Page 112 of Cherish my Heart

“You’re in a weird mood today.”

I pause. “I’m trying not to be.”

She gives me a look. “Don’t.”

I nod. No words needed.

The truth is, I don’t know what’s happening to me. But I know she’s the reason I want to figure it out. I wrap my arms around her again and lie back against the headboard.

Maybe this is what peace feels like. Messy, sugar-coated, heart-thumping peace. And if she’s the one who broke me…Then maybe I don’t want to be fixed.

CHAPTER 54

ADITI

The clack of my keyboard is the only sound in the room, rhythmic and steady, a weird contrast to the storm that’s spinning inside my chest.

The storm of his words.

“I can handle myself. I’m just not sure if my heart can handle your absence.”

I had laughed when he said that this morning—shaking my head, tossing a pen at his chest, and telling him to leave before I actually lost it and kissed him again right there in the middle of the office. He had caught the pen mid-air, smirked like the devil himself, and walked out with all the arrogance of a man who knew exactly what he was doing to me.

And now, here I am.

Sitting at my desk like a lovestruck idiot, grinning at my laptop screen like it just confessed it loved me too.

I sigh, dragging my fingers through my hair and forcing myself to focus. I’m not even supposed to be this giddy. I told him to go alone for the Sharma & Co. meeting today because I needed to prepare for next week’s presentation—the big one. The one we’ve been building toward for months.

But all my concentration? Left with him.

I lean back in my chair, pressing my palm over my heart, trying to calm it down. It’s ridiculous. I mean, how can one man turn my entire system upside down with one stupidly romantic line? I should be used to him by now. To his presence. To the way he looks at me like I’m the answer to a question he never dared to ask.

But I’m not used to him. I don’t think I ever will be.

A giggle escapes me, loud and unexpected.

Oh god. What is wrong with me?

I’m literally giggling. Like a teenager with a high school crush. At work. While he’s not even here.

I shake my head at myself, trying to shove my face back into the laptop, but a voice breaks through the stillness, startling me.

“Are you in love?”

I shriek, jumping in my seat and nearly knocking over my coffee. My eyes snap up—and I see him.

Harsh.

He’s standing there, arms folded, a knowing smile on his face.

“Harsh!” I press a hand over my chest. “Are you trying to kill me?”

He chuckles, unbothered by my glare, stepping into the room like he owns it.

“I asked a question.”

I roll my eyes but can feel the heat rushing to my cheeks. “Maybe.”