The morning sun appeared on the horizon, its golden rays bathing the tranquil sea in their hues. Torn clouds scattered around, welcoming a new day.

New day, same drill.

Or not.

Definitely not for the man who was already wide awake, even though he hadn't gotten much sleep in the first place. Not even the fleeting thought of it had occurred to him and rightfully so.

He sighed, as his eyes swept across her face, taking in every detail once again. He was gawking like a creep, that's what she'd tell him when she woke up but her insults were the least of his worries.

A stray lock of hair fell on her cheek. He flicked it away from his view with gentle fingers. Her brows scrunched in her sleep at the intrusion. He chuckled softly, his fingers caressing the softness of her cheek.

Yeah, only a fool would be dense enough to care for something as trivial as sleep when he was blessed with this first thing in the morning.

As if sensing his unabashed perusal, she slowly opened her eyes and scowled at him through the haze of grogginess.

"Good morning."

Aahil grinned, his fingers traveling down from her face to her neck. She huffed, looking behind him. The first few rays of the sun filtered through the closed curtains.

"It's ass'O clock." She sounded offended but his focus had already shifted.

God, she was a vision and he was, once again, a goner.

Lucky bastard. His inner voice cackled. He took in the visible and subtle signs of what had happened last night. And there were plenty.

Sila pursed her lips, no longer oblivious to what his gaze meant. Now that she was wide awake, she could also spot signs of her own.

Aahil raised an eyebrow, the barely concealed amusement made Sila huff in annoyance.

"You woke me up to show me how obnoxious you're?"

"At least you were asleep. I can't even say that."

She narrowed her eyes. "So, that's my fault?"

He bobbed his head, shifting so he could hover over her. "Yep. Your fault. All of it." He buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"Didn't hear you complaining last night." She reminded him.

He chuckled, the reverberation tingled her skin. She held him by his shoulder to regulate her own haywire system. This man was a threat to her sanity, in more than one way.

Every way.

"I didn't get the time for that." He mumbled busily.

"I wonder why."

At that, he raised his head and looked her right in the eye. Sila held his gaze, her hands slowly wound around his neck. There was no hesitation. She held him as if she had all the rights in the world. Sure hands, deliberate touch, and the known warmth.

And that was his undoing. As always. The surety with which she'd come to him, hold him, and give herself to him and expect for him to do the same.

Once again, a goner. This was more than physical intimacy. Yeah, the sex was good. Between them, it was off the charts but he couldn't see it as just that, just the physical aspect of it.

It was more.

More was new. More was exhilarating. More was confusing as well. A bit scared, a bit anxious but...more with her wouldn't be bad. Not at all.

In fact, more was reserved only for her.

He bent his head and took his time kissing her face. Slow kisses, starting from her mouth, lingering, and ending on her forehead.

"Five more minutes?" He asked, tucking her close.

She nodded, planting a kiss on his collarbone. "Five more minutes. You too, sleep."

She patted his arm and he held her hand as he kissed her knuckles. Sleep didn't look that trivial anymore, as she caressed his face and his eyes fluttered closed.

𝄞

Even though life had turned into somewhat of a fairy tale, Alina couldn't help but notice that dating Osama now was very different from dating him in high school. That phase of life was behind them and so were the shortcomings both of them fiercely held onto. That was the upside. But they were no longer teenagers, whose utmost worry was study schedules and stealing a date or two out of extracurriculars. Both of them had full-time jobs, careers they had worked hard for.

If they had stayed in that relationship, the transition would have been a smooth one, taking everything as it came but sadly, that was not the case. So, here they were now, trying to look back at that time with nothing but nostalgic smiles, all the while giving each other the support they couldn't back in the day.

But some things did remain the same, much to their relief. The tenacity of their love was on top of that list. It was determined to mould itself into the shape Osama and Alina's lives had taken, and so far, it was pretty successful in that endeavor.

Another thing? The persistent character of their parents. Where Osama's were as supportive as ever, Alina's were also ecstatic, for different reasons.

Somewhere, things hadn't changed much, it seemed.

But this Alina was wise and no longer letting her parents take the joy out of her life. She kept them at bay. Amir didn't mind it much. The same wasn't true for Mahvish who couldn't swallow the bitter taste of not being able to pass her judgments on Alina's decisions. She tried to insert herself into Alina's life that way but Alina thwarted all her attempts without being disrespectful. Setting boundaries was liberating, Alina had long learned that lesson.

