Page 28 of The Promise of a Traitor

“I own it.”

Why was he not surprised? The day he’d walked in to this place, it had grated on his nerves. The easy boho chic vibe had instinctively reminded him of her, making it hard to walk through the doors. It made sense she’d pick her own workspace for the meeting.

“So, engineering is a thing of the past then?”

“Hard to get a job with an incomplete degree, Adi,” she said, softly, opening the car door and moving to get out. “Thanks for the ride.”

He reached out with a hand, stopping her from walking away, his fingers wrapping around her wrist, holding her in place. Aastha turned slightly, her hair falling forward to frame her tense profile.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

She didn’t reply, just glanced over her shoulder, unasked questions in her gaze.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had your coffee, Aastha.” Her probing gaze searched his. The wary suspicion in her gaze slowly faded and a soft smile curved her lips. It made something deep inside his frozen heart ache.

“Welcome then,” she murmured. “Come in.”

He reluctantly let go of her hand, the feel of her soft skin seeming to have permanently branded his fingers. He locked the car and followed her into the café, the cool air of the air conditioner seeming to bring with it the most tantalising smells.

“Americano?” Aastha asked, leading him to a table in the car.

Advik started to nod and then paused. “Actually,” he said, “bring me something new. Surprise me.”

She smiled, this time a bright, warm grin. The ache in his heart was back. He sat down at the table she’d led him to and watched her as she bustled off, calling instructions to her staff. She tied on an apron with the café’s logo and bundled her hair into a hairnet.

Advik rubbed his palm against his chest as he watched a scene that was so familiar to him and yet carried a veneer of strangeness. Life had brought the two of them full circle. Maybe now was the time to bridge that gap, see where it led them.

Aastha walked back to where he sat, a tray in her hands. “An espresso tonic with a slice of orange olive cake,” she said with a flourish as she set it down.

Advik’s eyebrows rose as he took in the sparkling espresso and the delicious looking cake. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

Aastha’s smile faltered. “I have work to get to.”

“A few moments,” he persisted.

She looked over to where her staff were watching them with avid interest. “I really should-“

“Sit with me, Aastha.” He looked up at her. “Please?”

She sat down, her expression carefully blank. Advik picked up the espresso and took a sip, the tonic water in it a refreshing surprise.

Aastha was watching him closely, braced for his reaction.

“It’s wonderful,” he told her, slicing a portion of the cake and holding it out to her. Aastha shook her head, leaning away from his offering.

“Chicken,” he taunted.

Something flashed in her eyes and she leaned forward, her lips closing around the spoon. He caught a glimpse of pink tongue swirling around the soft cake before disappearing. He pulled back the empty spoon, dropping it with a clatter on the plate. It wasn’t only his heart aching now.

“You wanted to talk about the past, about us,” he told her softly, willing his body to behave. “I’m listening.”

Chapter Eighteen

Aastha

“Now?” she asked, her heart hammering against her rib cage.

“Do you want to wait for a more auspicious moment?” Advik raised an eyebrow. “Like say, our wedding night?”