I was losing my mind.
That was the only explanation for this.
I should have said something. Should have told Haider off, should have rolled my eyes, should have not stood there like some love-struck fool while he smirked at me like he had me all figured out.
Which he didn’t.
I exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the counter like it could somehow ground me.
Haider was a problem. A smug, infuriating, stupidly attractive problem.
And the worst part?
He knew it.
"Why do you look like you're about to fight someone?"
I turned sharply to find Mariam standing in the doorway, arms crossed, watching me with a smirk.
"No reason."
She stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "No reason?"
"Nope."
Mariam hummed. "Then why do you look like someone just flipped your entire world upside down?"
I forced a casual shrug. "Because people are annoying."
"People or a specific person?"
I glared at her. "Go away."
She grinned, leaning against the counter. "You know, for someone who claims to hate Haider, you sure spend a lot of time looking all flustered because of him."
I groaned. "Mariam."
"Ayza." She mimicked my tone. "Just admit it."
"There’s nothing to admit!"
Mariam raised a brow. "So if I say Haider’s name right now, you’re not going to turn into a tomato?"
I opened my mouth—then shut it when my stupid traitorous face warmed up.
Her smirk widened. "You’re blushing."
"I am not"
"You so are."
I groaned again, burying my face in my hands. "I hate you."
Mariam laughed, patting my head like I was some pet she was amused by. "You hate Haider too, right?"
I shot her a glare. "Obviously."
She grinned. "Sure you do."
I grabbed the nearest kitchen towel and threw it at her. She dodged it with a laugh, stepping back. "Relax, Ayza. I’m just saying, maybe you should stop fighting it so much."
I crossed my arms. "Fighting what?"
"The fact that you’re absolutely, completely, and undeniably falling for him."
My stomach twisted.
Because for the first time, I had nothing to say back.