By definition, Osama was the blessed one when it came to parents, so, finding his mother at her doorstep shouldn't have made Alina as nervous as it did but there she was, sitting before a calm and welcoming Zeb even though, she was the guest and Alina was the ball of nerves host.

Zeb took a sip of the tea, all the while looking around appreciatively. It was the first time she was at Alina's place in all these years. And by the looks of it, she was impressed with what Alina had going for her.

Alina clasped her hands as Zeb's eyes settled on her. She sighed. "I'm not supposed to be this nervous."

Zeb chuckled. Osama had gotten his smile from his mother but whilst his was reserved and contained for the most part, Zeb had no such restrictions. Maybe that was the reason his mother was a people's person and Osama wasn't.

"You really shouldn't be, Alina. It's just me, Auntie Zeb. What's there to be nervous about?"

For emphasis, she shifted closer and patted Alina's hand reassuringly. The gesture immediately put Alina at ease.

The fact that I'm dating your son, again. Alina didn't voice it but it showed on her face. It was also plausible that Zeb was here just to check up on her. Zeb was the kind of person who'd do that but the smidge of agitation stayed there with Alina. Osama had reassured her and she could see it for herself as well but still, she was also the person who had hurt Osama and as a mother, if Zeb was even slightly miffed about them being together, Alina couldn't fault her.

"Osama must've told you that I'm very happy with the way things are progressing between you two but I wanted to do that in person as well and seeing you right now, I think it was the right call to make."

Alina took a sharp breath, trying her best to appear nonchalant but in her heart, she was still not at peace. Zeb's say meant a lot to her. Not just as Osama's mother but also, as one of those elders Alina wanted to be when she reached her age.

"I know you thought that I was Osama and Rimsha's biggest cheerleader." Zeb started but Alina shook her head.

"No, Auntie. You really don't have to explain that again. Every parent will want the best for their child and you did just that."

"But to me, you're my child as well," Zeb said softly.

Alina felt a ball of tears lodged in her throat. "And you have no idea how grateful I am for that. Have always been."

She rolled a loose thread of her shirt between her fingers. The comfortable silence between them stretched. Zeb figured Alina wanted to say more but was probably gathering her courage for that. After what seemed like an eternity, Alina looked up at Zeb. "I was there when you came to meet my mother."

Zeb's eyes widened. Alina nodded, confirming it. "I was hiding behind the window, eavesdropping, by habit."

The evening from years back came swirling before both of them, only now Zeb knew that was not a conversation just between her and Mahvish. Alina was also privy to it.

"It had been a few days since I broke your favorite vase while chasing the boys in your living room. I didn't know what your reaction would be so I started bawling. Like snot and tears bawling. I still remember how shocked the three of them were by my meltdown."

Her attempt to light the weight of the memory was futile. The heaviness in her chest grew some more.

"Only when you got to know, you didn't go ballistic on me. You didn't shout. Didn't even look angry. The vase was from your vintage collection, a gift from the Cowasjees. I deserved a bit of disappointment, at the least. But you didn't even show me that. Instead, you gave me the biggest slice of almond cake that day. The boys didn't make fun of me, even though they wanted to, because they were sure you'd whack their asses if they did."

Alina laughed through her tears but then her face contorted into an expression of distant agony once again. "That day, both of us realized some things. I finally got to know that when I made mistakes, it was not normal for every adult to shout at me and tell me what a disappointment I was. On the other hand, you realized, I didn't have good adults around me."

The thread tumbled through her fingers and Alina let it drop to the floor.

"You were concerned for me after that. I noticed it. You were trying to put the pieces together and slowly, you did. That day, when I saw you in my parents' house, I was sure you came to tell my mother to keep me away from Osama. That I was an emotionally unstable weirdo and your son could've done better without me. It would've been fair, seeing how dependent I was on him, emotionally. He was just a boy, the same age as me. He didn't need to concern himself with something my own parents never tried to do, even though it was their duty. But."

She paused. Zeb had remained silent throughout Alina's retelling of the past events. She wanted Alina to talk. To bare her heart in front of an elder who'd listen. She hadn't been granted that privilege much in her life.

"But you weren't there to fight for Osama. You were there to fight for me. You weren't there to destroy what we shared. You were there to try to make my mother see what she'd shattered over the past so many years."

