“You come here often?” he asks.
I raise a brow. “My first time. I’m here with my colleagues.”
His mouth forms an ‘o’. “Why are you here at the bar and not with them?”
I snort and nod in their direction. “They’re bantering right over there. Thought I’d give them some... privacy.”
He follows my gaze, a grin forming. “Giving me a chance to banter with a beautiful woman like you, huh?”
God!He’s flirting? Really?
I don’t push back. Instead, I push on. “Any topics you’d consider to banter with?”
He chuckles, the voice rich and musical. “How about... best meal? Like a dish or something? I’m very anal about it.”
I return his boyish grin with my own smug one. “I like...malai kofta.”
He gasps with mock-offense. “Really? C’mon! I thought you’d say something like...”
“Something like?” I ask when he trails off.
He smirks. “Like maybebhindi.”
Now it’s my turn to gasp. “Bhindi? Are you fucking serious? I love the vegetable, but it doesn’t stand a chance againstkofta, okay?”
He rolls his eyes, arms raised in surrender. “Fine!Fine. What about... favorite bar?”
“Well... we’re at this one. I’m guessing I should saythis one?”
He grins. “Good answer. I own it, so you’d better.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “It was a trap, wasn’t it?”
“Absolutely,” he mutters, his gaze dropping to my lips.
My whole face heats up with awareness. His knees grazing mine gently.
He smiles softly, looking into my eyes. “What’s your name?”
I beam at him, holding out my hand. “Greesha Pathan. Nice to meet you.”
His breath shudders as he stares at my outstretched hand. Then he takes it. His hand warm and soft.
“Nice to meet you, Greesha Pathan. I’m... Advik Sharma.”
I nod, smiling. The theatrics are over. It’s done, isn’t it?
I sought this bar out. And then he soughtmeout. We chose this.
I feel a sudden sting at the back of my throat. My eyes welling up slightly. I swallow the emotion.
This is it.
“Ready to start your quiet, boring, normal, beautiful life?” he whispers, voice cracking slightly.
I grin, a watery chuckle escapes me.
“I already started. Care to join me, Vik?”
