Ajay held out his arm for his father to hold.

“Ajay,” Mina called out. Her expression was solemn. “She’s more delicate than she wants people to think. Be kind.”

“This is business, Mina. Nothing more.” He led his father slowly across the ballroom to where Raj stood talking with Uncle Frankie and the second gentleman.

“Your mother is hovering,” his father said. “I was about to go mad.”

“I could tell. Now as repayment, I need you to be on your best behavior.”

“I am always on my best behavior, even when I am being used by my grown son to talk to a pretty girl.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Hem gave me a little bit of background, Ajay. I know your mind better than you think. Just remember that your mother is like a vulture when it comes to these things. She’s going to ask questions.”

“It’s nice to know that some things never change.”

They approached the trio near the entrance. It took all of Ajay’s concentration not to freeze when Raj’s eyes met his.

She looked even more stunning up close. Her makeup was muted, and in the center of her perfectly arched brows she wore a simple round rhinestone bindi that matched the trimmings on the purse-pouch that hung from her wrist. Her lips parted slightly as she scanned him head to toe before she turned back to Uncle Frankie.

“Apologies for interrupting,” Ajay said as he moved to stand next to Raj. “Uncle Frankie, I wanted to introduce my father to Ms. Hothi here.”

The old man’s bushy white eyebrows leaped in surprise. “You know each other? I didn’t think your circles crossed.”

“I didn’t think yours did, either, Uncle Frankie.”

“Ms. Hothi invested in an office complex in Long Island City with a few other parties that Peter here put together. We’ve kept in touch for, what is it, Raj, a year now?”

“Just about. Ajay, I’m so glad that you’ve brought this incredibly handsome man over.” She reached out and gripped his father’s hand in both of hers. “The legendary Deepak Singh needs no introduction. I’m so sorry I missed you at the last fundraiser event you were scheduled to attend. Your wife is a lucky woman to have such a dashing hero in a tux at her side.” She leaned over and pressed a kiss to each crinkled cheek.

Ajay thought she was laying it on a bit thick, and he was about to say so when he saw his father’s face go ruddy with pleasure.

Well, I’ll be damned, he thought. She’d charmed his father with a few cheesy words.

“Fundraiser?” Deepak asked. “Was it Gen One? I’m disappointed now more than ever that I missed the opportunity to meet such a lovely person such as yourself then. It’s a shame our paths haven’t crossed before?”

“The disappointment is mutual.”