Alina realized she was again crying the same way she had that day when she broke Zeb's favorite vase. That little girl was still there.

"You stood up for me, Auntie Zeb. You showed my mother the lapses in her parenting. You tried to make her understand that her and my father's patterns had destroyed the normalcy in my life. That I deserved better than what they dished out to me. She asked you to leave and accused you of interfering in our personal matters and eventually, you had to oblige, seeing there was just so much you could do. But that was the first time I realized what it feels like when a mother or someone close to that is protective of you. You were not my mother but at that moment, for me, you were more a mother to me than the woman who was shouting obscenities at you for going out of line, and the irony was, she was my mother, not you."

It was she who reached for Zeb's hand this time. "Thank you for doing that. You didn't have to but still, you did. And I'm telling you, I'm no longer that girl. I will not break your son's heart this time around."

"Oh, you're still that girl, Alina." Zeb's teary smile was both sad and proud. "Stronger, more resilient, still a fighter, and still possessing the same heart. I'm glad that you're the same girl my son loves and who loves him with everything she has in her."

It wasn't easy for Zeb's composure to crumble. But tears fell down her cheeks as well.

"The people who're right for each other have a way of staying true to that. I was obviously sad when you two parted ways. It was your decision and we had to accept it. But now when I look at you two, I feel nothing but pride. You found each other on the same road but after overcoming your shortcomings. The way forward from here on is together and very beautiful, that I'm certain of. And you will find both me and Mikaal, cheering you on, rooting for you and Osama, and there for you whenever you two need us. That's what parents are for and trust me there's no way else I'd rather be."

With that, she hugged Alina sideways and Alina was already looking forward to the warm embrace.

"You did good, child," Zeb said softly. It could mean the house, it could mean her life, and it could also mean herself.

But knowing Zeb, it meant all three. Everything. And even though Alina already acknowledged it wholeheartedly, it felt nice, coming from someone she thought so highly of. Who was kind of her hero.

After all, she was still that girl in this regard. Zeb was rather apt in her assessment.

𝄞

"Laid or not, you're an awful driver."

Her comments made him grumble under his breath eliciting a snort out of her. She turned back to check herself to make sure her makeup was on point.

"Can you cooperate and stick to being a passenger princess?"

Sila shrugged. "If we weren't more than fashionably late, I'd show you who is the real boss here but later. This," She pointed toward her bag and took her lip color out of it. "Is more important."

"Is that the cherry one?"

"Uh-huh."

He drummed his fingers on the steering waiting for the traffic to move. A slow smirk appeared on his face.

Sila narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare imply that I've put this on for you. It just looks good on me."

"I never said it doesn't. It tastes even better on you. That's all."

A groan left Sila's mouth which morphed into an exasperated laugh. "Get your head out of it, Aahil. You're not even trying to be subtle."

"Why the hell would I do that?" It was his turn to act exasperated. She must be out of her mind to suggest this when she was all he had on his mind. Priorities.

She patted his arm. "I get it. We had a good time but try to keep it in check, hun? If my husband gets to know—"

He didn't miss a beat. "Screw your husband."

Sila couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, that I already did. Don't you worry."

She tucked her hair behind her ear as she zipped her bag. And for the first time, Aahil felt grateful for Karachi's traffic. Having his attention divided—scratch that, solely on his wife while driving would consolidate her claim that he was, after all, an awful driver.

"Do I look presentable enough?"

He scowled at her. "Don't ask stupid questions. You always look more than presentable."

Sila gave him a slow clap. "Such a good lad. You just earned yourself more good time."

"That was the intention." Saying that he playfully moved to her side. Sila shoved him back on his seat. "I never said that the good time would commence right away."

"Should have made it explicitly clear." He sounded disappointed but the glint in his eyes was hard to miss. He was messing with her and she couldn't say she was offended. If anything, she felt lighter than ever.

The traffic finally moved, much to Sila's relief. "About time! I can't afford to be late more than I already am. All thanks to—"

"Your husband who woke your ass up. Otherwise, everyone and their mother knows you'll still be sleeping selling your horses off." Aahil completed it for her.

"And who told me and I quote 'five more minutes'?" Her tone was challenging but he wasn't known to back down from one.

"Who did? I was snuggling with my wife, so I have no idea. Good times and all that jazz."

