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Shaurya let out a mock-serious groan, shaking his head. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or furious.”

Her jaw dropped.

Varun burst into laughter, while Shaurya marched back into his villa, shaking his head in disbelief.

Nandini glared after him, crossing her arms. “Insufferable man.”

Varun chuckled, throwing her a wink. “I think he likes you.”

And before she could throw something at him, Varun waved her goodbye and followed Shaurya inside the villa.

Nandini stood there, arms still folded, her heart hammering in her chest.

Did his friend just tell her that Mr. Grumpy ‘Shaurya Ahuja’ liked her?

What the hell!

That can’t be true. Not even remotely.

CHAPTER 5

Shaurya’s Villa

The moment Shaurya Ahuja stepped into his villa, he turned around to face his so-called best friend, arms crossed and his gaze laser-sharp.

“What was that?” he demanded.

Varun, who had been leisurely strolling in like he owned the place, blinked innocently. “What was what?”

Shaurya’s patience, already thin after his disastrous encounter with Nandini in the garden, was dangerously close to snapping.

“You told her I like her?” he asked, his voice edgy and defensive, as though he couldn’t believe what his friend had blurted.

Varun tilted his head as if considering the question. Then he shrugged. “Oh, that.” He tapped his chin. “Well… don’t you?”

Shaurya exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Stop spreading nonsense, Varun.”

Varun grinned, clearly enjoying the rare sight of Shaurya being caught off-guard. “Well, it’s not nonsense if it’s already gossip.”

Shaurya’s gaze snapped to his friend, suspicion flickering across his face. “Gossip?”

“Oh yeah,” Varun said, sauntering toward the bar and reaching for a bottle of whiskey. “Apparently, Serene Meadows has been buzzing with talk about you and some mystery woman who was spotted entering your home at midnight on Christmas.”

Shaurya stiffened. His fingers curled into a fist at his side as the memory of that woman zipped through his mind. “People need to mind their own damn business.”

Varun chuckled, pouring himself a drink. “Oh, please. Serene Meadows has always been like this. You know, small-town romance book vibes? Nothing stays secret here. If two people so much as look at each other for longer than five seconds, the entire community already has them married with three kids by sunrise.” He lifted the glass toward Shaurya. “So, tell me, who’s the mystery woman?”

Before Varun could take a sip, Shaurya swiftly snatched the bottle from his hand, capped it, and set it aside.

“Meera,” he called out, turning towards the hallway.

His housekeeper appeared promptly. “Yes, sir?”

“Two strong coffees, please. For me and Varun.”

Varun let out a dramatic sigh as Meera nodded and disappeared into the kitchen.

“Coffee?” he groaned. “I can drink coffee, sure, but I am allowed one little peg, right?”