“I came here to give you food,” she says, quieter now. “Not to be…whatever that was.”
I push my chair back slightly and stand. Walk around the desk very slowly, her eyes never leaving mine “What?” she asks when I stop in front of her.
I don’t answer immediately. Just look at her. Take her in. The way she’s trying to stay annoyed. The way her fingers fidget slightly at her side. The way her eyes don’t quite hold mine for too long.
“Thank you for bringing me lunch, Sunshine.” Her expression shifts. My hand finding her waist, pulling her closer before she can decide whether she wants to step back.
“Aryan—”
Too late. I kiss her. Like I’ve been wanting to do it since she walked in. Her breath catches immediately. Her hands press lightly against my chest—not pushing me away. I tilt my head slightly, deepening it just enough to make her forget whatever she was about to say. She does. Completely.
When I pull back—Her eyes are unfocused. Lips slightly parted. Breathing uneven.
And for a second—she just stares at me. Like I’ve knocked the words out of her.
I smile satisfied as she stands there gaping at me. “Desserts before food is the new right way to eat,” I wink at her and walk back to my desk chuckling silently as I hear her stomp and leave the office.
CHAPTER 50
ARYAN
I like birthdays.
I’ve never been one of those people who pretends they don’t matter, or shrugs them off like they’re just another date on the calendar. There’s something about a day that gathers your people in one place, strips life down to laughter and food and familiar voices, that I’ve always held onto.
Maybe it’s because I grew up in a house where birthdays meant noise.
Ma in the kitchen even when we told her not to. Radhika stealing frosting before the cake is even cut, no matter what her age is. Vedant pretending he doesn’t care but always being the first one to hand over a gift. Voices overlapping. People talking over each other. Someone always laughing louder than necessary.
Even now, nothing about that has really changed.
And tonight—Tonight feels…fuller. Because she’s here.
I notice her before anyone else does.
Of course I do.
I’ve been checking the door every few minutes like an idiot pretending he isn’t waiting.
And then—There she is. Standing at the entrance, one hand curled around the strap of her bag, scanning the room like she’s preparing for impact.
Nervous.
Ishika Vyas is nervous.
That alone makes something in my chest tighten in a way I don’t like.
She spots me. Our eyes meet. And there’s that small, almost hesitant smile that she only gives when she’s unsure of her footing.
God.
I move before I think about it. Cross the room in a few quick steps until I’m right in front of her.
“You came,” I say, softer than I intended.
She raises a brow, but there’s no bite to it. "It's your birthday Golden boy, I had to." She feigns an eye roll but I can see the smile tugging at her lips, "even if you annoy me too much," She smirks and leans in, I find my body leaning in too involuntarily, "I hope you do grow up this year though."
I laugh out loud, my head falling back and shake my head when I see a huge smile on her face. "I will try, no promises. Besides if I grow up who'll make you smile like that, Sunshine." I shrug and it's her turn to shake her head in disbelief.
