Chapter 254 A Game of Hearts

    Chapter 254 A Game of Hearts

    “What is that girl up to…” Lucas muttered under his breath, though he couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at his lips.

    Inside the room, Sloane leaned against the door and exhaled softly. Her cheeks were faintly flushed, her heart still beating a little fast. She nced down at her hands, and a rxed smile slowly curved across her face.

    “So I really have fallen for Lucas,” she whispered. It wasn’t exactly a surprise-she’d suspected it for a while. Now, she was simply sure.

    She couldn’t help but giggle as she recalled the dazed look on Lucas’s face just moments earlier.

    She was certain he had feelings for her too. She just didn’t understand why he kept holding back. It didn’t match his usual overbearing nature at all.

    Sloane wasn’t one for dragging things out, especially when it came to emotions.

    “Lucas, you’re not getting away,” she said softly, a glint of mischief flickering in her eyes.

    Meanwhile, Jill had heard from Samson that Sloane was staying with Lucas. She immediately gathered a few friends and headed straight for the Hawthorne estate.

    The moment they walked in, Jill called out excitedly, “Sloane! We’re here! We heard you were staying over, so we came to hang out!”

    Sloane stepped out of her room when she heard the voices. She saw Jill, Samson, and a few other familiar faces standing in the living room, all beaming with excitement.

    She quickly came downstairs to greet them. “What are you guys doing here?”

    Jill gave her a yful wink. “What, did wee at a bad time?”

    Samson nced at Lucas, who had just walked out. “How about a barbecue today?”

    Lucas didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked at Sloane, who was standing a step below him. “What do you think?”

    Sloane raised an eyebrow. “Sounds good to me.”

    Jill pped her hands. “Perfect! I’ll have them get the grill and food ready in the yard right now!”

    The group moved out to the backyardwn. The weather was perfect-warm sunlight, a gentle breeze, and the air rich with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass.

    The grill was already piled with ingredients, and the charcoal was zing. The smell of sizzling food quickly filled the air.

    As she flipped the food, Jill suddenly suggested, “Just eating feels boring. Let’s y a game!”

    “I’m in,” Samson chimed in.

    |||

    12:07 Wed, 10 Septe

    Chapter 254 A Game of Hearts

    Jill nudged Sloane’s arm and gave her a quick look toward Lucas. “Sloane, go get Lucas to join us.”

    Sloane turned to him with a smile. “Lucas, wannae y too?”

    Lucas usually wasn’t one for party games, but under her gaze, he nodded. “Alright.”

    s

    Jill immediately pulled out a deck of cards, grinning from ear to ear. “Let’s y Truth or Dare. Loser has to answer a question or do a challenge!”

    The game kicked off, and the mood quickly turned lively. After a few rounds, everyone wasughing and thoroughly enjoying themselves. When it was Sloane’s turn, she drew a dare card.

    Jill snatched it, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Sloane, your dare is… stare into the eyes of the person on your left for three minutes-noughing!”

    Sloane nced to her left-and saw Lucas.

    She turned to face him, locking eyes. “Let’s do it.”

    Lucas blinked in surprise, but then their gazes met in midair.

    Sloane’s eyes were clear and sharp, glinting with yful defiance. She tilted her chin slightly, like she was daring him to break first.

    12:07 Wed, 10 Sept