Free Vegas to Varanasi (Fortytude Series Book 1) by Shelly Hickman Page A

backs away a few inches and stops dancing. “What? I apologize. That woman is crazy sometimes.”
    I can’t help but laugh at this. It’s the first time I’ve heard him speak in such a personal, informal manner.
    I scan the room and the extravagance of the evening begins to sink in. I’m glad I chose not to dress as casually as I usually would for a birthday celebration, because this is quite a fancy party. In addition to the live band, there’s an open bar, along with all sorts of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and desserts on serving tables at the far end of the room.
    When I turn my attention back to Kiran, he’s got those greenies on me again. “You look very pretty, Anna.”
    “Oh. Thank you.” I swallow a gulp of air. “You look very handsome yourself. But then again, you always do.” Gahhhhh! That was too much!
    My cheeks catch fire.
    “Thank you.”
    “So, explain to me why Miranda is so enthralled with you tonight, when she wasn’t at all interested the night of the wedding.”
    “That’s a good question, but here is my theory. I think it’s all for your benefit.”
    I blink a few times and frown. “My benefit?”
    “She wasn’t showering me with attention until my mother mentioned that you would be here tonight.”
    I glance back in her direction to catch her eyeballing us with an annoyed expression on her face. Okay, this woman clearly has some issues.
    “Personally, I think you made an enemy of her that night when you took the waiter’s side over hers.”
    “Oh my hell.” I roll my eyes.
    I have the most difficult time looking directly at Kiran. For someone who comes off as reserved and somewhat shy, he has no problem with the constant eye contact. In fact, I can feel his gaze on me at this moment.
    “You know, you make me very nervous,” I admit.
    “I make you nervous?” He gives me an incredulous stare. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Anna. I know that you’re in a relationship.”
    That’s another thing about Kiran. He seems to say my name a lot when we speak. Most people don’t do that.
    “Well, no... I’m not, actually. Not anymore. And I didn’t say you make me uncomfortable. I said you make me nervous.”
    “You’re not? You’re not what?”
    “I’m not in a relationship. David moved out a couple weeks ago.”
    His hand slides from my waist to my upper back, like he might pull me in for a hug. He looks into my face with concern and squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry.”
    “I’ll be fine,” I reply promptly. “These things happen.”
    I expect him to conclude our dance when the song ends, however, we continue through the next song, neither of us saying anything for some time. I move in a little closer to him, mostly to avoid the intimate gazes.
    My stomach is in knots. By all appearances, Kiran is attracted to me. Either that, or he truly is hiding out on the dance floor to avoid Miranda.
    But no, he’s given me this feeling each time I’ve seen him. At my office, that day at Starbucks, even a little at the wedding reception. Though, I didn’t want to admit it when Luke made his comment about Kiran being “smitten” with me.
    Pft! Anna, you’re crazy. There’s no way someone who looks like Kiran...
    “I was just thinking.” He breaks into my thoughts. “About something else I’ve always remembered about you from high school.”
    “Please tell me this isn’t going to be about my Madonna phase. If so, be kind.”
    Kiran purses his lips together, as if he’s considering that visual. “No, not about your Madonna phase, which sadly, I missed.”
    “I’ve got pictures I can share with you sometime. If you’re ever interested.”
    “I’d like that.” He gives me an appreciative chuckle. “But what I remember is that there was this one student who, I think, must have been autistic. I never knew his name.”
    I nod because immediately I know who he’s referring to. “Yes! His name was Benny!”
    “Benny? Well, Benny almost always sat by