DIVYA
The car slows in front of the building and my stomach immediately tightens.
It’s ridiculous how nervous I suddenly feel.
From the outside the publishing house looks elegant in a way that feels very different from the quiet office space I had imagined. Warm lights glow through the tall windows, and people are gathered near the entrance in clusters, talking and laughing in low voices.
I smooth my hands over the fabric of my dress for the fifth time.
Aditya notices. “You’re going to wrinkle it if you keep doing that.”
I glance at him. “I’m not nervous.”
“You’ve adjusted your sleeve three times since we parked.”
“I’m just making sure I look presentable.” He leans back in the driver’s seat, watching me with the faintest hint of amusement.
“You look beautiful.” The words land so easily that I don’t even process them for a second.
Then my face warms. “You didn’t even look properly,” I mutter.
“I’ve been looking at you since you stepped out of the room, baby”
I turn toward him sharply. “You’re saying things like that very casually.”
“That’s because they’re very true.” He smirks. I hate how effortlessly he does that.
How he says something simple and my entire brain forgets how to function for a moment. He steps out of the car and walks around to my side before I can respond.
When he opens the door he offers his hand. I stare at it.
“You do realize this is not necessary.”
“I like doing unnecessary things.”
I place my hand in his anyway. The moment our fingers intertwine the tension inside my chest loosens slightly.
He squeezes my hand once. “Ready?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“Why good?”
“Because the best evenings start with mild panic.”
I roll my eyes. But I don’t let go of his hand. The moment we step inside the building, conversations around us shift.
Not dramatically. Just enough that I notice. A few people glance toward Aditya with recognition. Someone waves.
Another man approaches us almost immediately. “Aditya! Finally.”
Aditya smiles politely and shakes his hand. “Arjun.”
Then he turns slightly toward me.
“This is my wife, Divya.”
