Chapter 200
Gordon’s lips curled into a rare smile. “Well, what do you know? There’s actually something you can’t do p>
Caitlin laughed. “Seems like I must be pretty impressive in your eyes, Master Ninth p>
“You are impressive,” he replied, nodding with a sincerity that caught her off- guard.
She’d expected him to tease her back, but his straightforward agreement left her a bit embarrassed.
“Catie, wait here a sec. I’m going to grab us a bike p>
“But I don’t know how to ride a bike p>
“That’s fine-I do. There are some with backseats over there. I’ll take you,” Gordon said, already heading off.
“Alright, go ahead,” Caitlin replied, giving a small nod.
Gordon returned quickly, wheeling over a little blue bike.
He propped one foot on a pedal, the other on the pavement, then shot her a sidelong look. “Hop on, Catie p>
It was just an ordinary bicycle, but somehow he made it look like a million-dollar sports car. That was the power of confidence, she thought—the very definition of standing out in a crowd.
Caitlin played along, perching herself sideways on the backseat, one hand holding her phone, the other lightly resting on his slim, strong waist.
“Hang on tight, Catie,” Gordon called back as the wind picked up.
She grinned. “Wait, are you actually going to speed on this thing p>
“Of course!” Gordon replied, a hint of pride in his voice. “Back in school, nobody could out-ride me p>
Caitlin raised an eyebrow. “Says the guy who’s bragging p>
The words had barely left her lips when the bike shot forward, picking up surprising speed. The wind whipped across her cheeks, and she instinctively tightened her arms around his waist to keep her balance.
Turns out, he wasn’t exaggerating after all.
Gordon felt her arms circle him, and a rush of energy shot through his legs. Out of Caitlin’s line of sight, his lips curled into a pleased, boyish smile.
The night air tasted sweet-almost intoxicating.
Following the GPS, they arrived at the food stand Caitlin had mentioned in just ten minutes. By now, a line had already formed.
Caitlin hopped off. “I’ll get in line. You park the bike and come find me p>
“Will do p>
As he watched her walk away, Gordon’s expression grew a little complicated. He was starting to regret pedaling quite so fast.
After locking up the bike, he jogged over to her. “Catie, there’s an ice cream stand over there. What flavor do you want? I’ll grab us some p>
“Chocolate, please p>
“Got it. Be right back p>
Gordon went to buy the ice cream.
“Two chocolate cones, please p>
“No problem, that’ll be five bucks,” the vendor replied.
He paid quickly, and in no time, he was back, handing Caitlin her cone. “Here you go, Catie p>
“Thanks p>
They ate their ice cream as they waited in line, and the usually reserved Gordon was suddenly full of stories, even making her laugh out loud.
Just then, a leaf drifted down and landed in Caitlin’s hair.
“Hold still, Catie p>
“What’s up?” she asked.
“You’ve got something in your hair.” Gordon reached out, brushing the leaf away.
As he leaned down, his shadow fell over her, and she caught a whiff of his cologne fresh pine, clean and inviting. For reasons she couldn’t explain, her heart seemed to skip a beat, as if struck by summer thunder.
Nearby, a couple was also waiting in line. The girl glanced at Caitlin and Gordon, her eyes full of longing, before turning to her boyfriend with a frown. “See how sweet he is? Not only is he handsome, but he’s thoughtful, too. The minute his girlfriend asked for napkins, he handed them over. And then he even picked a leaf out of her hair p>
Her boyfriend, eyes glued to his phone, barely looked up. “Alright, alright, next time I’ll get leaves out of your hair too p>
“That’s not the point!” she huffed. “You’re always on your precious phone, no matter where we are. I’m done. Eat by yourself!” With that, she spun around and stormed off.
The guy just stared after her, baffled. What’s wrong with checking my phone? He’d always been like this, even when he was single. Girls these days, he thought, are just too sensitive-impossible to please.
Gordon watched the scene unfold, momentarily stunned. Luckily, he’d done his homework-no phone in front of Caitlin. Clearly, he’d have to keep that up and maybe try even harder in the future.
After about ten minutes, it was finally their turn.
Caitlin grabbed a metal tray and handed it to Gordon. “Don’t hold back-pick whatever you want! My treat tonight p>
“Alright, don’t worry, I won’t be shy,” he said with a grin.
It was Gordon’s first time at a street food stand like this, and he hesitated until he noticed someone else opening the cooler to choose ingredients. Mimicking them, he started picking out food.
“Why are you only grabbing veggies?” Caitlin asked, piling a generous stack of skewered meats onto the tray. “The grilled oysters here are really good-want to try some p>
Oysters? He hadn’t even dared eat garlic lately, afraid it might make him think things he shouldn’t. Gordon coughed awkwardly, trying to hide his embarrassment. “Uh, sure. Sounds good p>
Whatever crossed his mind, it left his face burning red-right down to the tips of his ears.
“Let’s add ten oysters, then.” Fortunately, Caitlin was too busy picking out her favorites to notice his flustered state.
Meanwhile, Skyler and his friend Ike were driving around looking for a late-night bite. Suddenly, Ike, riding in the passenger seat, caught sight of a familiar figure at the food stall by the road. He was so shocked he stammered, “H-holy crap! Skyler, look over there isn’t that Master Ninth p>