He stopped the car in front of the restaurant Elma had invited her whole staff to. The contract with Jahan had been a tremendous boost to her company and she wanted to celebrate it with her core team by throwing them a lunch party.

"That's me." Sila picked up her stuff and opened the door to her side. "I'm never doing this again. You're more trouble than good." She settled her purse on her shoulder. "The restaurant is on my way to the office. I'll drop you off in no time." She mimicked him. "And here I am, still late."

"Ungrateful brat," Aahil muttered but she was already out of the car, flashing him a full smile. Her painted lips and that deadly smirk. Damn son, she knew what she was doing. And as always it seemed to work.

Aahil saw her retreating back in the distance. His own smile slowly faded from his face. He pursed his lips, contemplated for a second, and then shrugged, unlocking his phone, and dialing the number.

"Seriously? Are you—"

Her voice was dripping with disbelief through the phone but he cut her off. "Go on a dinner date with me. Tonight."

Sila whistled softly. "Someone's acting clingy."

"Yes or no?" He ignored her cheek and went straight to the point.

Sila chuckled. "Yes, of course. I get to choose the place though. But for the love of God, don't miss out on work. Get to the office and once I'm done, I'll be there. Then we will be off to our dinner plans. Deal?"

Aahil gave it a thought. "Sounds good."

"Here we go. Now, don't call me again. Or people will think I've wrapped you around my finger. Bye, husband. Be of use."

Before he could come up with a snide reply of his own, she'd cut the call. Aahil rested his head on the back of his seat and closed his eyes. Then, a smile slowly reached his face.

Damn him. For the hundredth time, a freaking goner.

𝄞

"I don't remember when was the last time I traveled for so long but enjoyed it equally. Only a fool will sleep through the scenic landscape and that's Urwa."

Unaiza settled her shawl around her shoulders as she strolled by the stone ledge of the resort. Behind their aesthetic lodging for the next few days, the mountains rose, the haze surrounding them, fiddling with their rugged contours.

"Did she really? That's not how you enjoy your trip to the northern areas." Rameen's response was muffled by a loud sneeze at the end.

"Seasonal flu is kicking your ass, hun?" Unaiza asked, her tone was light but Rameen picked up on the concern behind it.

"Oh, I'll live. It's a tradition. There's a slight shift in the season and lo! My old friend Mr. Flu comes knocking at my door."

"It sucks. You were supposed to tag along. I wish you were here, Reen, seeing it's your efforts that made this trip possible in the first place."

It was the truth. Rameen had played a vital role in convincing their family to send Unaiza and their sisters on this trip. Their family wasn't as conservative as most out there but even in an upper middle-class setting, any family would think a hundred times before sending their girls on a trip to the mountains. Rameen didn't give up, though. The recent turn of events in the house had softened their grandmother. She was ashamed of Ayesha Chachi's actions. By nature, she wasn't a tyrannical mother-in-law, that's why her efforts to make Ayesha and Mehreen see sense were not extreme. That was another case that both Mehreen and Ayesha didn't want to be reasoned with.

Rameen's constant efforts and Danish's word about Kiran Abbasi and her travel agency brought the family to an agreement and the result was right there, Unaiza, Urwa, Ramna, and Arooba were in Gilgit. Rameen was supposed to accompany them but her job didn't allow it, and neither did her bout of cough and flu.

"The next time, I won't miss it for anything. Keep the pictures coming, okay? I don't want to feel left out."

"Ramna is in charge of that. I'll remind her to keep you posted."

"Great. Now get back to the resort and enjoy! That's what you're supposed to do there, for the love of God."

Unaiza didn't need to be told twice. As she ended the call, a smile was etched on her face. Rameen was right, she needed this getaway. It had been a long while since she felt this light. It could be the mountain air, the distance of several miles between her and the toxicity back home, or being away from judging and prying eyes. Whatever it was, it felt good.

The lake ahead with ducks playing around in the water was too beautiful to be missed out on. As she neared the edge, the tale of their tour guide from the night before came back to her. He had, rather animatedly, told them this area was once just an empty valley between the mountains, covered with verdant jungle on one side and this lake on the other. It was where the lovers from the village close by used to meet. They'd sit right where she stood, hand in hand, while the ducks watched their love blossoming. It was a good anecdotal reference but for her and many other tourists, this spot was just so important that the phone signals were the most steady here.

