Just then, Rita appeared out of nowhere and came running toward us. She even looked a little aggrieved as she asked, “Why didn’t you wait for me, Peyton?”
Peyton stopped at her words and put me down, almost as if he couldn’t wait to show that he had nothing to do with me.
I played along and hurried backward a few steps, leaving them some privacy. “Uh, I’ll go get breakfast there. You guys chat.”
Then, I fled like earlier this morning. It was almost as if I could ignore the resentment and bitterness surging within me. I told myself not to covet something I couldn’t have. It was best if I could stop myself from even thinking about it. It was the only way to keep myself from getting hurt.
I was exhausted after a strenuous morning. To make matters worse, I learned that I had to prepare my own lunch.
I returned to the living room, feeling resigned. That was when I saw everyone seated on the couch. Shane’s eyes lit up when he saw me. He leaned close and said, “You came back at the perfect time! Peyton said he’s going to cook for us. We’d starve if not for that!”
I had no idea Peyton was such a fan of cooking. Or was it just because he wanted to show Rita that he cared?
I turned to look at her, but her expression was ugly. It made me wonder whether she and Peyton had yet to work out the misunderstanding.
At that thought, I approached her and greeted her with a smile. “When did you guys get back, Rita? Mr. Grant only helped me earlier because my anemia acted up.”
She forced a smile at that. “Yeah, he told me.”
He did? Then why was she still so upset?
At that moment, Peyton poked his head out of the kitchen. “What would you like for lunch, Riley?”
I thought he’d asked everyone, so I suggested a soup.
He held up a ladle. “It’s already boiling.”
“Uh… I remember us having some beef and carrots…”
“I’ve already made something with that.”
“Is there fish?”
“Yeah. I made fish fingers.”
After some back and forth, I realized he’d made everything I wanted to eat. It was as if he already knew what I liked.
Some of the live stream viewers noticed something was up.
“Wait–why do I suddenly think these two make a pretty good ship?”
“Riley South is a scheming bitch, if you ask me. Peyton was just asking to be polite, yet she turned it into a whole conversation. She’s got some tricks up her sleeve!”
“It looks like Rita’s angry!”
Rita interrupted my conversation with Peyton. “Can you cut down on the spiciness, Peyton? I can’t really handle it.”
I loved spicy foods, though.
1/2
Chapter 4
+16 Bonus
Peyton paused before saying indifferently, “Okay.”
Rita looked appeased at that. I belatedly realized that I’d spoken too much earlier. Peyton had probably only being polite with me. The dishes he’d prepared were likely catered to Rita’s tastes.
I decided not to say anything later.
The live stream viewers‘ comments came streaming in.
“See, Peyton only listens to what Rita says! Whoever shipped him with Riley is blind!”
“Can you see the love they share? No one can get between them!”
“Besides, Peyton said the person he likes is here, right? Don’t forget it can’t be anyone but Rita!”
I was distracted when eating the fish fingers, so I didn’t notice a stray bone within the meat. It got lodged in my throat. I coughed violently.
Peyton, who’d been chatting offhandedly with Rita, immediately stood up and came to check on me. He crouched before me and confirmed that a bone was choking me. Then, he immediately got a tweezer.
His usually calm expression was replaced with one of anxiety and worry.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
