Chapter 16

Aria woke slowly, the early morning light filtering through the curtains in soft golden streaks. She stretched, muscles aching slightly from last night—too much dancing, too much tension, too much thinking.

Something warm and familiar was draped over the edge of her bed. Kabir's jacket.

She hadn't even realized she had kept it so close. Sometime during the night, she must have pulled it near, as if the faint trace of his scent—clean, crisp, with something darker beneath—had anchored her enough to fall asleep. The realization made her freeze for a second before she sighed, rubbing her face.

It wasn't just the jacket. It was everything.

The kiss. The dance. The way he knew exactly how to push her buttons. The smirk that made her want to roll her eyes and—if she was being completely honest—pull him closer just to wipe it off his face.

And then the way he had steadied her when she needed it most.

Last night had been a mess of emotions, irritation and sparks tangled together in a way she couldn't quite unravel. Aarav had been furious, demanding explanations as if he had some claim over her actions. Her father had been relentless in his usual way, pressing on old wounds. But Kabir?

Kabir had just been there.

Letting her lean. Letting her breathe.

Aria ran a hand through her hair and groaned. What was she even doing? She had bigger things to focus on than some insufferable, arrogant man with annoyingly good timing.

Pushing the thoughts away, she grabbed her phone, already dreading what she might find. Sure enough, there was a message from Aarav.

Aarav: Can we talk? Last night got out of hand.

She stared at it for a long moment.

A week ago, she would have just brushed the whole thing under the rug. Would have told herself he meant well, that he was just looking out for her.

But last night hadn't been okay.

So instead of letting it slide, she tapped out a reply.

Aria: We can talk. But I need you to know last night wasn't okay. I get that you worry, but I don't need you to control me. You assumed I was being reckless when really, I was just tired of explaining myself. If we're really friends, then I need better from you.

She hovered over the send button, debating. But no, this needed to be said.

She hit send.

Setting her phone down, she exhaled.

That should have been the hard part. But somehow, the next message felt even harder.

Kabir hadn't asked for an explanation. Hadn't demanded anything from her. Yet, here she was, feeling like she wanted to say something.

Would he laugh at her for it?

Probably.

But she started typing anyway.

Aria: Hey. I never really said thanks for last night. So… thanks. For not pushing, for just being there. You didn't have to, but you did. And I appreciate it.

She hit send before she could second-guess herself.

A few seconds later, her phone buzzed.

Kabir: I feel like I should frame this message. A thank-you from Aria? Unbelievable.

She rolled her eyes.

Aria: I'll believe you made it your screen lock when I see it.

The reply came instantly.

Kabir: Wanna come over now and see it?

Aria blinked at the screen, feeling an involuntary smile tug at her lips before she caught herself.

What was wrong with her? Smiling like an idiot over something like this?

She needed to get it together.

Work. Work was the priority.

The office was already buzzing by the time she arrived. She barely had time to take off her coat before diving headfirst into work, flipping through reports, responding to emails, and reviewing presentations.

Hours passed. She barely noticed.

That was, until Paul—her assistant, professional meddler, and biggest headache—plopped himself into the chair across from her desk.

She didn't look up. "Do you need something?"

"Not really," he mused. "Just wondering how your night went. You seemed… distracted this morning."

She kept typing. "It was fine."

Paul made a noncommittal sound. "Kabir, huh?"

"Yeah," she muttered absently.

She only realized what she'd said when she saw Paul's smirk.

Her fingers froze on the keyboard.

Paul clutched his chest. "Oh my god, did you just—was that an unconscious response? That was beautiful."

Aria groaned. "Get out."

"Absolutely not." He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "So, Kabir?"

"It's nothing," she said quickly, trying to redirect. "I have a ton of work—"

"You and your deflection." Paul shook his head. "You know, I really like him."

That made her look up. "What?"

Paul shrugged. "He's good for you."

Aria opened her mouth to argue but found herself hesitating.

Paul had known her for years. He had seen her deal with men who thought they had a say in her life, with family expectations, with the pressure she never spoke about.

And now, here he was, telling her that Kabir—the most frustrating, arrogant man she knew—was good for her?

Paul watched her closely, then grinned. "You don't have to say anything. Just think about it."

She scowled. "I hate you."

"Love you too, boss."

As he walked out, Aria sighed, turning back to her screen.

Work.

She needed to focus on work.

But her mind—traitorous as ever—lingered on the way Kabir had been last night. On his words that didn't demand anything, just offered.

On the way he made her feel… less alone.

And that, she decided, was definitely a problem.