Page 31 of Since You Stole My Heart

He chuckled. ‘Just temporary setbacks, but I’m more determined than ever. I learn from my mistakes, darling.’

‘I still don’t understand why you’re fixated on my pendant,’ she asked, tilting her head.

‘Like I told you, when I set my eyes on something, I always find a way to make it mine.’ Though he spoke of the ruby heart, his gaze remained fixed on her.

She held the pendant between her fingers, taunting him. ‘You’ll never get it, Swayam.’

His gaze stayed locked on the pendant, and then flickered briefly to her lips, making her breath hitch. ‘Don’t tempt me, Kash. It’s just you and me here. I might try to steal it right now.’

Her pulse kicked up. To hide it, she tossed a sugar packet at him. ‘Dream on. So what drove you to drink so much coffee? Editing manuscripts till sunrise again?’

Swayam held her gaze. ‘No. I was waiting for you to call.’

Kashvi tensed, the cup hovering near her lips before she lowered it carefully. His answer hit her with an unexpected force, dragging her thoughts back to the past few nights. She had wanted to call him more times than she could count.

And now, knowing he had stayed awake too, drinking coffee he hated while thinking of her, she had no idea what to do with that.

Kashvi cleared her throat. ‘Well, if that’s what it takes to make you listen to me, maybe I should disappear more often.’

The warmth in his gaze sharpened into a demanding look. ‘Don’t ever do that to me again, Kash.’

Even though he said it casually, the words left no room for debate.

‘I was just joking,’ she replied lightly.

Swayam shook it off. ‘Can I ask you something?’

‘Sure.’ She traced a finger along the rim of her cup, watching the steam curl upwards.

‘Did you mean what you said earlier tonight about never wanting to get married?’

‘Yes.’

‘Is that why you don’t date?’ he prompted, his gaze fixed on her.

The question caught her off guard. Kashvi looked up at the ceiling for a second, choosing her words carefully. ‘If there’s no chance of forever, what’s the point of building something just to watch it fall apart?’

‘But what if there is a chance?’ Swayam asked softly, hope threading through his voice.

‘I’m not as optimistic as you,’ Kashvi observed dryly.

‘Yes, I am, and for good reason. Just look at your sister and Abhay. Or Raghav and Mihu.’

It had taken Kashvi a long time to trust that someone would truly look after her sister, and watching Abhay do it with love had felt like an answer to her prayers. But she had never prayed the same for herself, not even once.

‘I’m really happy for them, but that’s not the life I see for myself.’

‘So what kind of future do you see?’

This answer came easily. ‘A cottage in the mountains. Quiet solitude. Just me… and maybe two or three dogs running around. And walls full of books!’

‘Why does that sound familiar?’ Swayam wondered.

Kashvi waved it off. ‘Because my favourite author, Ira, lives like that. I’ve told you about her. She’s basically my idol.’

He burst into laughter, making her blink in confusion.

‘What?’