She was supposed to go back inside their room but stayed watching the ducks.

"For the last time, I'm here with my friends. This trip was in the works for almost months. I mentioned it more times than I can remember."

The voice came from her side. She craned her neck in the direction. A man stood nearby and by the looks of it, he was in a heated debate with someone on the phone. Unaiza shrugged. Snooping wasn't one of her qualities. But it wasn't her fault that the man was in hearing distance, definitely came out here to catch good signals for a call.

"What do you mean I didn't explicitly tell you? Ammi, are you hearing yourself?"

He took a dramatic pause and then his eyes widened. "Now you're just being mean. There's no need to insert Abu in this conversation and for everything holy, I'm not here with my secret wife. And no! She's not Malik's daughter. I don't even know her name. In short, there's no woman involved. Where do you even get these ideas from?"

The response from the other side made him more frustrated. "Called it. No more 7 PM soap operas for you and that good for nothing Billu. They're corrupting you both. Where's Abu's no-nonsense dictator avatar when you need it the most!"

Unaiza tried her best but couldn't help the snort that slipped past her lips. She tried to cover it with a cough. That only made the man notice her. He immediately turned to where she was. Unaiza saw his profile and got up to leave.

But as she took a step in the resort's direction, she couldn't help feeling the familiarity of the face. Her mind was trying hard to place him. She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. He was still standing there, hands in his jeans pocket as he saw her struggling with her memory.

"Captain...Muaz..?" She raised her index finger as a white flag of truce if she were wrong in her assumption.

Only she wasn't. He covered the distance between them slowly but with a welcoming smile on his face.

"Unaiza." He said, discarding every doubt in her mind that she might be wrong in placing him. But where she had uttered his name with nothing but uncertainty, he did it with nothing but conviction.

Unaiza couldn't help a small chuckle. "I was almost sure I'd mistaken you for someone else."

"Good thing that you didn't. Family vacation or on a friend's trip?"

"With my sisters. Unfortunately, Reen couldn't tag along. I suppose you're here with your friends."

She hadn't intended for it but her eyes darted towards his phone and the conversation from a few minutes back made her lips curl into a knowing smile, even though she tried her best to suppress it.

Muaz groaned. "Yeah. With my friends as we're off duty for a few days. It's your first time visiting Gilgit, right?"

Unaiza nodded in affirmation. "Yes, and I can't believe I was missing out on it." She gestured around.

Muaz's eyes lit up as he took in the scenery. "Mountains have that pull. They make everything else look dull and you can't help asking yourself where the hell had I been?"

Unaiza could agree with that sentiment. But finding Muaz Ikram amidst these mountains wasn't something she was anticipating. The conversation was a stark contrast to their last encounter. Who knew they could talk as genially? But that was a long time ago. She was not the same Unaiza and she was sure, he also wasn't the same Muaz Ikram.

"It was nice meeting you after all these years, Muaz." She pointed toward the entrance. "I have to wake my sister's up or else they'd waste the whole day snuggled in the blankets."

Muaz also had things to do and places to explore so he took a step back without his smile fading. "Likewise. See you around, Unaiza."

He didn't mention that fleeting encounter at Wadia House. The day he got to know about her painful past. He liked this reintroduce better.

He was about to turn back to go his way when Unaiza's voice stopped him.

"Wait."

He did, eyeing her curiously.

"You're no longer a captain, right?"

Muaz brought his two fingers to his forehead in a salute. "Major Muaz Ikram."

"Oh, yes. How could I get it wrong? See you around, Major Muaz Ikram."

And then, without further questions or answers, she walked away from him.

The old him would blanch if someone got his military rank wrong. The old her would get it wrong every chance she got just to spite him because, in her opinion, that's what uniformed men who cared more for their ranks than anything else deserved.

But as it turned out, both of them were not the same anymore.

𝄞

"What do you think?"

Faran's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He shrugged, not knowing what else to do.

"That's it?" Faran raised an eyebrow. "I was expecting a more elaborate answer, as you always have so much to say."

"I'd like to make it clear that getting an office of my own wasn't on my list for today so I'm still processing."

It was the truth. Well partial but true nonetheless.

When he got to the office to carry his role as a showpiece in corporate meetings, his father and brother surprised him with this. His own, personal, custom-designed cabin space. They were rather excited to show it to him. He was told several times that his commitment to the latest inaugural had bestowed him with this privilege.

