His words were met with silence. Everyone in the room froze. Ava dropped the potato that she had just about to cut. Gai–who had been pouring wine–allowed the ss to overflow. Richard almost cut himself with a knife, but thankfully, the sharp de just missed his hand. Aiden was staring at me like I’d just told him I had two days to live.

    A full minute went by in an awkward silence.

    I let out a shakyugh and gently hit Alexander on the shoulder. “Alexander likes to keep things casual with everyone in the office after hours,” I announced. “He says that it boosts morale.”

    “Right,” Ava said and picked up the potato that had fallen to the ground and threw it in the garbage. “That makes sense.

    i” /i

    “Perfect sense,” Gai agreed and grabbed a wad of paper towels to clean up the wine she spilled.

    Richard didn’t say a word as he continued to prepare the lobster. Aiden stalked off to the living room and sat on the couch facing away from

    everyone.

    I put my hands on my hips and red at Alexander.

    This was going to be a long night.

    *Olivia*

    Since I couldn’t scold Alexander the way I wanted to right now, the best thing to do was ignore him. I walked past him and went into the kitchen.

    Gai handed me a ss of chilled wine, and I took it gratefully.

    “Alexander seems to be in a good mood tonight,” she said as she poured a ss for herself.

    I shrugged nomittedly.

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    She lowered her voice and leaned in. “I wouldn’t take his teasing to heart. He likes to tease everyone when he’s in a good mood. Not just you.”

    “I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Richard said. “I know Alexander pretty well and-”

    Ava interrupted Richard when she noticed things were about to get even more awkward than before. Ava’s apartment was small, and Richard was talking so loud that he had attracted the attention of Alexander and Aiden, who were sitting in the living room.

    “Why don’t you go hang out with Alexander in the living room,” Ava suggested pointedly and tugged on Richard’s arm, practically dragging him out of the kitchen.

    “What about the lobster?” Richard protested.

    “Aiden can do that. We lived next to the ocean as kids. We’re pros at preparing seafood,” Ava said.

    Aiden seemed to cheer up as he came into the kitchen and stood beside me. He got to work on the lobster immediately. His hands were

    confident and sure as he dropped them into a pot to boil.

    “You’re good at that,” Iplimented and sipped my wine.

    Aiden grinned. “Thanks!”

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    I could feel someone’s intense gaze on me. When I looked up, I wasn’t surprised to find that Alexander was ring at Aiden, probably just for talking to me,

    I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore him as I helped Ava prepare her homemade mashed potatoes. But as I peeled the skin of the potatoes, I could still feel Alexander’s searing gaze.

    When we were in the corner away from everyone, Ava smirked at me.

    “What?” I asked her as she seasoned the potatoes.

    “Nothing,” she said in a sing–songey voice.

    “Why did you even have to invite him tonight?” I grumbled. “You could have said no when he asked.”

    “Yeah, but isn’t this so much more fun!” she said and giggled.

    “I’m having a st,” I said dryly and sipped my wine.

    “Oh, don’t be such a party pooper, Oli.”

    My stomach swooped at the sound of Alexander’s nickname for me on her lips. “Please don’t call me that,” I said.

    But this just spurred my friend on who took on a lower voice, trying to mimic Alexander’s deep tone. “Oli, you’re the only one for me!” she teased.

    I couldn’t help butugh and bump her shoulder with mine. “You’re ridiculous.”

    She grinned. “That’s why you love me,” she joked.

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