Chapter 38
Manisha slowed as she neared her favourite cheesecake shop, Henriette’s, a long queue of eager customers stretching out the door.
She bypassed the lineup and made her way toward the bookstore next door.
It was a place she used to escape to as a child, and right now, that’s all she wanted to do.
Nearly four hours had passed since she’d sent the email to Sunil, and still, no matter how often and desperately she checked her phone, he hadn’t replied.
The mild Sunday afternoon’s slight chill was tamped out as she stepped into the warm and cozy shop.
She breathed in the comforting scent of book pages mixed with the faint aroma of coffee wafting from the in-store café kiosk at the back.
The quiet of the shop wrapped around her like a comforting embrace as she wandered toward the romance section.
Standing among the shelves of books, their bold colours lining the cases, Manisha wanted to lose herself in a story and forget about everything else.
She was reaching for the store’s romance pick of the month when she caught another familiar scent wafting through the air: bergamot. Had the bookstore started using it as a fragrance, or was her nose playing tricks on her?
As she spun around, ready to investigate, her eyes landed on Rohit. He was casually leaning against the shelves of the architecture section, wholly engrossed in his phone rather than the books surrounding him.
Even though Rohit had generously offered to pay for her egg freezing, she hadn’t spoken to or seen him since their kiss. She was surprised at how happy she was to see him.
“Rohit?” Manisha called out, catching him off guard. He quickly shoved his phone away like it was contraband. “What are you doing here? Let me guess, looking for inspiration for the café renovations?”
He gestured vaguely to the bookshelves. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. What about you?”
Manisha explained that the store was one of her favourite places in Baskin. It had been ever since she was little, when Sanj would bring her here while he went to the arcade a few doors down to play with his friends. “He figured I’d be distracted for an hour here, and he was right.”
They stood in silence for a moment.
“You want to grab a cup of coffee?” Rohit suggested with a smile.
“Sure, that would be nice,” Manisha replied, her mind lighting up at the thought of a warm, comforting cup of coffee.
They made their way to the back where the aroma of freshly roasted Colombian coffee beans filled the air around the in-store coffee kiosk.
Manisha settled into a comfortable chair as Rohit brought two cups of hot coffee, steam rising from the cups he carried over to her.
He settled in across from her. “Manisha, about the other night…”
“I am so sorry I did that,” she blurted out. She was so embarrassed she couldn’t help but interrupt him before he went any further.
“No, no. Don’t be sorry at all. I mean, I kissed you, too,” he admitted.
Manisha was surprised by his response but relieved that he didn’t seem to hold the kiss against her. “But you stopped it, as you should have,” she said, showing that she respected his boundaries even if she hadn’t had any that night.
“I guess I didn’t realize until that moment how much I wanted the kiss to be with my lady,” he said, causing Manisha’s eyes to widen.
“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone that seriously.”
“Well, it’s kind of new…but my heart is already hers, if that makes sense.”
Manisha understood all too well. “I get it, believe me. I seem to be in the same boat—my heart is with someone else, as well, which means it was doubly out of line for me to kiss you.” She sighed. “It’s just a little complicated.”
“Tell me about it,” Rohit agreed. “But, if that person truly loves you, nothing else will matter. Right?”
Her heart swelled with emotion, grateful for the unexpected connection they had just shared.
“Manisha, I meant what I said the other night. I’m here to help you. Money or anything it is you need. I’ll support whatever decision you feel is best.”
“That’s really sweet of you, Rohit.” She smiled. “Well, look at us. From near fender-bender enemies to actual friends.”
They grinned at each other, all awkwardness gone. From there, they shifted to discussing Rohit’s design hopes for the café expansion. When their mugs were drained, they cleared up then made their way to the door.
“I think I’m going to head home now,” she said.
“Do you want some company on the walk? I promise, no drinks tonight.”
She laughed. “Sure, why not!”
As Manisha and Rohit stepped out of the bookstore, a sign caught their eye, advertising the annual “Night Under the Stars” event at the Emporium in the centre of town.
“I haven’t been to that in years,” Manisha remarked. “It’s in just a couple of days.”
“Sounds like a perfect date idea,” Rohit replied.
In that moment, an idea sparked in Manisha’s mind—what better way to invite Sunil on their first date? She was ready to create some in-person magic with him at last.