Page 32 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘Nothing,’ he said, clearing his throat. ‘I was just imagining how I’d get lost in the forest trying to find your cottage and probably get eaten by a wild animal.’

‘That’s possible,’ she agreed. ‘You can’t even keep track of your keys. You’ve even left them in the fridge before.’

‘That happened only once,’ Swayam protested.

Kashvi grinned. ‘I’d keep the location a secret, especially from you.’

‘That wouldn’t stop me, baby. I’d find you anyway.’ The certainty in his voice sent a small flutter through her stomach.

The café fell into a quiet hush around them. Kashvi meant to look away, but couldn’t. Moonlight slipped through the glass, brushing across his cheekbone, catching against the sharp edge of his jaw before settling on his lips.

The server interrupted them to let them know it was closing time. They quickly finished their coffee and settled the bill. A few minutes later, they stepped out into the night. The pavement gleamed faintly under the streetlights as they walked back towards the car.

‘So tell me again why this author has such a hold on you,’ Swayam insisted.

Kashvi considered it for a moment. ‘The kind of romance she writes feels… possible. Her characters argue, make mistakes, and figure things out together. It feels real.’

‘Sounds like ordinary life,’ Swayam observed.

‘Exactly. That’s why I like it. It’s comforting.’

‘Is that why you carry that book everywhere?’

They turned into a darker stretch of the street. ‘That… and it gives me bragging rights. Ira only did one independent print run with limited copies.’

‘Ah, so they’re rare.’

Her eyes lit up in glee. ‘Very! The hardcover I have is the only one Siya found for my twentieth birthday. It’s my most prized possession.’

His shoulders shook with laughter. ‘So you’d save it first in case of a fire?’

‘Obviously,’ she said, offended that he would even ask.

A drop of water hit her temple, and she glanced up. ‘I think it’s starting to rain.’

‘We should hurry,’ he said, eyeing the stormy sky.

They had barely taken a few steps before the drizzle turned heavy, blurring the streetlights and swallowing the road in a grey haze.

‘Oh, c’mon,’ Kashvi groaned, breaking into a run. ‘Why didn’t you park closer?’

‘Because I didn’t know it was going to rain,’ he shouted over the downpour, sprinting beside her.

Her heel slipped into a puddle and she stumbled, but Swayam caught her before she could fall.

‘If you want me to pick you up in my arms, Kash, just say the word,’ he laughed.

‘I will lock you out of the car for that,’ Kashvi warned, pushing wet strands of hair from her eyes.

‘Only if you get there first,’ he challenged, picking up speed.

‘Just try to keep up,’ she shot back, even though she was lagging a step behind.

By the time they reached the car, her breathing had turned ragged. Swayam slid into the driver’s seat first. She dropped intothe passenger seat with a groan, shutting the rain out behind her with a muted thud.

‘You cheated!’

‘You say that every time you lose,’ Swayam smirked.