Shawn gleefully sauntered out of the kitchen with a ss of water in hand. His spirits were visibly lifted by the conversation he overheard. “A man’s gotta focus on his career, right?”
Zach had been wandering around the house for the past few evenings, constantly revolving around Mirabe, which was starting to get on Shawn’s nerves.
Delh cast her husband a knowing nce, immediately catching onto his thinly veiled enthusiasm. “You got your way,” she said with a hint of amusement.
Shawn simply took a sip of his water, his eyes crinkling with a smile. Even though he had already eaten, he sat down at the dining table, cradling his ss, and quietly watched Mirabe eat her meal.
Despite being ustomed to her father’s watchful gaze, Mirabe couldn’t help but look up. “Dad?”
Shawn gently nudged the bowl of sd closer to her. “Eat up, kiddo. You study so hard every day. You’re getting all skin and bones.”
A twitch of helplessness flickered at the corner of Mirabe’s lips. Ever since she returned to the Davis household, she felt like she had been fed well enough to start rounding out at the cheeks. How could her dear old dad not see that?
Delh caught her daughter’s look of yful exasperation, and couldn’t hold back augh. “Oh, Shawn, give it a rest. At this rate, your daughter’s going to stage a protest.”
Shawn looked up, puzzled. “Protest? What protest?” After asking, he turned his baffled gaze back to Mirabe. She was always such a good girl.
Delh shook her head and then rubbed her slightly sore shoulders. “Shawn, let the girl eat. Why don’t youe and give me a shoulder rub?”
“Sure thing.” Shawn stood up and followed <b>his </b>wife to the living room, where he began to knead her shoulders with practiced ease.
Mirabe observed the couple from the dining room. One looked at the other with tender eyes. while the other’s face was a picture of bliss. The atmosphere was so warm and fuzzy that it practically bubbled with pink hearts. With a silent sigh, Mirabe turned away from the unexpected disy of affection.
After finishing her meal and tidying up the kitchen, Mirabe stepped out to find Delh had left the living room. Shawn was already preparing his special coffee set, steeping the expensive. blend Mirabe had brought home a few days ago. He beckoned her over. “Come join your old man for a cup or two.”
Mirabe’s lips quirked. Anyone would’ve thought they were about to share a bottle of wine.
“What have you guys been up totely?” she asked casually, settling onto the sofa and taking a cup of coffee.
Shawn and Delh had already nned a surprise for their daughter. He gave a vague response. “Oh, thepanynded a big ount, so everyone’s pulling extra hours,” he deflected.
“Really?” Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her beautiful eyes clearly skeptical. “<b>Feels </b>like you’re keeping something from me.”
Shawn’s hand trembled, nearly spilling his coffee. He coughed and asserted with feigned seriousness, “Honestly, what could we possibly hide from you?”
Mirabe let out a prolonged “Oh,” her tone rich with implication.
“Too clever by half,” Shawn thought, quickly averting his gaze and focusing on his coffee.
Mirabe shook her head, not pressing further. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Setting down<i>. </i>her cup, she fished her phone out and saw a message from James on Messenger. Her fingers flitted across the screen to read it. [Your incense worked wonders. Thanks<b>.</b><b>] </b>
Mirabe’s eyebrows arched yfully as she lounged on the sofa, replying<b>. </b>[Of course, it did. That scent cost a pretty penny, you know!]
Meanwhile, on the other end, James was looking at the online store that Mirabe sent him. It sold the aromatherapy incense <b>“</b>Incense of Calm” and was priced at a cool $299.