He was thankful for their mindfulness but did he want a space of his own? Debatable.

His family was the happiest in his involvement in the business. That's what you're supposed to do when you're born a Jahangir. His father did it, his brother as well and so did his sister.

But could all this negate the fact that he was not one of them? His area of expertise was very different from the dynasty of the Jahan conglomerate. This cabin kind of cemented his future role in the business. His father, brother, and sister would call the shots and he'd just move along, not fitting anywhere but still present because there was no way else he would be. This was his life now. No place and capacity for anything else.

"Don't be too skeptical. You were amazing during the inaugural." Faran patted his shoulder.

"I did nothing, Bhai. I was just there." He mumbled.

"And trust me when I say this, that's more than enough. At least for now." Faran's smile was encouraging. Aahil returned it. He had no plans of snatching it from the gem that was Faran who still treated him as his baby brother, regardless of his lapses. Regardless of his shortcomings.

He didn't know when Faran left. He was busy looking at nothing in particular. For the most part, he was trying to suppress the memories of another room in CD headquarters, smaller in size than the one he stood in, but every corner spoke of the haven it was for the person who owned it. The music equipment, the desktop screen opened to a composition blend, the tiny figurines in the corner, the rug he had specially ordered from a local business, the artwork he had hand-picked, the table lamp he knew was absolutely unnecessary but—

No.

He scrunched his eyes with a painful grimace and that's when he heard the door opening again. The haze of darkness surrounded him. He didn't want to be seen this vulnerable. Why the hell was he so broken when it came to that part of his life? Gosh, he was pathetic. Maybe, they were right, after all. He was a loser. Coward.

"Wow."

The excited voice reached him and his head whipped in that direction. She stood at the entrance, looking around with appreciation in her eyes.

"Faran Bhai just told me about this development and I don't know about you but I'm very pumped. Dinner plans can wait a bit."

She surveyed the room and when she walked past him, her arm brushed his back. He immediately felt the tension leaving his body slowly. Her fragrance embraced him. He momentarily closed his eyes to get it into his shut-down system.

"Everything seems set. Just that you're missing a framed photo of mine on your table. Don't worry. I'll pick the best one for the purpose. One where I have my cherry lipstick on."

She laughed at her own suggestive joke as she sat down in the revolving chair. "Oh, by the way, I've picked the restaurant. It's extremely expensive but then again, when will your trust fund be of use?" She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table with a scowl on her face. "Are you even listening to me?"

He was. She was all he could listen to. And he loved every second of it.

Melody. Summoning him back from the dungeons of dread. Grounding him. Holding him in its cocoon.

She stood up, reached him, and held him by his arms. "Aahil?"

She had come closer to inspect him when he held her face in his palms making her eyes widen.

She didn't even get the time to laugh at his swift movement before his lips were on hers. She gasped. He grinned through her surprise and deepened the kiss.

Sweet homecoming.

Home. Exhilaration. Safety. Warmth.

Her.

And there was a giant lock on the paper door that led to that dark part within him.

The kiss started as heated but he didn't know, neither did she, when it turned into one of the most gentle touches they had shared. Rain on a scorching summer day. The first ray of sunshine on the snow. The gentle touch of breeze, standing under the clouds.

As they broke apart, Sila felt at a loss of words for a while. Then she slowly ran her fingers through his hair to settle the mess she had made.

"Do you realize we're at your workplace? If someone walked in on us—"

Aahil scoffed, flicking her nose. "I'm standing in my office. If they have a problem, they can report it to the owner who happens to be me. I'm holding my legally married wife. If they have a problem with that also, they can take it up with the legal authorities."

"Your confidence in your actions is infuriating."

He smirked. "It also is a major turn-on for you."

Sila bit her lip. He got her there and he was well aware of it. Skimming his nose along her jawline, he muttered. "As much as I appreciate your turn-ons, we have a dinner date to get to. I heard my wife has chosen an expensive restaurant and what am I if not up for whatever she has on her mind."

"I'll turn you broke by midnight." She warned, raising a finger.

"I'm looking forward to it." He chuckled, holding that finger and kissing it softly.

Yeah, wrapped around her finger but who, with all due disrespect, gave a flying hoot for what anyone thought?

Him. Not a chance.

𝄞

Continued in the next part