"Tastes pretty good, huh?"


    "Delicious! Food you catch yourself always tastes better."


    Calliope and the rest dug into their meal, eating with gusto and satisfaction.


    When they finished, everyone pitched in to clear the table and wash the dishes together.


    Afterward, the group decided to hang out and y some games for a while.


    They''d already made ns to head out and explore the area, but because Mavis was still recovering from her injury, Uriah offered to stay behind with her and let the others go have fun.


    "Mr. Stewart, maybe I should stay and look after Mavis instead," Norton spoke up, ncing at Uriah.


    Everyone turned to Uriah, waiting to see what he''d say.


    Calliope chimed in, "Mr. Stewart, to be honest, Mavis might feel a bit awkward if you''re here. I think it''s better if Norton stays. They get along really well. They always have something to talk about!"


    She winked at Mavis, "Right, Mavis?"


    Mavis opened her mouth to say she didn''t need anyone to babysit her, but Uriah cut in first, "I''m Mavis'' mentor, and actually, I have some things I need to discuss with her. I''ll stay and take care of her."


    His expression was stern, bordering on severe.<fn4423> Checktest chapters at Find~Novel</fn4423>


    He shot Norton a look, oneced with clear warning.


    Norton met his gaze,pletely unbothered. He stepped forward and said, "Mr. Stewart, Mavis is still recovering. Is there something so important that it can''t wait? Honestly, I''ve got something pretty important to talk to Mavis about too."


    He leaned in close to Uriah and said quietly, "I want to tell Mavis how I feel about her. Could you give us a little privacy, Mr. Stewart?"


    For a second, Uriah looked like he''d been hit by a bolt of lightning. He stared at Norton, eyes wide with disbelief.


    His eyes narrowed, and without another word, he grabbed Norton by the arm and pulled him outside.


    Once they were out the door, Uriah''s voice was icy cold. "You can''t tell Mavis you have feelings for her."


    "Why


    Norton asked, genuinely


    confused. "We''ve been getting along really welltely. I like her a lot. And I think she likes me too. We just We just click  s?novels


    "I want to date her."


    "Look, you''re Mavis'' mentor, and yeah, maybe you''re a bit older, and I know she''s been with you since she was a kid, but I respect that. If you have real reason why this is a bad idea willing to listen. But if you just don''t like me, or you just don''t want anyone else to be close to her, that''s not good enough."  s


    "Even if you are her mentor, you don''t get to decide who makes her happy."


    Norton stared Uriah down, his voice steady and determined.


    Uriah''s face darkened even more. He hadn''t expected this. The idea of Norton confessing to Mavis, and the possibility of them actually getting together-it was unbearable.  s


    No, he couldn''t let that happen.


    "I said no, and that''s final," Uriah snapped. "I have important things to discuss with


    Mavis. You go out with the others."


    His tone brooked no argument.


    Norton raised his eyebrows, clearly amused.


    Uriah was rattled, no doubt about it. Looks like Callie''s n worked, he thought.


    He''d definitely managed to get under Uriah''s skin.


    “Mr. Stewart, what''s your problem? If you don''t like Mavis, why can''t someone else care about her? You''re being way too controlling!"