Chapter 1
Rae Sinha smoothed the silky fabric of her red evening gown and took a deep breath. The faint hum of Christmas carols and the soft clinking of glasses drifted through the grand hall. She was in Chicago, half a world away from her studio in Mumbai, attending a black-tie event thrown by her childhood best friend, Arsh Bailey’s company. The evening buzzed with festivity, but all Rae could think about was seeing Arsh.
Arsh, now a poised and accomplished 28-year-old mechanical engineer, had texted Rae earlier that week, insisting she come as his date to the event. “You’ll love it,” he’d promised. Rae had rolled her eyes, imagining the formality of it all. Yet here she was, a little nervous and undeniably excited.
When Arsh caught sight of Rae stepping into the hall, time seemed to pause. He’d seen her in countless ways over the years: barefoot and laughing on the beaches of Goa, smeared with paint in her Mumbai studio, and even furious after he’d accidentally ruined her favourite scarf. But this—this was something else. Her confidence, her radiance—it knocked the wind out of him.
“Rae,” he managed, walking up to her. “You look stunning.”
Rae chuckled, her lips curving into a smile. “And you clean up pretty well yourself, Bailey.”
Their banter flowed effortlessly, like it always had, but beneath it, something shifted. Arsh found himself stealing glances at Rae’s sparkling eyes, and Rae felt a warmth creep up her neck every time Arsh’s gaze lingered.
