Priya in Heels (Entangled Embrace) Read Free Page B

glass.
    Well, if it was already paid for…and Tyler couldn’t possibly see me drink it from his spot. Every time I took a sip, I searched for his reaction, but he wasn’t looking at me.
    I waved off another guy who asked if he could buy me a drink.
    After finishing the cherry vodka, I stood, slow and steady, and found Vicki sweaty and flushed near the stage, right at Tyler’s feet.
    I tapped Vicki on the shoulder and nearly yelled, “I’m going to get going!”
    “I’m ready to leave, too! Can I get a ride?” she asked.
    I tried not to look, but damn, I did. Tyler’s beautiful face focused on the beat, his head rocked back and forth, and perspiration glistened on his brow. I turned from him as he looked up. Vicki waved to him. I walked away, but Vicki persistently tugged on my sleeve. I grabbed her wrist and yanked.
    “What are you doing?” Vicki spat. “That dude was totally into me.”
    “Yeah, I’m sure he’s a charmer. Did he buy you drinks, too?”
    She groaned. “Let’s talk to him. He’s gorgeous.”
    “You, uh, been hitting the sauce pretty hard?” I eyed her.
    “What does that mean?”
    “Since when are you ballsy enough to talk to guys like that?”
    She shrugged. “He said hi to me earlier. That makes it easier for me to wait until he’s done playing and talk to him. They only have one more song left.”
    “Look, it’s late and I need to get some sleep. You gonna wait for Tulsi and be her third wheel, or are you going home now?”
    Vicki shot Tyler a curious look and called Tulsi’s phone, which went straight to voicemail. “Priya and I are leaving. Get home safe. Call me when you get home!” She hung up. “She’ll be okay, right?”
    “She’s tipsy but smart enough.”
    “She better call back this time.”
    “I think after you yelled at her the last three times she didn’t, she’s wised up, especially since you reamed into her during her hangovers.”
    “Sometimes I’m tempted to tell her parents what she does.”
    “You sound like Jeeta.”
    “I’m surprised Jeeta hasn’t told on her.”
    “She’s probably too scared.”
    We laughed.
    By the time we pulled into our apartment parking lot, my thighs ached from having held them together for so long. I bolted up three flights of stairs. “I have to pee!” I called back.
    Even if we both needed the bathroom, Vicki would never be able to run in those heels.
    Hopping from foot to foot, I prayed pee wouldn’t trickle down my legs. My butt hit the toilet seat just in time for sweet, sweet relief.
    I washed up, changed clothes, emptied out my backpack, and put away some things when I heard Vicki speaking to someone. Maybe she was on the phone with Tulsi to make sure she made it home, but then I heard someone else’s voice. A guy’s voice?
    The landline rang.
    “It’s your mummie, beti !” Vicki called out in her best Indian accent.
    I picked up the phone. “Hello?”
    “How you are doing?” Mummie asked.
    The line clicked when Vicki hung up.
    “Fine. How are you? Is everything okay? Why are you calling this late?” I asked, apprehensive, as I flipped through my cell phone. My mother had called three times.
    “I haven’t heard from you in many days. I have some exciting news that couldn’t wait until morning.”
    I sighed, relieved to know she didn’t intend to hit me with bad news. “That’s okay. You can call me whenever you want to, Mummie.”
    “So sweet, my girl. Do you remember Manuk?”
    “Yes.” I silently gagged. What an ugly name.
    “Did you know he moved back to Dallas a few years ago?”
    “No.”
    “Well, he has a very nice house there. I heard he has an elevator.”
    “ Mmhmm .” I sat on the edge of the bed and checked my nails. They were long overdue for grooming.
    “He’s a dentist and has his own practice.”
    I slumped my shoulders, knowing where this was headed.
    “He’s looking for a wife, and his parents called me today.”
    “Did they ask about me?”
    “Yes!”
    I