Sam ran through the restaurant and slammed open the kitchen door.

“Just the man I want to see.” Nasir waved him over to the stove. “I’ve made your favorite masala dosas to give you energy for the interview.”

“That’s very kind, but I need to find Nisha.” His hands shook with excitement. “I have some news.”

“She’s with John upstairs in Layla’s office.” Nasir put the plate in Sam’s hands and carefully added a small bowl of sambar and some coconut chutney. “There’s enough to share. Don’t spill the dip.”

Sam took the stairs two at a time, slowing when he heard voices on the second floor.

“Sam!” Nisha’s eyes sparkled when he walked into the office. “Guess what?”

“I’ve been looking all over for you.” He put the dosas on the reception desk. “I called everyone I knew. I drove around . . .” He drew in a ragged breath. “It’s over, Nisha. Karen in HR—”

“You wouldn’t believe what happened—”

“We saw the surveillance tape,” he said, cutting her off. “And there was a witness. It was exactly as you said. You were arguing with him because he was drunk and about to go into surgery. You threatened to tell me if he didn’t cancel it.”

“The whole elevator was filled with flowers.” Nisha’s face lit up. “And when I got to the top—”

“He was angry,” Sam continued. “So angry. He pushed you. I don’t know if he meant for you to get harmed, because he seemed genuinely shocked when you fell. But then he walked away and left you there. Karen took it straight to the CEO, and she made a copy for us so we can go to the police if they try to bury it again—”

“John proposed!”

* * *

• • •

AFTER the shock of the engagement announcement had faded and John and Nisha had gone, Sam sat on the purple chaise and ate his masala dosas while Layla finished her work. He couldn’t get enough of his favorite treat, and Nasir had been more than accommodating. He already felt like part of the family, although Layla couldn’t convince him to change his last name.

“Ready for the interview?” She joined him on the chaise, and he pulled her onto his lap.

“I’ve had my daily dosas, and I’ve got two pockets filled with lucky charms. Your dad also contacted the secret ‘Patel network’ to pull in some favors, your aunts and uncles are on the case, and someone went around to my neighbors and asked them to keep their black cats inside. With your family behind me, skill seems irrelevant.”

Layla laughed. “If you remember, that’s how I got my business off the ground.”

“I thought it started with flying office supplies.” He pulled her down for a kiss, and she melted against him.

“Actually, I think it started with a game . . .”

Questions for Discussion

 1. What is the difference between a comedy, a romance, and a romantic comedy? How would you classify The Marriage Game, and why?

 2. If you were making a movie of this book, who would you cast?

 3. Although he loves her deeply, Layla’s father adheres to traditional cultural views that put higher expectations and more responsibility on sons. How do those views affect how Layla sees herself, if at all? Do those cultural attitudes impact the decisions she makes in life? How do those same attitudes come into play with respect to Sam, and what role do they play in his decision to abandon his family after his sister is hurt?

 4. Sam and Layla are physically attracted to each other when they first meet. When do you think they first feel an interest that goes beyond physical attraction? How does it change their behavior, if at all?

 5. Let’s talk about the big fight in the parking lot outside the sports center. What triggered it? Why did they become intimate after stripping each other emotionally bare, when the obvious thing to do was run away?

 6. Sam becomes emotionally invested in the relationship before Layla. How does he discover that Layla does not feel the same way, and how does he react? What is holding Layla back at this point?

 7. Sam is faced with an impossible choice when Royce shows up at the office with the board of directors. Why does he make the choice he does? Do you agree with his decision?

 8. When does Layla realize that she still wants to be with Sam despite his betrayal? When does she forgive him? How does he show her he is finally worthy of her love?