bChapter /bb234 /b

    Who knows how he even remembered that detail.

    Elissa hesitated for a split second before epting the chocte.

    “Thanks.”

    She was about to head out when his voice stopped her. “That’s it? You’re just leaving?”

    The man’s hand closed casually around her wrist, his ivoice /izy and drawling. He sounded easygoing, but there was an edge to it that said

    otherwise.

    A sharp knock at the door made Elissa’s heart pound. She reached up, tugged open Rowan’s shirt cor, and quickly pressed a kiss to his corbone. With nimble fingers, she fastened the buttons again.

    She’d learned her lesson after thest two times–no more leaving lipstick marks behind.

    While Rowan was still caught off guard, Elissa slipped out the door–and walked right into Frank.

    He reached out to steady her by the shoulder. Elissa knew he’d been waiting outside, but she still flinched instinctively, her nerves betraying her before she managed to collect herself.

    “You’re here?” she asked, trying to sound calm.

    “Yeah,” Frank replied.

    His gaze flicked ito /ithe crack of the door behind her, but his expression stayed neutral. “Why weren’t you downstairs?”

    Elissa lifted the chocte in her hand. “My brother insisted Ie up and get this for him.”

    Frank nced at the wrapper and smiled, warm and familiar. “That’s an old brand. Any good?”

    Elissa nodded. “Yeah, I loved it when I was a kid.”

    17:13

    Frank studied her delicate face, his smile easy. “Mind if I try a piece?”

    Her brows drew together in a fleeting frown. She hesitated.

    Rowan never liked her being around Frank more than necessary. If he found out she’d given away the chocte he’d just handed her…

    Knowing how unreasonable Rowan could be, she shuddered to think what

    trouble he’d make for her.

    She was still searching for a way to refuse when Frank teased, “What, don’t want to share? Aren’t you a little old to be so protective of your food?”

    Elissa rubbed her nose, letting him off the hook with a reluctant, almost sheepish smile.

    Frank offered his hand. “Come on.”

    “Frank.”

    Matriarch Paige Murphy appeared, her tone unusually pleasant. “Since you’re already here, why not stay for dinner?”

    Elissa knew Mrs. Murphy still hadn’t given up. Maybe she was just holding on to some unspoken grudge, unwilling to let things go.

    Together, they all walked toward the dining room. Frank pulled out a chair for Elissa.

    She was unused to his attentiveness–and now that they were divorced, she wanted nothing more than to keep her distance. But under Mrs. Murphy’s watchful eye, she had no choice but to y along.

    Frank adjusted her chair as she sat, making sure she wasfortable, every gesture thoughtful and precise.

    He then undid a button on his suit jacket and reached for the chair next to hers. Just as he was about to sit, a sudden chill swept over him.

    He looked again–and saw someone already seated there.

    Frank recognized Rowan and smiled politely. “Didn’t see youe out

    earlier. Thought you weren’t having dinner at home tonight.”

    Elissa didn’t need to look up; the familiar scent of Rowan’s cologne already told her he was near.

    Rowan’s voice was as cool and t as ever. “In my own home, do I need anyone’s permission to eat dinner?”

    Frank didn’t argue. He knew he’d overstepped–after all, he was just the brother–inw. He crossed to sit on the other side of the table instead.

    Elissa noticed Matriarch Paige Murphy’s expression sour. She shot Elissa a look, silently urging her to swap seats and sit by Frank.

    Elissa pretended not to notice, quietly focusing on her meal.

    As long as Frank kept denying the divorce rumors, the old woman couldn’t force anything.

    Frank, ever the gentleman, peeled a shrimp for Elissa and spoke up for her: “It’s fine, it doesn’t matter where you sit. Elissa and Rowan grew up together–they’re close.”

    There was a time when Elissa had longed for Frank to bring her home to the Murphy family. Now, she dreaded the thought.

    The only relief was knowing Matriarch Paige Murphy would stop

    suspecting anything, and at least for now, she wouldn’t have to marry into the Crest family.

    After dinner, Elissa naturally left with Frank.

    With Mrs. Murphy’s eyes fixed on her, she had no choice but to get into the passenger seat.

    Even after the car had driven some distance, she could still feel a prickling at the back of her neck, like a snake was watching her.

    “You barely ate anything at dinner,” Frank observed as he drove. He knew the Murphy family wasn’t as kind to her as they seemed. “Want to grab a

    17:13 #

    bite somewhere else?”

    “No, thanks.”

    Elissa refused, her voice t.

    The rest of the ride passed in silence.

    Soon, they arrived at Vistapeak Gardens.

    Just as she unfastened her seatbelt and stepped out, Frank caught her wrist. He looked at her, his gaze steady. “I did help you out tonight. Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

    They were both adults–Elissa knew exactly what “invite me in” meant.

    bChapter /bb235 /b