Espresso │ Shubman Gill

03. fake dates.

Naina hears her phone ring and checks to see Shubman's name pop up on the screen. She applies the finishing touches to her lip gloss, smiling after a quick glance at herself in the mirror and grabbing her stuff as she leaves the apartment.

Shubman is waiting in his car, his fingers tapping impatiently against the steering wheel as he checks his watch. He finally spots Naina approaching and is about to roll down his window and throw a sarcastic comment her way when his breath hitches in his throat.

Shubman swallows the lump in his throat, trying to compose himself as he sees Naina walk around the side of the car and slip into the passenger seat. "About time."

Naina puts her bag to the side, an amused smirk on her face as she raises and eyebrow. "Done ogling?"

Shubman scowls at Naina's tone, feeling his cheeks heat up with a mix of embarrassment and something else he can't quite place. "I was not ogling. I was just... observing. There's a difference."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." Naina winks, trying to shake away the slight flutter in her stomach at the sight of Shubman's tattoo being slightly visible through the top two open buttons of his shirt.

"Take a picture, It'll last longer." Shubman rolls his eyes, trying not to let her sneaky glance affect him.

Shubman's jaw drops in a mix of disbelief and amusement as Naina shrugs casually, pulling out her phone and snapping a picture of him as he drives.

"Did you just-"

"You told me to!"

"I didn't think you'd actually do it!" Shubman retorts, his cheeks tinted with a slight blush at Naina following through.

"Oops?"

Shubman lets out a irritated sigh at her innocent tone, trying to ignore his flustered state as he navigates through the traffic.

They arrive at the restaurant, handing the keys to the valet as they step out. Shubman places his hand on the small of Naina's back, the latter trying to hide her flustered state as they walk in.

The hostess leads Shubman and Naina to their table, slightly secluded from the rest of the crowd out on the patio, overlooking the beach.

They take a seat and Naina picks up the menu, her eyes flitting over the list of drinks when she feels Shubman's gaze on her. Her lips curl into a smirk, a smug expression on her face while her eyes remain on the menu but she can't hide the slight flush of her cheeks.

Shubman feels a sense of satisfaction at Naina's reaction to his gaze, his tone remaining nonchalant but unable to keep the smirk out of his voice. "See anything you like?"

"Excuse me?"

Shubman raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence as he repeats himself. His smirk widens as he watches Naina struggle to keep her composure, leaning forward in his seat and crossing his arms over the table. "I asked if you see anything you like on the menu."

"Right, because thats exactly what you said." Naina scowls, trying to keep the flush off her cheeks as she places the menu down.

"What? You having trouble hearing suddenly? Or are you... distracted?" Shubman is unable to hide the amusement as he continues to taunt her, leaning in even closer with a whisper.

"Really? Then I should be asking you the same thing, huh? I'm not the one who keeps ogling at you."

"Oh please. I have not been ogling you. I was just... observing. There's a difference."