Chapter 34

“Mister Schwartz, may I present Mrs. Rai?” Monica asked, drawing their attention to the sari-wrapped bundle hidden behind one of the palms that flanked her desk. “Danny, you remember my mother-in-law.”

“I do,” he said, slightly flustered. “Nice to see you again. You’ll excuse the state of my clothes.”

Ammaji nodded and smiled. “At least he’s got clothes on, right, Monica?” she said, referencing the mirror incident from early in his and Ashok’s courtship.

Monica blushed and forced a smile. “He doesn’t know about that,” she muttered between gritted teeth.

“He’s blushing, too,” Ammaji pointed out. “Of course he does. And thank you,” she said, turning her attention to Danny, “for getting my scooter back from the impound lot. I told Ashok you were a good boy.”

Danny, who had not only done nothing about Ammaji’s scooter but had forgotten her request that he do so, looked to Monica and then to Schwartz for information.