My memories are heightened by the smell of his aftershave that lingers in the air, the notes of cardamom and pepper making it impossible to forget our past. It’s the scent I picked out for him on one of our dates. I try not to read too much into what it means. Surely he’s only wearing it because it would be a waste to chuck it in the bin after our break-up. But who really knows with Salman?
I thought we’d always study together, but he made it clear that independent study is his preferred method. He’s made itobvious he doesn’t need me any more, he’s the one who would rather go solo than be with me, so he should be elated to have the chance to prove that he can do a much better job all on his own.
Still, I can’t stop thinking about the fact that Sadiadidsay we had to work together on this, and if I’m going to ensure that Ma gets on the client list, I probably shouldn’t piss her off. Even so, I stand my ground the only way I can think of.
‘It’s just,’ I say across the desk, feeling the need to explain myself, ‘I’m sure I could do a better job on my own than I could with you helping me.’
This catches him by surprise. ‘Is that so?’
‘Yeah. I’m confident.’ My stomach churns at the idea of doing the exact opposite of what Sadia wanted, but I don’t think I can work with Salman without losing my head.
‘So confident you’re willing to bet on it?’ Salman stretches casually in his chair, and I catch a glimpse of his abs as his shirt rides up.
‘I am.’
‘So what’s the prize?
‘If I win, you have to quit.’ The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
His arms return to his sides as he straightens in his seat. ‘You want me to quit?’
‘Yes,’ I say immediately.
‘Wow. OK. Brutal.’ He shakes his head as if clearing his thoughts. ‘Fine. And ifIwin –’
‘Which you won’t.’
He huffs out a breath – not in an annoyed way, but almost like he finds it amusing.‘Let me rephrase,whenI win, one of your nights with the group has to be merged with mine.’
‘What does that mean?’
He rolls his chair over to my desk, stopping inches away from me. ‘It means that our dear friends won’t have divorced parentsfor a night. They’ll get to hang out with both of us. Just like we all used to.’
I expected him to ask the same of me as I did of him, that I quit Eternally Yours. To be honest, I don’t know if this is worse or better.
‘Why don’t we just keep the stakes the same? I have to quit if you win. Which you won’t, by the way.’
‘That’s not what I want.’
I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t he want me to quit? Is it the same reason he’s been so ‘nice’ to me? Is keeping me around part of his plan? But what role could I play in whatever bigger ploy he’s got going on? Whatever the reason, I can’t let it happen.
‘Do we have a deal?’ he asks, holding out his hand with a look that radiates superiority.
I shake his hand, ignoring my racing heart. ‘You’re going down, Salman.’
His face breaks into a smile so bright I need sunglasses. ‘We’ll see.’
We hold eye contact for longer than feels appropriate, and it’s only when I go to turn back to my desk that I realise we’re still holding hands; they fit together as if that’s where they belong. We clear our throats and let go, and the absence of his warmth instantly sends a shiver down my spine.
As I focus back on an intake form, I try to ignore an impending sense of doom as my gaze darts across the pages, my hands feverishly making notes on every sentence, refusing to miss out on any detail that could help me win.
There’s no way in hell that I will lose against Salman. I don’t want him to work here any more, and I want to win because it’s enough hanging out with him at work; I don’t want to hang out with him after work as well.
A bet is a bet, and Iwillwin.
I have to.
9
