“You know what I mean. I seem to consistently do things that cause my parents anxiety.” Ignoring warning signs.

“You have to live your life, Annika. You’re a great teacher—”

“You know that doesn’t really matter to them.” Annika waved it off; she was done with this conversation.

“So, where were you all day?” Naya didn’t wait for an answer. “Let me guess, out with a certain tall, dark and handsome?”

Annika froze. How had Naya known she was out with Daniel?

“How is dear Sajan?” Naya dragged out Sajan’s name in that singsong-y way they used to when they were kids.

Oh.

“You weren’t out with Sajan?”

“Um, no.” She didn’t feel like explaining who it was, so she turned and headed for her room.

“Then who was it?” Naya had followed her.

“No one.”

“‘No one’ left awfully quickly.”

“We’re just friends, and he had somewhere to be.” Annika shrugged and entered her room. Again, Naya followed. This woman had no boundaries.

“So why won’t you tell me who it—” She pointed a finger at Annika. “This is someone you like.” She narrowed her eyes and gasped, shaking her finger at her. “You were out with that nurse, from the bar, and you were dancing with him last weekend. What was his name? Daniel! You were out with that Daniel, weren’t you?”

It sounded scarily like an accusation, but hadn’t Naya been the one to tell her to go for it?

“He’s a nurse practitioner,” Annika defended him. “And everyone was dancing.” She defended herself.

“Yeah, but who knew that he could garba like that? And he couldn’t take his eyes off you.” Naya’s eyes widened. “But what about Sajan?”

“What about him? He’s nice, but—”

“Weren’t you at the wedding? Everyone was talking about what a great couple you two would make.”

“Who is everyone?”

“Your parents. And mine.”

Annika raised her eyebrows.

“And maybe his,” Naya added.

“What? I never said—I didn’t do—I really hate the gossip thing.” Annika flopped down onto her bed.

“I knew it—you were out with Daniel!”

“What if I was?”

“I thought he was a stalker or something?”

“He’s not. In fact, he’s very, very...” Sweet. Kind. Sexy. Distracted by his ex-wife. Weird aversion to his nephew. What was she doing? Sajan was sweet and kind and handsome by anyone’s standards. He didn’t come with secrets, or ex-wives, or weird bourbon issues. He’d grown up like she did—he would get her—like Naya and Ravi.

But Daniel did understand her.

Her parents already liked Sajan.

“Annika? Hellooo? Annika?” Naya was waving her hand in front of Annika’s face. “Where’d you go?”

“Nowhere. How’s Ravi?” Just as she’d hoped, Naya’s eyes got all dreamy, and she forgot about lecturing Annika.