Chapter 37

I had spent weeks avoiding this.

Denying it. Over-analyzing it. Trying to pretend Mehul's actions didn't mean what they so obviously meant.

But last night?

With his jacket around my shoulders, his fingers lingering against my skin—

I finally broke.

And now?

Now, I was going to confess.

…If I didn't die of a heart attack first.

I had a plan.

Find Mehul.

Say it fast.

Get it over with before I lost my nerve.

Easy.

Except, the universe hated me.

Because the moment I stepped into the office, Arjun and Riya ambushed me.

Arjun grinned. "So. Something happened last night."

Riya smirked. "And we know it wasn't work-related."

I immediately panicked. "I—What? No. Nothing happened."

Riya gasped. "Oh my god. He kissed you, didn't he?"

Arjun nearly fell out of his chair. "WAIT. DID HE?"

I choked. "What—No!"

Riya sighed dramatically. "Ugh. So disappointing."

Arjun shrugged. "Eh. Give it a week."

I groaned. I did not have a week.

Because I was confessing today.

And I was going to do it before I chickened out.

I found Mehul in the breakroom, calm as ever, stirring his tea like he hadn't been ruining my life.

I took a breath. Steeled myself.

And then—I just said it.

"I like you."

The words fell out before I could stop them.

Mehul stilled. Spoon hovering midair.

I froze too.

Oh.

Oh god.

I actually said it.

I actually said it out loud.

Panic immediately set in.

Abort mission. Run. Escape while you still can.

But before I could bolt—

Mehul slowly turned to face me.

Expression unreadable. Eyes locked onto mine.

And then—he smiled.

Not a smirk. Not a knowing glance.

But a real, soft, devastatingly gentle smile.

And just like that, I stopped breathing.

Mehul took a step closer. Slow. Deliberate.

"You just realized?"

I blinked. What?

He tilted his head. "That you like me."

I forgot how to speak.

Because what was he implying?

I cleared my throat, trying to recover. "I—uh—"

Mehul hummed. "Took you long enough."

My brain short-circuited.

He knew.

He knew.

This whole time.

And just to end me completely, he reached forward—

And tugged lightly on the sleeve of his jacket, still draped over my arm.

"I was starting to think you'd never figure it out," he murmured.

I was going to die.

Right here. In this breakroom.

And the worst part?

I wouldn't even be mad about it.