Page 75 of No Boss
The word sat wrong in his mind.
Movement at the backside of Meera’s home drew his gaze. Meera stepped out. Then him.
They walked side by side through the narrow passage that opened into the courtyard behind her home. Close enough that the space between them felt… lesser with every step.
Abhinav leaned back in his chair, slow, controlled, as if the angle might change the sight.
It didn’t.
The man walked beside her as though he belonged there.
His jaw tightened.
Meera wore a sky-blue kurta. Silver work caught the light with each step. Not her usual style. This had been chosen. Her hair lay in a neat braid over her shoulder, each strand in place.
She had taken time. For this. For him.
Abhinav’s gaze passed over her once, taking in every detail, before returning to the man.
He spoke. Meera laughed.
Not the polite curve she offered when she was around him. This was open, unfiltered. Her head tipped back a little, her face changing with it.
That sound always pulled him like gravity.
Now, she was giving it to someone else.
His fingers pressed into his thigh under the table.
Lakshya leaned closer as he spoke, ease settling into his posture, as though the situation was unfolding exactly as he had expected. Their shoulders nearly brushed.
Abhinav’s grip tightened around the teacup in his hand.
Crack!
He looked down. A thin line ran along the rim. Tea seeped onto his hand. He placed the cup down with care, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Across from him, Sarita and Naina watched the pair with open interest.
“They look comfortable together already,” Sarita observed.
Abhinav did not respond.
He watched Meera gesture toward the temple alcove, explaining. Lakshya listened with full attention, his body angled toward her as though nothing else mattered.
Of course he was interested.
Anyone would be.
“Naina, ask someone to bring Devendra ji here.”
Naina caught the intent at once. A word to a passing servant, and Devendra arrived within minutes, bowing. “Thakurain Sa, you called for me?”
“Yes. Bring the young man and his family over to meet us.”
“At once.”
As Devendra left, Abhinav’s gaze returned to them.
