “Come sit next to your papa. He’s in a sour mood.”

Deepak Singh, the genius businessman who’d created some of the most groundbreaking location technology in the world, sat back in his chair with his arms crossed over his broad tuxedo-clad chest. “I don’t understand why I can’t go sit with Frankie. Tusi mainu mara rahe ho. You’re killing me, woman.”

“Deepak, if you go sit with him you’ll want to drink whiskey and smoke cigars. The doctor was very clear about your restrictions. Stop whining, otherwise I really will kill you.”

“Dad, we’ll have your whiskey for you,” Ajay said with a grin. He sat next to the man who’d taught him how to drink. “When is dinner? Do we get to eat right away or is Uncle Frankie going to have, like, ten relatives toast the bride and groom first? Those speeches are so long.”

Ajay’s mom leaned across his father and gripped his hand. Her wrists full of bangles rang as they hit the tabletop. “You can’t go until you meet Shilpa Aunty’s niece.”

“Here we go again,” Zail mumbled next to him.

A buzzing interrupted their flow of conversation, and Ajay pulled out his cell phone from his breast pocket. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the rest of his family was checking their various devices, as well.

“That’s me,” Mina said. She reached into a tiny pouch that matched the mirror work on her salwar kameez to retrieve her phone. “Oh. Raj is here.”

Even as she said the words, Ajay spotted the woman he’d been waiting to see. Anticipation unfurled in his gut as he took her in. She wasn’t as tall as some of the other Punjabi women in attendance, but like always, her heels gave her formidable stature. Her gown flowed around her as she paused at the entrance where Uncle Frankie was still greeting the last of the arrivals. Ajay watched as she folded her hands together as if to say namaste, and then handed over an envelope.

Ajay didn’t realize he was standing until Zail said his name in a sharp tone.

“Don’t even think about bringing her here to sit with us.”

“No, I—” An older man went over to talk to Frankie and Raj.

If he was going to speak with her, he needed to look inconspicuous. The old man next to him would have to do as his excuse. “Papa, I want to introduce you to someone. Can you take a walk with me?”

Deepak Singh’s face brightened, and without asking Ajay’s mother what she would prefer, he was out of his chair like a shot. “Challo, puttar. Let’s go.”