Bridging Hearts

16. She's... different

Him

The jet hummed softly as we made our way back home. I sat by the window, staring out at the clouds, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. I reached for my phone, unlocking it with a swipe of my thumb. The screen lit up, revealing a photo I'd taken before I left-Tara, standing in the snow, her face lit up with pure joy. A smile tugged at my lips, and for a moment, I allowed myself to simply admire her.

"What are you grinning at, Dante?" Natty's voice broke through my thoughts, and I quickly locked my phone, but it was too late. She'd seen the picture. "Ooooohhhh! What's this? Is that a girl on your phone?"

Before I could answer, Brian leaned over, trying to catch a glimpse of the screen. "No way, let me see. Bastard you've been holding out on us!"

I shot them both a warning glare, but it only made them laugh harder.

"Come on, Dante," Natty teased, nudging me playfully. "Who's the mystery girl? Don't tell me you've finally met someone who can put up with your grumpy self."

"There's no one," I muttered, though I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I focused on the window, trying to ignore the way my heart sped up at the mere thought of Tara.

Brian, of course, wasn't letting it go that easily. "Dante, I've known you since we were kids. You can't hide anything from me. If you're blushing-yeah, don't think I didn't notice-you've got it bad."

Natty grinned, leaning closer. "Don't be shy, Dante. You know, if she's got you like this, she must be something special."

I scoffed, but I couldn't deny the truth to myself. "It's not like that," I finally said, trying to sound firm. "She's... different."

"Different how?" Brian asked, eyebrow raised.

I paused, my mind racing for the right words. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of knowing just how deeply Tara had started to affect me, but at the same time, I couldn't deny it either.

"She's... the kind of girl who makes you want to be better. She's got this light, you know? And when she smiles, it's like... you'd do anything to keep that smile on her face, just so you can see it again."

Natty and Brian exchanged glances, their teasing expressions softening for a moment.

"That's deep, Dante," Natty said quietly. "You really like her, don't you?"

I shrugged, trying to play it off, but the truth was out there now. "Maybe," I said softly, not really wanting to admit how much more than 'like' it was.

Natty's smile widened. "Dante Marchetti, the man with ice in his veins, melting for a girl. Who would've thought?"

Brian chuckled, clapping me on the back. "You're in deep, my friend. And you know what? I'm happy for you."

I rolled my eyes, and I sighed. "She's off limits," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "She's Arjun's sister. There's a six-year age gap between us. And with everything going on... the mission, the danger... it's just not right."

Natty's playful smile faded, replaced by a look of understanding. "Dante, I get it. It's complicated, but sometimes the best things in life are. Just because it's difficult doesn't mean it's not worth it."

Brian nodded in agreement. "And don't forget, you and Arjun have been like brothers for years. If anyone knows the importance of loyalty and respect, it's you. But that doesn't mean you should deny yourself happiness. You just have to figure out what's worth the risk."

I appreciated their words, but I still felt conflicted. "I don't want to drag her into something that could hurt her. She deserves better than that."

Natty placed a hand on my arm, her voice gentle. "Dante, you're a good man. You'd never hurt her intentionally. But you have to ask yourself-is staying away really what's best for her? Or is it just easier for you?"

I didn't have an answer for that. Not yet, anyway.

As the jet touched down, Brian and Natty gathered their things, ready to head off to their work. "We'll find them eventually," Brian reassured me, his tone serious now. "You just focus on what's in front of you."

Natty nodded, her usual cheerfulness tempered with determination. "We've got your back. Always."

I nodded, appreciating their support more than I could say. But as they walked off, my mind was already somewhere else-back at the office, where Tara would be working on my office. I didn't even try to hide the anticipation thrumming through my veins as I rushed to my car.

Tara. The thought of seeing her, even just for a moment, made the corners of my mouth lift in a way I couldn't control. She was everything I didn't know I needed, and the thought of her waiting back at the office was enough to make me push the speed limit the entire drive back.

Her

I sat in the passenger seat of Bhaiya's car, staring out the window as we drove back to the office. The day was gray and uneventful, the kind of weather that made you want to curl up with a blanket and a good book. But my mind was far from relaxed. Instead, it was entirely occupied with thoughts of Dante.

I couldn't help it. Every time my mind wandered, it somehow found its way back to him-his intense gaze, the way he could make a room feel both electrified and suffocating all at once. And now, after days of not seeing him, I found myself... missing him? That was a strange realization, and not one I was entirely comfortable with.

Just then, Bhaiya's voice broke through my thoughts. "By the way, Tara, Dante will be back at the office today. His flight landed this morning."

I felt a jolt of excitement rush through me, so sudden and intense that I had to force myself to stay composed. I didn't want Bhaiya to see how much that news affected me. "Oh, okay," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice casual. "Good to know."

Bhaiya didn't seem to notice the tremor in my voice, thankfully. He just nodded, focused on the road, while I fought to suppress the whirlwind of emotions that had suddenly taken over.

By the time we reached the office, my nerves were in overdrive. I needed to get a grip. It was just Dante coming back. It wasn't like I hadn't seen him in ages-it had only been a few days. And yet, here I was, acting like some teenager with a crush. Ridiculous.

I walked into my workspace and began laying out the mood boards and sketches I'd been working on. The idea I had for his office was a bold one, something that would add a touch of warmth and energy to the otherwise cold, sterile space. I knew it was a risk, given how rigid Dante could be about everything, but I also knew there was more to him than that. At least, I hoped there was.

As I arranged everything neatly on the table, I heard the door to the office open, and my heart skipped a beat. I knew it was him before I even looked up. I could feel his presence, the way the air seemed to change when he was around.

When I finally gathered the courage to look, there he was-standing in the doorway with that same intense gaze that somehow left me flustered. Only this time, it wasn't just butterflies in my stomach. No, it was like the whole zoo had suddenly come to life inside me.

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the nerves that were threatening to make me lose my composure. "Um, Mr. Grump?" I stammered, cursing at myself internally for not sounding more confident. "Are you free... I mean, would you have time to look at the sketches for your office?"

His eyes softened slightly, and for a moment, I thought I saw a hint of amusement in them. "Sure," he replied, his voice as calm and steady as ever.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. He was here. And somehow, despite all the nerves, all the second-guessing, I was actually excited to show him what I'd created. Even if it meant stepping into uncharted territory, even if it meant risking his disapproval, I was ready.

But first, I needed to stop the zoo in my stomach from throwing a parade.

************