Chapter 46
Chapter 46:
We snap our eyes back to each other, both still gripping the saucepan.
“Give me the pan, Asher. I want to wash it. You can go check the pizza before it burns p>
He resists briefly, but my grip is firm. Finally, he gives in, realizing I’m determined to be the one to wash it. Of course, I can’t let him do everything in this kitchen alone.
As I wash the saucepan, he pulls the pizza from the microwave. The rich aroma fills the air, and I immediately recognize it—chicken pizza. My favorite.
When I’m done, I dry the pan with a dishcloth and put it back with the other utensils. By the time I’m finished, Asher has already carried the pizza to the table in the living room. as he walks back into the kitchen to get the tray with the mugs of milk, I snatch it from the counter before he can.
He opens his mouth, probably to argue, but I brush past him and head into the living room, his footsteps close behind me.
We sit on the long sofa by the table, where our food is set. I murmur a short prayer before finally digging in. Chicken pizza always tastes heavenly, especially when it’s hot and spicy.
Asher takes a slice too, eating slowly, savoring it bite by bite.
“Calm down, Isla, or you’ll end up hiccuping on all that food,” he teases.
I want to laugh, to shoot back a remark, but my mouth is too full. I eat slice after slice until my stomach is stretched tight, telling me I’ve had enough.
I drain the rest of my milk, then set the empty mug back on the tray, rubbing my full stomach. Asher finishes his too, popping the last bite of pizza into his mouth before dusting off his hands and wiping his lips with his thumb.
God, watching his lips move like that makes me wonder how I’ll survive tonight, alone with him.
I cough lightly and stand. “Thank you for the food.” I grab the empty pizza box. “I’ll toss this in the kitchen p>
“Wait,” he says, standing as well. He lifts the tray with our mugs. “We’ll go together p>
I shake my head. Who is this guy?
We head to the kitchen and end up washing the dishes together. Once done, we turn off the lights and leave, heading upstairs.
“So, uhm, I will go fetch Jennie’s SkinCeuticals kit. Do you want to stay in any of the guest rooms like last time or p>
He pauses, and the meaning of his unsaid words registers in my head. I gulp.
“Uhm, I will stay in the guest room next to yours p>
Disappointment flickers in his eyes, but it vanishes as quickly as it came.
gⲁ𝗅𝓝𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰0𝗺, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝖘𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝗶𝗻
“Alright then,” he continues. “Uhm, I will bring you the kit and some of my clothes soon p>
I simply nod, subconsciously picking at my fingers to distract myself from how stupid I feel. Why didn’t I say yes to his unspoken offer? I mean, why did I even agree to stay the night with him if we are to sleep in different rooms? But I don’t trust myself to be a good girl. So I will stick to my stupid choice.
We reach his room upstairs, and I walk over to the one on the left, right beside his.
“The door is already open,” Asher notifies me before turning down the corridor. He disappears into a room at the far end on the left. that is where the kit is.
I open my door and step into the guest room. The air inside smells fresh. I switch on the lights, and my eyes immediately catch the soft blue sheets of the king-sized bed, looking so lovely and inviting. staying here isn’t such a bad choice after all.
I move to open the windows, letting the outside air mix with the cool breeze from the air conditioner. Then I let down the curtains and pull them close.
Just then, I could hear a couple of knocks on the door, instantly knowing it can only be Asher. I open it and see him standing there, holding the skincare kit in one hand and his fresh clothes in the other.