Page 222 of Breeding Her: The Red Flag Edition
My heart thudded a little faster.
Still, I moved closer when I saw the table set for two.
One place at the head.
The other beside him. Like a minion.
“Drink?” he asked.
“No, thank you,” I replied coolly.
“You don’t drink?”
“It’s very rare that I feel the need to.”
He grunted and placed his glass on the table.
1–0.
He pulled the chair out for me, and I sat. Instead of pushing it in like a normal person, he lifted the whole thing and shifted me closer.
His chin brushed my shoulder for a second.
Then—
He inhaled. Deeply.
He was sniffing my damn hair.
Before I could react, Connie swept in with a broad smile and our starters.
“You look beautiful, Miss Everly,” she said warmly.
“I made your favourite,” Connie whispered as she placed my plate down.
“Thanks, Connie,” I murmured, unfolding the thick napkin across my lap.
I smiled broadly. Connie was a gem. She never brushed me aside. More often than not, she let me tag along with whatever she was doing—baking, polishing silver, even folding laundry.
She and Mr. Caplan had given me more happy memories than I could count.
I lifted the pretentious silver cloche, and the scent hit me—
Homemade chicken soup.
Kale, carrots, and shredded chicken in a thick, rich broth, finished with finely chopped parsley.
I didn’t wait for Silas. I lifted my spoon and took the first mouthful.
Oh yeah. Connie had added red lentils to the soup.
Warm, rich, comforting. It tasted like childhood.
I was halfway through the bowl before I realised something.
Silas hadn’t moved.
His spoon sat untouched. His expression unreadable.
