bChapter /bbi74 /i/b

bChapter /bb74 /b

bRight /bthen, Zacharyb, /bwearing an apron and holding ba /bspat, came running over excitedly. “Mr. Hallman, Ms. Murphy, thanks bfor /bing. You btwo/bb, /bmake yourselvesfortable. Melissa, go ahead and take care of our guests. Just three more dishes bto /bfinish up.”

I gave Melissa a teasing look. When Zachary called her Melissa, it sounded so cheesy. The tough, strong Melissa blushed all of a sudden.

With Nathan by my side, I didn’t dare tease her, so I politely sat down on the couch. Melissa got busy making coffee for us. Nathan bwas /bcalm and collected.

When he reached for the coffee with his long, pale fingersb, /bthe veins on the back of his hand showed clearly. My heart skipped a beat.

“I’ll go help Zachary. You two brx/b,” Melissa said, leaving us alone.

Nathan nced toward the kitchen at the happy couple and smiled. “They look really happy.”

I looked too. Zachary cooked while Melissa washed dishes. The sounds of pots and pans nging gave off a warm, homey vibe.

Seeing this, I suddenly thought of my previous life, how I was always alone in the kitchen. Jared wouldn’t evene in to grab a bowl, let alone share that kind of couple closeness.

“My friend finally found someone who can satisfy her appetite,” I smiled.

“Zachary’s from Caelora. His pork’s the real deal,” Nathan added.

“Oh, I get it,” Iughed. I’d heard men in Caelora were known to be very attentive, but I wasn’t sure if that was true.

As I watched the kitchen, I felt a burning stare on me. I immediately looked down and calmly sipped my coffee. Nathan seemed to feel that staring was rude and quickly drank his coffee, too.

“Ms. Murphy, I didn’t expect you toe,” Nathan said quietly, worried I might think the wrong thing.

I looked at him sincerely. “I trust you.”

Nathan stared at me in surprise. “Why?”

“Nothing. I just think you’re honest and not scheming.” Nathan was a science geek with clear eyes, not like someone with hidden agendas.

Nathan felt a bit underestimated. He lowered his voice. “You don’t know me that well yet.”

I smiled at him. “We’re just friends. No need to dig too deep. As long as you seem trustworthy, that’s enough.”

Nathan’s clear eyes darkened for a moment. He said no more. Dinner was great. Zachary and Melissa were outgoing and talkative. After a few toasts, it was my turn. I got tongue–tied.

Nathan smiled at me, so I blurted out, “I wish you a happy marriage and lots of kids.”

“Victoria…” bMelissa /bprotested, blushing hard and giving me a yful re.

Zachary happily thanked me. “Thanks for the blessing, Ms. Murphy. We’ll do our bestb.” /b

bChapter /b74

Melissa’s eyes lit bup/bb. /bShe looked shy bbut /bbhappy/b. bWe /bbtalked /babout blight/bb, /bbfun /bbstuff /bat the btable/b. I didn’t drink bbecause /bbI /bbhad /bbto /bbdrive/b. Nathan drank a blittle/b. bHe had /bba /bbdriver /bbwith /bhim.

bZachary /bbdrank /ba lot. He was happy. bMelissa /bonly had a little. When the party ended, bNathan /bsuddenly swayed next to meb. /bI binstinctively /breached out to steady him.

b“/bSorryb, /bbI’m /bba /blittle drunk,” he said, eyes red and breath heavy.

Zachary bwas /bdead drunk. Melissa had bto /btake care of him. Nathan and I got ready ito /ileave. “Victoria, watch Mr. Hallman so he doesn’t fall,” Melissa said worriedly.

I nodded. At the elevator entrance, the motionb–/bsensor light suddenly went out. The elevator came slowly. We bwere /bin total darkness. Nathan stood silently beside meb, /blike a tall white birch tree.

My heart pounded. I wondered if I didn’t have the courage to do what Jared did. ‘How could he be so affectionate with bTracy /bin front of me all these byears/bb?/bb‘ /b

Thinking that, I nced at the elevator still stopped on the third floor. Nathan suddenly swayed. He put his hand on the wall. I reached out and held his other arm. In the dark, he looked at me, and I stared right back.

“Victoria…” Nathan’s voice was hoarse and barely recognizable. I responded softly. Then I felt his breath suddenly move closer but stop about two inches from me.

AD