Page 62 of Every Move You Make
Dheer raised a brow, unimpressed. “Are you convincing us or yourself?”
“Definitely himself,” Vir snorted.
Akash shot them both a look. “I’m serious.”
“Dead serious abouther. I know that,” Vir said, grinning as he stood. “And that’s what’s worrying me. Nonetheless, I’m going to thoroughly enjoy your arranged contract arrangement with Shauna Sehgal. It’s going to be entertaining as hell.”
Akash narrowed his eyes. “Do you know how fucking annoying you are?”
“It’s my job as your best friend to keep you on your toes, buddy,” Vir said. “It’s not my fault you’re running from the truth.”
“I am not,” Akash protested.
“You so are.”
“Fucker.”
“Asshole.”
“Bloody hell,” Dheer cursed. “You both still fight like kids.”
Amara laughed. “On that note, it’s time to leave.”
They made their way out of the bar together. Near the entrance, Dheer and Vir were intercepted by an acquaintance and pulled into conversation with him. Akash gave them a quick wave and walked ahead with Amara.
She slowed, then stopped. He turned to face her.
“Are you sure about marrying her?” she asked quietly.
“Yes,” he said without hesitation.
The certainty surprised even him. Marrying Shauna was right. He knew that in his bones.
Amara studied him for a moment, then sighed. “I don’t want you to get hurt. And somehow, I know she has the power to hurt you.”
He smiled, reached out, and cupped her cheek. Then he kissed her forehead. “Thank you for caring.”
She hugged him tightly. “Just… be careful, okay?”
Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and groaned. “It’s work. I need to get to the studio. Something’s come up. I’ll text my brothers that I left.”
Akash watched her leave, his smile lingering. As he turned to look for Dheer and Vir, sudden awareness prickled along his nape. He slowly turned again. And found Shauna standing at the side of the entrance.
Her eyes burned into his, fury flashing hot and unmistakable in their brown depths. He replayed the last few moments with Amara and realized, with sinking clarity, how they must have looked to her.
He shut his eyes. Bloody hell.
This just got a whole lot more complicated.
17
Oh God.
Shauna stood to the side, watching Akash hug another woman. The woman’s back was to her, so she couldn’t see her face. But even standing afar, she couldn’t deny the affection Akash shared with her.
Her stomach dropped. The ache that rose in her chest was sharp and familiar. Every time she thought about giving him a chance, he ruined it. Hadn’t the past taught her anything? Back then too, she’d hoped something more would happen between them. And then he had started dating another woman, and she’d realized far too late that she hadn’t mattered to him at all.
And now he wanted to marry her.
