Chapter 46

The store was small, cozy, quiet.

Shelves stacked high with old and new books.

The air smelled like paper, coffee, and nostalgia.

It was the kind of place that felt like a secret.

And Mehul?

He had brought me here.

For me.

I swallowed hard. What the hell was happening?

I tried to play it cool.

Really, I did.

But the second I walked in, I was already scanning the shelves, eyes drawn to the fiction section.

I barely realized I was gravitating toward it until—

"You're easy to read."

I froze.

Slowly turned to face Mehul, who was leaning against the opposite shelf, watching me.

I scowled. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He hummed. "You didn't even hesitate. Went straight for the books you like."

I blinked.

Because… he was right.

I hadn't hesitated.

Not because I wasn't thinking.

But because, with Mehul, I never needed to.

I cleared my throat, pretending that realization didn't ruin me.

"Well. Maybe you're just a good observer."

Mehul smirked. "Maybe."

…Oh my god.

It got worse.

Because then, Mehul did something completely unfair.

He picked up a book from the shelf.

Flipped through it.

Then—handed it to me.

I blinked. "What?"

Mehul raised an eyebrow. "You'll like this one."

I stared at the cover.

He was right.

It was exactly my type of book.

I glanced at him, suspicious. "How do you know?"

Mehul met my gaze. Calm. Unbothered.

Then—just to completely wreck me—

He said, "I pay attention."

…I was gone.

Brain? Gone.

Heartbeat? Ruined.

Sanity? Non-existent.

I swallowed hard. "That's—"

Mehul tilted his head slightly. "Hmm?"

I cleared my throat. "That's weirdly thoughtful of you."

He smirked. "I know."

…I did not hate him.

Eventually, I found a second book I liked.

We walked to the counter.

I reached for my wallet—only for Mehul to hand the cashier his card first.

I stared.

Then immediately panicked. "Wait—Mehul, you don't have to—"

He glanced at me. Completely unfazed.

"I know."

Then he paid anyway.

…WHAT.

I stood there, frozen.

Because what was I supposed to do with that?

This wasn't just teasing.

This wasn't just flirting.

This was him, taking care of me.

Without hesitation. Without even thinking.

Like it was natural.

Like I mattered.

I swallowed. "I owe you."

Mehul hummed. "You can pay me back later."

I frowned. "How?"

He glanced at me. Smirked.

"You'll see."

…Oh my god.