“Rafael, I know it’s a Sunday, but I need you to get my head of communications on the line for that meeting in an hour. Tell them to prep our standard release for an acquisition. We’re about to purchase a company.”

“Yes, sir. Is that all?”

Ajay pulled the phone away from his ear. “Raj, do you want our communications team to draft the release for your office, too?”

The withering look she shot him had Ajay grinning before he told Rafael he was good.

“I’m trying to help,” he said when he hung up.

“Stay in your lane, Singh. The company isn’t yours yet. You still haven’t given me a dollar amount.”

“Then I guess we better get to work finishing the financial assessment if we’re going to print tomorrow with the news.”

Raj whipped out her own phone and stood. “Hey, Tracey? I need you to email me a few files from Legal. Oh, and get Harnette on my calendar for an hour from now, please.”

She excused herself as she left the living room. Ajay’s mother had reentered and watched as Raj passed her, phone in hand.

“She’s perfect for you, my baby,” Ajay’s mother said. Her round face beamed with joy. “You both know how to order people around on your phones.”

“Aunty,” Mina said with a grin. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Chapter Fourteen
Rajneet

Ajay’s mother insisted that, before everyone got to work, they all sit and have a quiet lunch. Raj politely accepted even though she was honest enough with herself to admit that she was terrified Ajay’s family wouldn’t approve of her.

As they surrounded the large marble table and talked about Bharat and Ajay’s family, Raj thought about her mother, and how every time family friends came over for a meal, Raj was required to help in the kitchen and put the food on the table. Her mother would praise her, would tell everyone what a good girl she was and how great a wife she’d one day become. Ajay’s mother didn’t look like she expected the same from the women her sons were involved with. But, of course, Raj would have to reserve judgment.

She was, after all, a soon-to-be divorcée, and even though she wore that badge with pride as she started the next part of her life, she wasn’t ignorant of the fact that people in her own community were going to judge her.

Ajay must’ve sensed her unease because he kept asking her if she liked the food. Which she did.

It brought memories back and forced her to face the fact that she’d have to make a decision about seeing her mother soon.

Less than an hour passed over food and conversation before everyone stood from the table, ready to get to work.

“The daal was truly excellent, Aunty,” she said to Ajay’s mother.