Page 18 of Knot So Romantic

A ten-minute drive leads me to the boutique, which looks even prettier and lit up at night. Through the sheer curtains, I can see someone moving around inside. Faint music drifts out, so I’m guessing they’re still open.

I approach the front porch and decide to knock. After waiting a solid two minutes with no response, I knock again, but there’s still no answer. Cautiously, I try the doorknob and turn it. Surprisingly, it’s unlocked, and the door swings open to the sound of music blasting from inside.

And that’s when I’m met with the weirdest sight: Kavita dancing, her hips swaying to the rhythm as she moves energetically. She’s wearing yoga pants and a sports bra.

She doesn’t seem to have heard the door open, which alarms me. Just before the brass bell hanging above clangs against my head, I grab it, making it ring out loudly.

Kavita abruptly stops dancing, shuts off the music, and turns to face me. For a moment, she looks shell-shocked before collecting herself. “Neel?”

Releasing the bell, I take a few steps inside. “Sorry, I thought you were still open for business.”

“I was...I mean, I am. Technically. I just don’t have any appointments, so I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

“You didn’t lock the door,” I blurt out, immediately regretting my words. But concern overrides awkwardness. It’s a quiet neighborhood, but I worry about her safety being alone with the door unlocked.

“Oh!” She smacks her forehead. “Ramu probably left without locking up.”

“Ramu?” A friend? A boyfriend who lives with her?

She grins as she throws on a cover-up. “My security guard. He locks the gates after hours, but he’s often chatting with the other guards or taking a tea break. I assumed he’d stayed behind.”

“I didn’t see anyone outside.”

“I only lock up when I head upstairs for the night.”

I’m confused again. “Upstairs like...?”

“I live right above the boutique, so it’s convenient to stay open late if needed. I just have to walk upstairs.” She laughs, shaking her head. “Sorry, I should’ve offered you something. I got carried away.”

“No worries. I only came because Elena left her bag. It has my mom’s crochet stuff, so I wanted to pick it up.”

She starts looking around the boutique, moving behind mannequins. “A bag? Oh yeah, she called about it, and I put it in the back room.” She retrieves it and hands it over. “Here you go.”

“Thanks. Sorry to bother you.”

“Not a bother at all. It’s good to see you again.” Her eyes sparkle as she smiles.

I turn to leave, pausing at the bell. It’s just above my head, and I almost hit it again. “This thing needs to be hung higher.” Technically, there’s a rope dangling below it, making it accessible even when raised. But having it this low poses a risk of injury. Still, I’m taller than average, so maybe she doesn’t need to worry about it.

“We just installed it last week. I’ve been reminding Ramu to rehang it, but he’s probably been too busy goofing off to do any work around here.”

“Want me to do it for you?” I don’t even know why I volunteer to help. Maybe I did want to spend a little more time here. This place has a vibe that calms me and almost brings me a sense of peace that’s rare to come by. So, a few more minutes should be good. Or, maybe I’m simply kidding myself. I just want to hear her voice, her laughter, and see that smile again.

Her eyes light up. “Would you?”

There’s a twang in my chest at the way she looks at me. It prompts me to put on a serious face rather than smile back. It’s not that I’m incapable of flirting when a beautiful woman smiles at me, but perhaps I’m just a little too old and jaded. “Of course.”

She fetches a ladder, looking at me hopefully as I climb up. There’s an iron hook on the ceiling, and as I inspect it, I feel two hands steadying my ankles.

“Hope you don’t mind some extra support,” she says.

“Thanks.” I adjust the rope, pulling it higher and anchoring it in place. “Is this better?” I glance down at her.

She nods in approval. As I descend and our eyes connect, I can’t help but notice her biting her lip. She seems to do that a lot.

I stand under the bell, satisfied it’s now way past the top of my head. “I’ll get going then.”

We do an awkward dance as she picks up the ladder to put it back, just as I consider doing it myself. A spark shoots up my arm as our fingers brush.