Page 82 of Cherish my Heart

“Don’t avoid the question.”

She sighs dramatically. “Fine. I’m free. Unless you give me a presentation to finish by 9pm.”

“I won’t,” I say, letting the smile tug at my lips. “Maybe.”

She groans. “Abhimaan.”

I laugh again. “Okay, okay. I won’t. Tomorrow evening. You, me, and something better than paperwork.”

She looks at me, her smile warmer now. “And more flowers?”

I pretend to think about it. “Hmm… depends on how much you whine tomorrow.”

She elbows me lightly. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re late on three email replies,” I shoot back.

She gasps. “You’re literally the worst.”

But she’s laughing now. Genuinely. Her eyes crinkle, and her cheeks are flushed, and I want to kiss her so bad it actually aches.

But I don’t. I can’t, especially while I am driving. Because Aditi deserves all my focus, and if driving takes even 1% away from her, it would be unfair.

She leans back into her seat again, flowers in her lap, a small smile on her lips. I know she’s going to recheck her emails in five minutes. I know she’ll work late tonight even if I tell her not to. I know she’s driven by something deep, something that keeps her going even when she’s tired and stretched too thin.

And I know that, for some reason I can’t explain, I want to be part of that reason.

Even if it’s just through roadside flowers and packed lunch boxes.

Even if she never says it out loud. I want my girlfriend,MYgirlfriend,to get everything she wants, because she deserves the best.

She glances at me again as we near the turn for her apartment. “Thanks, by the way.”

“For what?”

She shrugs. “The flowers. The rajma chawal. The yelling. The everything.”

I don’t say anything.

Just reach out, grab the back of her hand, and squeeze once. The rest of the ride is quiet. Comfortable, for the most part. Her head eventually leans against the window, the bouquet still inher lap, her fingers gently fiddling with a ring I wear on the index finger. I don’t think she’s ever looked more peaceful.

When we finally pull into her building’s underground parking, she stretches, then makes a face.

“I’m too tired to move,” she says, grabbing her laptop bag and the bouquet.

I turn off the ignition. “I’ll walk you to the elevator.”

“You could come up.”

I shake my head. “You need rest. I should go.”

She pouts. Literally pouts, and I swear I almost cave right there.

“Who’s going to carry this bag if I’m carrying the bouquet?” she says, fluttering her lashes with exaggerated effort. “You exhausted me today, Abhimaan.” Her eyes widen, and she giggles. “I should really get my mind out of the gutter.” A flush spreads across her cheeks. “I am so shameless.”

I laugh. I can’t help it.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say no to this woman,” I mutter under my breath as I get out.