Page 74 of Always With You

“How are you doing, Beautiful?” He taps the tip of her nose.

“God! I am so happy that you are finally here.” She squeaks and hugs him.

Why the hell is this guy giving me negative vibes? Something about him does look suspicious, though I can’t exactly say what. Yet, seeing Rewa’s smile, I hate to voice out my concern. At the moment, I must remain calm.

“Um, hi, I am Alisha, and you must be?” I ask curiously.

“Jai Mehta,” he introduces himself.

“It’s nice to meet you, Jai.”

He nods with a smile. “Likewise.”

“My friend can’t seem to stop talking about you. You left quite an impression on her in the first meeting.”

His eyes bounce between us, and then he sends a wink my way. “I take it as your friend is smitten by me.”

“No…” counters Rewa quickly.

“Yes,” I say at the same time as her. She kicks me under the table, making me grip my leg. “Ouch! What is that for?”

Rewa wrinkles her nose and stares at me, which says I need to zip my mouth shut. I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to laugh.

“I think she doesn’t want me to know that she is into me so that I make a run for her. Am I right?” He smirks.

“No, I don’t fall for someone I hardly know,” Rewa informs him as she lifts her chin in defiance.

“But….” I stop talking when she kicks me again.

“I don’t know about your friend, but I surely like her and would love to get to know her better. I don’t doubt that we will make a rocking couple. It won’t be long before we tie the knot,” Jai says, his chest puffed up.

Rewa’s eyes go wide. She looks confused. That would make two of us. Sure, Rewa did mention that they are attracted to one another, but marriage at the first go? I was not expecting that.

“Do you mean to say…” I’m cut off again before I can dig for some details of what’s going on here.

“I love your friend and would wish to do all the marriage and babies’ stuff with her.” He stretches his arm across the back of the booth. Rewa freezes.

“Rewa?” I wait for an explanation.

“I... we... I’m...” Rewa stammers. I think these two need some time alone to sort this out.

He is also clearly into Rewa, and she wants him just as badly.

“I think I need to head back to the boutique.” I scoot towards the end of the bench.

“Wait, I will also come with you,” Rewa offers, but even to me, her words sound weak.

I shake my head.

“You don’t need to. Take the day off.” I give her a look, letting her know she better call me and tell me what’s going on. She seems to have got the message as she gives a slight nod.

With that, I make my exit. Something in the back of my mind tells me Jai is not the person he is showing to be, but then I shake off the thought. They both look adorable, head over heels in love. He was staring at her like she is a shimmering jewel. It makes me realise I must be over thinking. Maybe it’s all a false alarm and nothing else.

Chapter 33

Ranveer

I roll over and reach out to pull Alisha in my arms, but the bed is empty. In a flash, I sit up, turning on the light as I glance at the wall clock. It’s past midnight. ‘Where did she go at this hour?’ I ask myself as I pull up my track pants. I first check the washroom, but she isn’t there, so I walk down the stairs to find her. I have an unsettling feeling that something seems to be off with her. Throughout the evening, she had a spaced out look on her face. I did try digging into the matter, but she brushed me off, saying that it’s nothing. Not wanting to push her, I let the matter rest, hoping she would confide in me about it once she is comfortable, or I would be left with no option but to find the truth my way. Either way, I will make sure all her worries vanish. She doesn’t have to go through anything alone, since she has me. I will always keep taking care of her and looking out for her.

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