Page 66 of Protect my Heart

“You’re welcome.” She beams, then frowns. “Wait. That wasn’t a compliment, was it?”

“Nope.”

She shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. I missed your face.”

I bite back a smile. She’s too cute when she’s like this. Wild and unfiltered and saying everything she’s too stubborn to admit when sober. I think I am glad she doesn't know the difference between thandaai and bhaang.

She squints at me. “You’re still clean!”

“Was trying to stay that way.” I smile.

“Nooope.” She grabs a packet of pink gulal kept on the counter like she’s going to war. “Not anymore.”

She smiles sheepishly as she throws some color on me, and I let her. She smears it across my cheeks, my jaw, and even my neck. Her fingers linger, making my heart race. She giggles like she’s accomplished something major.

“There,” she says proudly. “Now you look less… serious.”

“That’s your goal today? Make me look less serious?” I narrow my eyes at her.

“That and… maybe do some thumkas.” She pouts; her lips look so kissable right now. God, she might be the death of me.

“Not happening.” I mutter, trying hard to keep my hands to myself.

“Coward.”

“You’ll survive.” I feign a smile.

She looks me up and down, wobbly on her feet but clearly plotting something. “Color me,” she says suddenly, handing me a packet.

I blink at the directness. “You sure?”

“Yes!” she throws her hands up. “It’s Holi! You’re my—” She stops. Tilts her head. “—my… roommate.”

“Wow.” I raise my eyebrows and chuckle, "Interesting choice of words."

“What? I forgot the word!” She exclaims and stomps her foot like a child and sways again.

“You mean husband?” A small smile forms on my lips.

She points a finger. “That! Yes. That thing.”

I chuckle. “Nice to know it means so much to you.”

“Oh, shut up and color me.” She rolls her eyes.

So I do. I let my fingers brush across her cheeks, soft and slow. I press some color to her nose. Her forehead. She stills. Our eyes lock. There’s a moment—brief, fragile—where the noise around us fades and it’s just her and me. Like time itself has paused to watch us.

She blinks up at me and breaks the silence. “Are you going to kiss me again?” she whispers.

I don't hide it, “Thinking about it.” I nod.

She gasps, scandalized. “Shameless!”

“You kissed me back.” I state.

“No proof.” She smiles smugly and crosses her arms over her chest.

“I remember the taste of your lips, darling.” I chuckle.