Chapter 38

I confessed.

I actually said it out loud.

And what did Mehul do?

He smiled.

Not shocked. Not flustered. Just… calm.

Like he already knew.

Like he had been waiting for me to figure it out.

And now?

Now, I was sulking.

Because, apparently, I was the last person to realize that I liked Mehul.

I spent the next hour avoiding him.

Which was difficult, considering we worked in the same office.

But that didn't stop me from:

 Choosing the busiest area to work in.

 Keeping my head down like a guilty criminal.

 Silently regretting every life choice that led me here.

Unfortunately, Mehul wasn't letting it slide.

Because an hour later—he found me.

I had just stepped into the empty conference room to take a break when—

The door closed behind me.

I turned.

And there he was.

Leaning against the doorframe. Arms crossed. Expression unreadable.

And watching me.

I swallowed. "What?"

Mehul tilted his head. "You're avoiding me."

I scoffed. "What? No. I've just been… busy."

Mehul raised an eyebrow.

I immediately looked away.

God. This was so embarrassing.

Mehul sighed, pushing off the door.

And then—he walked toward me.

Slow. Steady.

Too close.

I stepped back instinctively.

Only to realize—I was now trapped against the table.

I inhaled sharply. Oh.

And then—he spoke.

"You're overthinking again," Mehul said.

I froze.

Because he wasn't wrong.

But before I could even think of a response—

Mehul reached forward.

And brushed his fingers against my wrist.

Soft. Careful. Intentional.

The exact same way he had done before.

Only this time—I couldn't ignore it.

My pulse spiked.

Mehul exhaled, like he was holding back a laugh.

And then—just to completely end me—

He said, "You think you were the only one?"

My heart stopped.

I blinked. "What?"

He hummed. "You're acting like this is one-sided."

I forgot how to breathe.

Because no.

That wasn't—No.

But Mehul just looked at me, completely steady, completely serious.

"I like you too, Vihaan."

My brain crashed.

The words echoed in my head.

Over and over and over again.

Until I couldn't think about anything else.

He likes me too.

I gripped the edge of the table, trying to ground myself. "You—You do?"

Mehul sighed, shaking his head slightly. "I was waiting for you to catch up."

I stared.

Because what the hell.

All this time—he had been waiting?

And I was the idiot who took forever to realize it?

I exhaled, dragging a hand down my face.

"Oh my god. I hate this."

Mehul chuckled. "No, you don't."

And the worst part?

He was right.