Wordlessly, he walks along the length of the bar, away from me. Panic creeps into my chest. I can sense that people are eavesdropping on us and I wish they’d stop. I watch him turn the corner so he’s no longer on the service side of the bar and stride toward me. I slide off my bar stool so I can stand and face him. I search his face for clues about what he’s thinking, but he doesn’t meet my eyes until he’s directly in front of me. Then, he gently tilts my chin up with his finger so we’re looking eye to eye. My heart pounds hard against my chest.

“Let’s give this a shot,” he says finally. His expression cracks into a grin.

He cups my cheek with one hand and kisses me deeply. I feel a rush of electricity, like my skin is sparkling with sheer joy. Across the bar, I hear a whooping shout that seems intended to cheer us on. In response, Raj’s other hand slips around my waist to bring me closer as he kisses me again, and again, and again. In his arms, I feel confident, comfortable, and genuinely excited. I don’t have to fake anything around him.

When we finally lean apart, he gazes at me with warm, vibrant eyes. He tucks a loose piece of hair behind my ear; it’s an intimate gesture, but he does it with ease.

“I’m really glad you came back,” he says softly.

“Me, too,” I say.

“And you’re not just here for the free drinks and snacks?” he teases.

“Not opposed, but nope, definitely just here for you,” I say.

He shakes his head slightly like he can’t quite believe that this is really happening.

“I hope you don’t think that you’re the only one who messed up,” he says seriously. “I mean, yeah, the kiss caught me off guard, but I’ve liked you from the start. I should’ve told you how I felt sooner. I just . . . I assumed that girls like you didn’t go for guys like me.”

My cheeks flush. “What do you mean?”

“You’re this badass who runs her own company and is kind of semi-famous, and, well, I’m currently covered in beer. A customer knocked over a whole pitcher earlier,” he explains. “You could date anyone, and you were dating someone else—engaged to someone else, even—and yet you’re here. You see how that’s weird for me, right?”

“But I don’t want to date just anyone,” I say. “Raj, I want to date you. When I’m with you, I can be myself. Stress melts away. I genuinely have fun. Do you know how special it is to find a connection like that?”