Page 27 of Ansel

When he blurted out that last part, I felt everything inside me unravel. I bit my lower lip, then saw how his eyes followed the movement and darkened.

“It’s been hell seeing you in those tight fucking skirts you wear, thinking how it would feel to bend you over on my desk…,” he trailed off, but my panties got wet all the same.

“That’s quite the image.”

His eyes filled with quiet affection. “Tell me about it. I’ve been fantasizing about it for years.”

“That must’ve beenhard,” I teased.

He looked at me in shock for a moment and then threw his head back and busted out laughing. He looked damn good doing it. Carefree, happier than I’d seen him sinceforever.

“I adore you,” he murmured amused.

Now, my heart did skip a few beats.

“Give me a chance to show you that I’m working hard to be a better person.”

I licked my lips, nervous.

I loved this man, even at his worst. Now, when he was trying so hard to be his best, how could I walk away?

People don’t change, Neha, they just mask.

Maybe, but right now, right this moment, I just want to give him something for everything he’s done and take something for myself as well because I’ve missed him.

I stepped forward, rose onto my toes, closed the space between us, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. This was the first time I’d done this, and it felt…well, awesome.

Ansel tensed—just for a second. Then he let out a slow breath, his hands flexing at his sides.

I pulled back and met his eyes. “Thank you.”

His throat bobbed. “You don’t have to?—”

“I know.” I smiled, small but genuine. “But I mean it. You’re not the only one who’s been working on themselves, Ansel, I have as well, and I’m learning to accept help from people without worrying that I’m a burden to them. So,thank you.”

Thank you for including me in bringing about Vanessa's downfall, for telling Eleanor how you messed up with me, for understanding that I need to grow away from you, and for still being there with me and for me. Most importantly, thank you for asking me to give us a chance, which is precious because I had given up all hope.

12

DATING FOR DUMMIES

NEHA

Iagreed to the date before I could fully convince myself it was a bad idea. Not a date-date, but a one-time, see-what-he’s-really-after kind ofthing.

So that’s how I found myself walking through Central Park on a late spring Sunday, with Ansel.

Cherry blossoms hung heavy on the trees, their petals drifting down like soft pink confetti. The scent of fresh blooms and hot pretzels from a nearby vendor was such a classic New York contrast.

The city had come out of hibernation. Joggers weaved between tourists, couples sprawled on picnic blankets, and a guitarist played something slow and sweet.

Ansel focused onme.

He didn’t have his phone in his hand, like he always did at work. He didn’t check his watch for the time, another thing he always did at work.

He also didn’t talk about work.

It was almost as if he were showing me who he was outside the office, and I very much liked what I saw.

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