Page 81 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘Me too,’ she whispered back.

The line clicked, and Kashvi placed the receiver back in its cradle. His promise lingered in the air, drawing a faint smile from her.

It faded the next moment when her gaze fell on her phone.

Pulling herself together, she crossed the room and picked it up. While it switched on, a thousand scenarios ran throughher mind. But when no pending notifications appeared on the screen, she clutched at her chest in relief.

Whatever the hell this was, it was over. And if she believed it hard enough, maybe it would stay that way.

Chapter 16

Kashvi had never been the one to leave her office on time, let alone early. But today, after checking the clock all day, she was practically on the tips of her toes.

Then, finally, Swayam’s message came.

I’m downstairs.

She grabbed her purse and pulled open the office door. As she stepped out of the elevator, Kashvi checked for any new messages from the unknown number and let out a breath of relief when she didn’t find any.

She slipped the phone into her purse, refusing to let it unsettle the evening she had been looking forward to.

Kashvi stepped onto the curb, looking down the road for him.

A car pulled up in front of her with a smooth stop. Swayam leaned towards the passenger side, lowering the window. ‘Need a ride, sweetheart?’

She rested her elbow on the window edge as she bent down. ‘That depends. Do you always pick up random women off the street, or am I special?’

Swayam hummed, pretending to consider it. ‘Only if they’re the birthday girl.’

A startled laugh escaped her lips. ‘It’s my lucky day then.’

He opened the door for her, and she slid into the seat. ‘How come you brought the car?’ she asked, missing his Harley.

‘You’re a flight risk. I didn’t want you jumping off and running away because you hate my surprise,’ he chuckled.

Kashvi rolled her eyes.

He asked, ‘Did you deal with that guy who was bothering you?’

She froze for a moment, then settled back into the seat, keeping her gaze ahead. ‘Yeah, nothing to worry about. Um, about the evening… I’m not exactly feeling like myself and don’t know if I can handle a crowded, loud place.’

The idea of having another seizure in the middle of their first date didn’t appeal to her, but she hoped it didn’t sound like an excuse.

Swayam flashed her a grin. ‘Just trust me, Kash. I know what I’m doing.’

Her shoulders eased. ‘So, what exactly is this grand plan you’ve been acting so mysterious about?’

Swayam exhaled, a hint of nervousness slipping through. ‘Um, it didn’t go as smoothly as I thought it would, so I don’t really have a clean answer for you right now.’

She let out a soft chuckle. ‘What happened?’

‘I tried to do too much and lost track of what was supposed to happen when, and now it’s all just… a mess,’ he said, pulling into the parking lot of their complex.

‘It’s okay. You didn’t exactly have time to plan this months in advance, so I think you’re allowed a little leeway.’

Swayam cut off the engine. ‘That’s the worst part. I’ve been planning your birthday for the last couple of months, and it still fell apart.’

‘I’m sure it’s not that bad,’ Kashvi assured him as they made their way upstairs.