Page 148 of Reasons We Break

Paul glances at Simran. “What do you think?”

Simran’s already on thin ice with Paul, so she chooses her words carefully. “I’m happy Mr. Hillway’s here, but I agree this night should be about the volunteers. I suggest we put the food on the tables so they can eat right when they arrive.”

Paul looks between them. “Well...it’syourevent, I suppose.” He shakes his head and goes to tell the caterers.

“Damn, Simran Auntie,” Rajan says when they’re alone. “That was the politest fuck-off I’ve ever seen.”

Simran faces him. “What’re you doing here, Rajan?”

He doesn’t miss a beat. “Volunteering. Helping humanity. Seva. Whatever you wanna call it.”

He’s acting too casual, but she plays along for now. “You...rejoined Hillway? But you’re done.”

He shrugs. “Paul needed extra hands tonight.”

She has a feeling there’s a lot more going on behind that sentence, but right then the Hillway president joins them.

“Simran. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He shakes her hand, beaming. “I’m so impressed with what you’ve done for the organization. Revitalizing it with all these creative volunteering opportunities. And this dinner! It’s an...interesting idea.”

He sounds uncertain about whether it’s a good one. “I don’t want them to only see community service as a punishment,” Simran replies. “It can be rewarding. Fun. A way to build skills. If they don’t turn up, that’s fine, but we should show we’re genuine about it.”

“Well said,” he replies, and she can tell she just won him over. “Our board of governors could use some fresh minds. One of the members is retiring this year. How would you feel about joining?”

Simran blinks. “I’ll—think about it.”

“Excellent. So nice to meet you, Simran.” He leaves her to join Paul again, and Simran glances around to find Rajan on the other side of the room draping tablecloths. She so badly wants to talk to him...but she doesn’t want to scare him away, either. So she watches from afar. He looks worlds better than he did in the hospital, although he still holds himself differently. Probably the ribs.

It’s overwhelming to see him standing there, exuding warmth and comfort andvitality, because if Nick had gotten to him a minute later he wouldn’t be. And maybe, even if she can’t be with him, she can be grateful that he’s here, that he’s getting the second chance he always deserved. And that can be enough.

She turns back to her work as the first Hillway mentee saunters through the door.

Surprisingly, seven volunteers turn up. Simran ordered food for twenty but would’ve considered the night a success if even three showed. She drifts around saying hellos and making sure everything goes smoothly—which includes ordering emergency takeout for someone with food restrictions, solving a technical issue with the sound system, and running to a classroom for an extra chair. When the night’s over, she helps take down lights and wipe tables.

By the time she and Paul are wrestling theTHANK YOUbanner back into its much-too-small bag for future use, there’s no one else left except Rajan (who’s holding the bag open). When they’re done, Paul takes the bag, wiping sweat off his forehead. “I’ll let you lock up since you have to give the keys back anyway.” He drops them into her hand. “Did you get a chance to meet John? He was hoping to recruit you to the board.”

“Yes. It was nice of him to offer.”

“Don’t underplay it,” Rajan says. “When you said you’d think about it, the dude looked ready to cream himself.”

Simran hadn’t realized he’d been listening. Paul, however, turns beet-red. “Rajan!” he admonishes. “We don’t use that kind of crass language around our mentors.” He glances anxiously at Simran, then at Rajan. “Apologize to her at once.”

Rajan winks at Simran. “Sorry, Auntie.”

Simran smiles at him, hoping he’ll understand she doesn’t need his apologies. The fact that he doesn’t filter himself around her is one of her favourite things about him.

“How much of that conversation with Mr. Hillway did you hear?” she asks when Paul leaves to drag the banner bag back to his car.

“All of it. That part where you were talking about community service, though...you give these guys too much credit.”

“How so?” She spots one last chair in the corner, the one she’d taken from a classroom. She goes over to grab it.

Rajan reaches it first. In unison they walk out into the school hallway, him dragging the chair by the backrest. “Well, you were so busy tonight you didn’t notice two of them snuck out to smoke weed before dessert. Chicks were high as a kite while you were handing them cake. Does that make you regret hosting this thing?”

“No. It must’ve been a stressful day.”

“This other dude was making fun of the way Paul talks. And someoneelsehad to be seated at a different table from this other guy because they were about to get into a fight. Almost turned your little dinner into a WWE match. Doesthatmake you feel stupid for hosting this?”

“No, Rajan.”