Page 35 of Right Where I Belong

Aditya chuckled. “And here I thought it was bad for me because I spent a night with someone who is sort of…”

“… Rithwik’s sister-in-law?” Akash completed, with an arched brow.

“I was going to sayfriend, but yeah, when you put it like that, it sounds way worse.” Aditya grimaced. “We’re both fucked, aren’t we?”

“Yes, and that’s why I can’t be the one asking Shauna about Sabrina,” Akash said, deadpan.

Aditya sighed and pulled out his phone. “Well then, that leaves me with no choice.”

“You’re really calling Rithwik?”

“What other option do I have? You’re clearly too busy spiraling over Shauna.”

“And you’re getting fixated over a woman who’s onlysortof a friend to you. But by all means, go ahead and call Rithwik. I’d like to see you fumble through that conversation.”

Aditya glared at him. Sometimes, Akash was too cheeky for his own good.

Rithwik answered on the third ring. “Aditya? Why are you calling me in the middle of the night? Is everything okay?”

Fuck, he’d forgotten Rithwik was in London.

“Sorry, I’ll call you later,” Aditya said. “Go to sleep.”

“No, I’m up now,” Rithwik said, yawning. “What’s up?”

“I’m in Singapore, and I met Sabrina last night.”

“You did?” Rithwik instantly sounded alert, wary.

“Yeah, I ran into her,” he said quickly. “We didn’t get a chance to talk much, and I realized I don’t even know where she’s staying. Thought I’d check with you.”

There was a pause. “Why?”

Aditya felt Akash watching him, smirking behind his tea.

“Because she’s in my city,” Aditya said, “and I’d like to catch up with her over lunch or something.”

Akash laughed. “Or something?”

Aditya shot him a flat look.

“You two didn’t exactly talk much back home,” Rithwik said carefully.

“I know. But since she’s here, I’d like to connect.”

“Hmm.” Rithwik didn’t exactly sound convinced. Still, he said, “Aisha and I got her to stay with Shauna.”

“Okay,” Aditya said. “Please text me the address.”

“I will,” Rithwik paused before he said, “Just so you know, Sabrina’s not in the headspace for complications.”

“I’m not trying to complicate anything.”

“You calling me in the middle of the night speaks otherwise,” Rithwik said. “Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that she’s finally starting to breathe again after a long time. And I know you, Aditya. I know how you are around a beautiful woman, so I’m just warning you that Sabrina’s off limits. You can be a friend to her, but that’s it. You’ve just gotten out of a messy relationship, and I don’t want her to be your rebound. I don’t want her getting hurt in any way.”

Aditya was silent for a beat. “I’m not going to hurt her.”

“You better not,” Rithwik said, his tone laced with steel. You’re important to me, but remember, so is she.”