Page 122 of Game on, Love

“So? What’s the verdict?”

Reaching up, I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers gently brushing against her soft skin. “I love it.”

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes glimmering, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. “Really?”

I nodded, my voice a whisper, as I added. “Being here with you, the track, seeing it all properly has been different. And watching you light up and be in your element has made it all perfect.”

Her eyes softened, her breath catching slightly as she soaked up my words. “It’s the energy here, everyone is excited for tomorrow…”

I shook my head. “I’ve been in the paddock before. Twice actually, but for me, you were the one that has made it feel right.”

“When andwhere?” Her eyes were so wide I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Silverstone. Last year and the year before that.”

“But then why did you…” She whispered, her brows turning down in a frown. “The bet…”

Time to come clean.

“Vedant had only taught me the basics so I could understand what was happening when he invited me the first year and also thought that it was ridiculous that I lived with him and had no clue what happened during a race, but I had no idea about the rest of it before you,” I said, honestly.

“You could’ve told me that before.”

“If I had, would you have accepted my help?”

She sighed, shaking her head. “No.”

“My point.”

She released a breath before dropping her head on top of mine. Her fingers traced the back of my neck as she watched the paddock before she stilled.

Confused, I waited for her to say something, and as she slowly looked at me with seriousness, I stilled, too.

“What?”

“So you made a bet with me knowing you were at an advantage?” She sounded genuinely upset that I knew if I let thelaugh creeping up my throat slip past my lips, I would actually become the puppy Rihaan called me after I got first-class tickets to the dog house.

Choosing my words carefully, I replied. “I only made that bet so I could help you.”

“And take me out on a date.” She shot back, leaning back in my hold.

“Told you, I’m great at multitasking.” I winked, pulling her closer to me. “And I did both.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“I’myouridiot,” I said, the words slipping without hesitation, and she laughed, leaning her forehead on mine.

“That was so cheesy,” She whispered.

“You loved it.”

“I did.”

The sound of the paddock was still there, but it was like a memory fading away as I pulled back slightly to look at her. “And I love you.”

She stilled under me, her lips parting slightly like they always did when I caught her off guard. I held her softening gaze before a flicker of emotions crossed them as her hands moved to my chest, gently resting there as if grounding herself. “I love you too.”

Her voice was softer, filled with a vulnerability I hadn’t seen her wear before, and it made my heart ache.