Tanya’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Is that all? Do you have any more insults?”
Neil’s eyes twinkled in mischief. “Don’t worry, I prefer to let out only one at a time.”
“Thank you, your highness.” Tanya’s sarcastic response only made him smirk once again.
Almost immediately, Neil sobered. “When I meant mysterious, I also meant the change in you as a person. Flirt with him, but be subtle. Give him a hint that you want...more.”
“Hint? Like what?” Tanya moved to the edge of her seat.
Neil almost groaned inwards.How did a woman of her age get to be this naive?He cleared his throat and waited while the waiter served them their desert. “Okay, I am here, and let’s suppose you are interested in me. What will you do?”
Tanya’s heart flipped at his words. She bit her lower lip with indecisiveness. “I...don’t know? Maybe, smile at you? Or, pointedly stare at you until you get it?” Tanya looked at him. “Perhaps, flutter my eyelashes?” Tanya flicked her lashes a little too fast.
Neil lost it when she attempted to flutter her lashes. He threw back his head and let out a rich laugh. It took a few minutes for him to realize that Tanya was least bit amused.
She blinked back her tears and got up quietly. “Excuse me.”
Shit!Neil hurriedly threw a few bills on the table and caught up with her. Tanya walked out of the restaurant, into the cool night. She was looking for an auto, when she felt Neil’s hand circle around her wrist. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I think I can manage, Mr. Grover. Please let me go home.” Her tone was frosty.
“No way. I said I’d drop you, and I will. You can throw all the tantrum you like once you’re back home.” Neil didn’t give her a chance to reply. Instead, he pulled her towards his car, which was brought by the valet.
Tanya sulked throughout the ten-minute journey to her house. She got out of the car without a backward glance once Neil stopped the vehicle in front of her house. He also got out, quickly following her to her doorstep.
“I am home, safe and sound. You may now leave with your conscience intact.” Tanya looked beyond his left shoulder, still seething from the humiliation.
“Hey,” Neil’s soft voice and his gentle fingers at her chin made her look at him. “I said I’m sorry. I didn’t laugh at you.”
“That’s not what it looked like.” She couldn’t stop the hurt from seeping in to her voice.
“I…was not laughing at you. Not at all. I was simply amazed there’s a woman who’s completely clueless. Believe me, you are a rarity in this world.” Neil’s voice was dry with humor and something else. Something that made her heart skip a beat.
Tanya did look at him then. “If you’re saying I am hopeless at flirting and don’t have the first clue how to be seductive, then yes, I am a rarity indeed. I cannot agree more.” She couldn’t help the bitterness when she thought about the numerous girlfriends men like Ritwik and Neil would have had in the past.
Neil stepped closer, his hand catching her chin firmly. “You don’t have to try, Tanya. You are sexy even without the smallest effort.”
Her breath caught in her throat. She looked at Neil as if he’d grown two heads. “You think I’m sexy? You’re just not saying that to make me feel better, are you?” Her voice was a mere whisper against the night’s breeze.
“Ritwik’s a fool for not seeing what is right in front of his eyes. At this moment I don’t know whom to strangle first, you or him.” Neil growled in frustration.
Tanya looked at Neil in shock. Her hands caught his biceps, an electric current passing at the mere touch. Before she could speak, he leaned in to softly kiss her cheek. “G’nite, sweets.” He stepped away, turned around, and quickly got into his car. Immediately, he drove out of her lane, before he said or did something they’d both regret.
That night, for a long time, Tanya sat on the sofa in her living room. She couldn’t understand the changes happening around her, within herself. After a few minutes, or it could have been hours, she slowly got up to change for bed.
Chapter 7
After feeling confused and strangely excited whenever she thought about Neil, Tanya was almost exhausted with her own company. As a result, she overslept and almost rushed to work on Monday. The insane traffic only added to her irritation. She almost ran to her desk when she realized she had a meeting in fifteen minutes.
Tanya stopped short as she got out of the lift. There was Ritwik, standing right in front of her desk. Her heart fluttered in recognition. She felt safe, suddenly realizing how much she missed her friend. She took the first few steps slowly just as Ritwik turned towards her. She ran to him even as his eyes widened in disbelief. Ritwik caught her at the last minute, almost lifting her. “Wow! Who are you? And, what have you done to my friend? It’s good to see you.” Ritwik’s voice was muffled.
Tanya looked up at him and grinned. “I missed you so much. You know…”
Before she could continue, a smooth voice interrupted them. “Tanya, may I have a word with you?”
She moved away from Ritwik. “Sure” She looked back at her friend. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“What can I do for you, Neil?” Tanya asked, as she entered with her notepad and pen.
