A zoo date sounded simple in theory.
Walk around. Look at animals. Have ice cream.
Nothing major. Nothing stressful.
Except—it wasn't just a date anymore.
It was Mehul proving a point.
A point that I couldn't ignore.
Because now, I was fully gone.
And the worst part?
He knew it.
I had not recovered.
Mehul casually wiping my mouth with his thumb had completely ruined me.
And now?
Now, I was just walking next to him in silence, trying to process my entire existence.
My brain was looping the moment on repeat—
The warmth of his touch.
The way he had done it so effortlessly.
The way he didn't even look surprised at my reaction.
Like he expected it.
Like he was enjoying this.
Like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
I swallowed hard. This was a disaster.
We reached the butterfly garden.
A quieter part of the zoo.
Less people. More open space.
Mehul slowed down, tilting his head slightly. "Wanna go in?"
I shrugged, still trying to act normal. "Sure."
The enclosure was bright and peaceful.
Butterflies fluttering around, landing on plants, moving with the breeze.
Mehul walked ahead, hands in his pockets, looking as effortlessly calm as ever.
I exhaled, finally allowing myself to breathe.
And then—he turned around.
A butterfly had landed on his sleeve.
And for some reason, that completely undid me.
Because it fit.
The image of him standing there—
Surrounded by soft light.
With a butterfly perched on his sleeve.
Looking at me.
Like I was the only thing here that mattered.
My stomach flipped.
I cleared my throat, trying to play it cool. "Guess even butterflies like you."
Mehul hummed. "Maybe it sensed something."
I raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
His gaze didn't waver.
"You tell me."
…Oh.
Oh no.
This wasn't fair.
Mehul wasn't teasing this time.
He wasn't pushing.
He was just looking.
Like he was waiting for me to accept something.
And the scariest part?
I already had.