Chapter 500
For the first time since last night, the warmth between them vanished in an instant.
Eric couldn’t wrap his head around it. Even after everything, Hadley still seemed to keep him at arm’s length.
His brows furrowed as he studied her. “What’s on your mind?”
Hadley blinked up at him. “Why? You upset?”
She paused and then let out a quiet laugh, her tone light but deliberate. “You know, things are kind of perfect the way they are right now.” She leaned back slightly, her lips curving with amusement. “Seeing each other once in a while keeps things interesting. If we moved in together, all that excitement would wear off, and soon enough… we’d just start getting on each other’s nerves.”
“I wouldn’t.” Eric’s response was immediate, firm.
Hadley arched a brow. “Oh? You sure about that?”
Tilting her head, she shot him a knowing look. “Think back, Mr. Flynn. I used to be around you all the time, and if I remember correctly… you hated it.”
So, she really went there. The past—the version of him who had pushed her away at every turn.
His jaw tightened, but Eric couldn’t argue. She wasn’t wrong. He had been reckless with her before, taking for granted what he hadn’t realized he wanted until now.
For a moment, silence settled between them, thick and unspoken.
Hadley caught the shift in his expression, the way his mood darkened. Great, now he was brooding.
With a quiet sigh, she smirked and casually reached over, looping her pinky around his.
Eric’s sharp gaze flickered to her hand, and then back to her face. “What are you up to now?”
Hadley’s grin widened. She gestured toward her plate, eyes flicking up to meet his. “It’s too much—I won’t be able to finish it all. Help me out?”
Eric chuckled under his breath. She sure knew how to get her way.
And yet, without a second thought, his body moved on instinct. He took her plate, effortlessly giving in. “Alright, I’ll finish it.”
What could he do?
She had him wrapped around her finger. Everything about her—her tone, her words—was always just right. Not too forceful, not too timid. And that voice…
Her voice was soft, smooth, the kind that lingered in his ears long after she stopped speaking.
She had a bit of a temper, sure, but never in a way that pushed too far. With her, everything just felt right.
“Fine. We won’t talk about moving in together for now.” Letting out a breath, he leaned back. “But when you’re on break, you’ll stay here. You still need to check out the clothes.”
Hadley considered it for a second. Well… this arrangement worked for her too. If she wanted to conceive as soon as possible, she might as well take advantage of every opportunity she got to be with him.
“Alright.” She nodded, propping her chin in her hands, flashing him a playful smile. “Now hurry up and eat.”
Before Eric could respond, the doorbell rang.
“Oh!” Hadley perked up, pushing back her chair. “That must be those people from FOUR Hours! I’ll go see what they brought.”
That night was just as intoxicating as their last.