Page 96 of Every Move You Make
“How are you doing?” Dheer asked, worry etched across his face.
“To be honest, it’s all a bit much,” Akash admitted, feeling the tension surge through him again. “Meeting him like that was unexpected, and I’m feeling drained.”
“Let’s hope he stays away from now on,” Vir said, his eyes narrowing faintly. “You don’t need him complicating things again.”
“I’m glad you’ve increased the security around yourself and Keya,” Rohan added.
Akash nodded, glad to have the opportunity to catch up with them. Between the chaos of work, his father’s return, and everything else going on in his life, it felt good to just sit there, unwind, and be with his friends.
“So tell us honestly,” Nirvaan said, changing the subject. “How do you really feel about the engagement? I mean, I was there when you and Shauna announced it to the family. But I don’t believe for one second that it’s all about the business.”
Akash leaned back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Well, it started that way, but somewhere along the way, it’s begun to feel more. Like I’m standing on the brink of something special.”
“I suppose all that unresolved chemistry finally found an outlet in Singapore,” Rohan said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I believe that may have helped your situation now.”
Akash blinked, caught off guard. Then he exhaled, shaking his head as a reluctant smile broke through.
“Why am I even surprised?” Akash muttered. “Of course, the girls told you everything.”
“Which you never did,” Nirvaan pointed out dryly, raising a brow.
“What happened in Singapore?” Armaan asked. “And why do I not know about it?”
“You’re not the only one,” Dheer added with a frown. His gaze shifted to Vir.
Vir immediately took a large sip of his drink.
Dheer’s eyes narrowed slightly. He pointed a finger at him. “You know, don’t you?”
Vir didn’t even bother denying it this time, a slow grin spreading across his face. “I might.”
“Fuck,” Nirvaan swore.
Before the others could press further, Akash cut in. “Look, the only reason he knows is because he called me that morning in Singapore. I… wasn’t in the best headspace, and I told him everything.”
Armaan’s gaze sharpened. “Told him what?”
Akash exhaled, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.
“About Shauna,” he said simply. “About what happened between us that night.”
“You slept with her?” Dheer asked, looking shocked.
“Blyad,” Armaan cursed in Russian, the equivalent offuck.
“He so did,” Vir replied, grinning.
Akash glared at him. But the others were all looking at him, so he continued, “It was hard for me to confide in all of you. I mean, I couldn’t believe for the longest time that she and I… that we’d…” He shook his head, looking at Nirvaan and Rohan. “And later, when neither of you spoke about it, I was certain Shauna hadn’t told your girls, which meant I couldn’t tell you both either.”
He addressed Dheer and Armaan. “And as for the two of you, I just couldn’t process it in my own head enough to tell anyone else about it.”
They both gave him an understanding nod each.
“But all’s well now, right?” Rohan asked, studying him carefully.
Rohan had been his first mentor after Janak, and because of that, he was always a little protective of him. Akash genuinely appreciated that about him.
“It’s all good,” Akash said, shaking his head lightly. “But right now, please don’t press me for details. Shauna and I… we’re still figuring things out.” His tone softened. “After years of tension, this… whatever this is… finally feels right. I don’t want to rush it. I just want to let it grow. Figure it out with her first.”
