Chapter 26

The problem with best friends who know too much?

They don't let things go.

Ever.

It had been two days since my chai meet-up with Mehul.

And two days since Arjun and Riya decided that my love life was their new favorite reality show.

Which was why, when I stepped into the office Monday morning, I wasn't surprised when Arjun appeared out of nowhere.

"Vihaan." He grinned. "How does it feel to be a changed man?"

I groaned. "Not this again."

Arjun clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Listen, buddy. It's okay. Love changes people."

I nearly threw my laptop at his face.

Riya strolled up, smirking. "So, did Mehul text you again?"

I froze.

Which was the worst thing I could have done.

Because Arjun immediately noticed.

His eyes widened. "Wait. He did, didn't he?"

Riya gasped. "Oh my god."

I sighed, accepting my fate. "It was nothing. He just… followed up on the report."

Arjun wiggled his eyebrows. "And did you reply in 0.2 seconds like a desperate man?"

I absolutely had.

But they didn't need to know that.

So I lied. "No."

Riya tilted her head. "Uh-huh. So if I check your last chat with him—"

I grabbed my phone and stuffed it in my pocket. "Can we work? Please?"

Arjun grinned. "Sure, sure. We'll let it go."

I knew they wouldn't.

And I was right.

Because two hours later, they placed bets on my downfall.

It started innocently enough.

Arjun was setting up a spreadsheet for our next campaign when he paused, looked at Riya, and said:

"How long before Vihaan completely loses it?"

Riya hummed. "Hmm. I'd say… two weeks. Maybe less."

I looked up. "Excuse me?"

Arjun nodded. "Bold prediction. I like it. I'll give him ten days."

I stared at them. "Are you—are you actually betting on me?"

Riya shrugged. "Of course."

Arjun smirked. "We need entertainment."

I buried my face in my hands. "I hate you both."

They ignored me.

Riya tapped her chin. "Alright. Let's set some rules."

Arjun leaned forward. "Alright. He officially loses when one of these three things happens:

He asks Mehul out (and survives).Mehul does something ridiculously soft and Vihaan actually dies.Vihaan confesses his undying love in a tragic, dramatic monologue."

Riya grinned. "Ooooh. That last one is my favorite."

I was going to kill them.

I opened my mouth to protest—but then I saw something that made me freeze.

Because across the room, Mehul had just walked in.

And looked straight at me.

It was nothing.

Just a glance.

Not even a full second.

But it still hit me like a goddamn truck.

Because Mehul's gaze didn't just pass over me.

It stopped.

Just for a moment.

Like he was checking.

And then he looked away.

Like it was normal.

Like he hadn't just wrecked my entire existence.

My stomach flipped. My pulse picked up.

And suddenly—I had the terrifying realization that I wanted him to do it again.

Which meant…

Arjun and Riya were absolutely right.

I was going to lose this bet.