“Yes, you’re home.”
The jangle of keys brought his attention back to her.
“Thanks for driving me,” he said, reluctantly accepting the keys from her outstretched hands.
“How’s your headache?” she asked, tilting her head. Her gaze flickered over his face, trying to gauge his condition.
“Good, it’s. . . It’s gone. I’m groggy, but not in pain.”
“That’s good,” she replied, rocking on her feet as she ran out of questions to ask. “I’ll see you at work in a couple days. Have a good weekend.”
“Right.”
Neither moved away, both experiencing an awkwardness that was alien to them. Vera reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ears, chewing slightly on the inside of her cheek.
“If you have any thoughts about the scenes we shot today, let me know. Your. . . umm. . . sterling leadership definitely helped.”
He snorted. “No, it didn’t. You knew what you were doing already. Why are you bullshitting me?”
Right on cue, she rolled her eyes, all awkwardness petering out as sass made a speedy return.
“I was trying to be nice. Clearly, you’re a lost cause.”
His heartfelt sigh had her peering at him in curiosity.
“I didn’t have to come today, you know?” he admitted. “But I didn’t want to wait three days before seeing you again.”
“Vi—”
“Hear me out. I don’t want you to quit.”
She reared back in surprise.
“I only say that because it’s fun to piss you off. Truthfully, you’re good at what you do.” He curled his lower lip in, as though unhappy with his declaration. “Fuck, you’re better than good,” he corrected immediately. “Ethos is lucky to have you.”
If she looked as gobsmacked as she felt, he didn’t notice.
“T-thank you. You’re. . . an excellent leader. It is clear your business sense and industry knowledge are sound.”
Vihaan's bashful smile at her response sent a familiar jolt of fondness simmering through her, his reaction reminding her of the times he’d eagerly wait for her approval regarding his test scores. Any praise from her had always left him beaming and it was no differenteven now. Which made her add— “Everyone I know looks up to you at Ethos.”
“Including you?” he asked softly.
Her heart clenched. She could lie. She could insult him. She could choose to maintain the distance between them that kept getting erased with every conversation. But his vulnerability demanded hers in return and she gave in.
“Including me.”
His grin brightened.
“What I’ll tell you now is not as yourveryimpressive boss,” he teased, making her roll her eyes. “This is just Vihaan, speaking with Vera. I will never cross over this line again if you tell me to stop.”
“Stop what?” she asked, confused.
“Wanting you.”
A curiously pleasant sensation settled over her, like the slow spread of warm tingles after consuming potent alcohol. Her muscles began to relax, a welcome sort of fog descending upon that ever-niggling part of her brain which forced her to keep her shields activated.
She observed his handsome face light up with earnestness, his sincerity disarming her. Perhaps it was the time of the night, maybe it was that he’d caught her by surprise, but Vera found it impossible to dislike him then.