bChapter /bb220 /b

Rowan watched her rummaging around in the kitchen, and suddenly, the thought struck him: he didn’t want her to leave.

Wherever she was, that’s where home felt like.

Elissa carried out two sets of tes and forks. She was just about to sit down across from Rowan when he pulled out the chair right next to him. “Sit here,” he said.

It was almostically couple–like.

But with the unspoken agreement hanging between them, Elissa didn’t hesitate. She slid into the seat

beside him and began to eat.

As she tasted the food, a flicker of recognition crossed her face. “This vor… I feel ilike /iI’ve had this

before.”

Rowan gave her a sidelong nce. “Isn’t this just how homemade cooking always tastes?”

Janice had always been a brilliant cook; her home–style meals could rival any private chef’s.

But aside from Rowan andn, hardly anyone else had ever tasted her ifood/i.

Elissa considered for a moment. “True enough.”

“Eat up.” Rowan ced a piece of sweet and sour ribs on her te, watching as she bowed her head, cheeks puffed out adorably as she chewed. For a second, a rare softness flickered in his deep–set

eyes.

Anyone who saw him like this would think they were imagining things.

Rowan, showing that kind of expression? Impossible–must be seeing ghosts.

Outside, the sunset faded iand /ithe city lights began to glow.

Elissa ate the sweet and sour rib Rowan had served her, and for a moment, she felt transported back

to childhood.

Once, she and Rowan had shared countless dinners together.

In fact, exactly 3,336 of them.

Every night, they’d have dinner together. Not once did either of them miss it.

They’d spent 3,336 days side by side.

Elissa didn’t know why, but suddenly her eyes felt hot.

She couldn’t quite exin it. Even though she was supposed to be angry with Rowan, right now she just felt this ache in her chest, like the bsadness /bwas welling up from her heart and spilling over, unstoppable.

Rowan noticed something was off and raised an eyebrow. “Is it so good it made you cry?”

”

33

b18:03 /b

The teasing lilt in his voice snapped her back, and any trace of tears vanished bas /bshe ducked her head and focused on her food.

As dinner wound down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her.

She nced up and found Rowan half–turned toward her, elbow propped nonchntly on the table, his dark eyes never leaving her.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Elissa dabbed her mouth with a napkin and ventured, “I’m going to take a shower, okay?”

After all, sooner orter, she’d have to face the music.

She certainly didn’t believe Rowan had invited her over just for dinner.

A faint smirk yed at his lips; clearly, he was pleased with her understanding. With a tilt of his chin toward the bathroom, he said, “Go ahead.”

When Elissa stepped into the bathroom, she realized Rowan had even set out a nightgown for her on the shelf.

But there was only one towel–he hadn’t gone out of his way to prepare anything extra.

She headed to the master bath, leaving the bedroom door ajar. From his seat in the dining room, Rowan could see the sliver of light spilling from the doorway.

And he could hear the rush of water.

The shower ran for a while, then stopped; she must have been brushing her teeth.

A couple minutester, the water started up again, softer this time–the sound of her showering.

They used the same brand of body wash. She’d use his towel to dry herself, slip into the nightgown he’d chosen for her.

Rowan’s gaze darkened, a flush creeping up to the tips of his ears as his Adam’s apple bobbed.

When Elissa finished drying her hair and reached for the door, she felt a tremor of nerves.

After all, it was her first time.

She exhaled quietly, gathered her courage, and stepped out.

Rowan loungedzily on the sofa, beckoning her over with a crook of his finger. “Come here.”

His voice bwas /blow and rough, so different from before.

Elissa hadn’t expected him to prefer the living room. She hesitated, then asked, “Can we… go to the bed instead?”