Page 41 of The Promise of a Traitor

“And more.”

“Make me a dark chocolate and mint souffle in the next 45 minutes and we’ll talk.”

Rehaan scoffed, a rakish grin spreading over his face. “I’ll make you ten.”

“Alright Chef,” Aastha replied, unable to stop herself smiling back. “Let’s see what you are made of.”

“God help us all,” Advik muttered as Rehaan followed her into the kitchen.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Advik

He watched bemused as Rehaan whipped out a ‘Kiss the cook’ apron from the duffle bag he was carrying and put it on. Advik was pretty sure several women sighed loudly watching him. Rehaan sauntered past them and into the kitchen, Aastha disappearing right behind him.

“Is now a good time to say I’ve seen everything?” Vikram asked from behind him.

“Do you think he’s going to burn her kitchen down?” Advik muttered, worry seeping into his voice.

“I think Aastha has the situation and him under control, bro.” Vikram prodded Advik towards a corner table and placed an order for two espressos.

Advik fell into the seat, scrubbing his hands over his face.

“Your mom’s angry,” Vikram commented, watching him.

“Are we stating the obvious now?” Advik asked.

“Hiding the fact that Aastha is your ex is pretty huge. I overheard the mothers discussing it. Just so you know, they are furious with her for breaking your heart.”

“God!” Advik groaned. “The drama isn’t necessary.”

“It all makes so much more sense now,” Vikram mused. “All the angsty, broody silences and dark glances. Also, the whole I will say yes to marrying a woman I barely know and clearly dislike.”

A loud crash sounded from behind the door leading to the kitchen. Advik winced, “Should we check on them?”

Advik glanced towards the door that shut her off from his view. A strange restlessness swam through him. His fingers tapped against the table, a staccato rhythm that seemed to mimic his agitated heartbeat.

Vikram rapped him on his knuckles with a spoon. “Stop it,” he ordered. “You’re making the customers nervous.”

Advik’s fingers stilled. “Vik?”

“Hmm?”

“I fucked everything up.”

“You think?” Vik sipped his espresso and watched him.

Advik’s fingers started tapping again.

“What the hell happened in New York?” Vik asked, bemused, his eyes on Advik’s fingers, watching his compulsively controlled cousin unravel completely.

“She…” Advik glanced at the shut door again. “I…”

Vikram’s eyebrows shot up as he leaned back in his seat and waited. “Dude, you’re glitching.”

Advik buried his face in his hands, his fingers tunnelling through his hair and tugging hard. The pain grounded him for a moment and he looked up, taking a deep breath.

“We were in love.”