?Chapter 154:


    “Then…” Hadley hesitated before mumbling, “Do you want me to do it for you?”


    The second the words left her mouth, she regretted them. No one annoyed Eric more than she did.


    “Or maybe—”


    “Hurry up!” Eric cut her off, impatience shing in his eyes. “Just get it over with. This ce is a joke. Not even an elevator.”


    Hadley hesitated for a moment, but Eric wasn’t having it. “What are you standing there for? Do it already.”


    “Alright…” Still feeling a little dazed, Hadley gave a small nod and lifted her hand as she stepped closer.


    The difference in their heights became painfully obvious. Without the extra height from her heels, Hadley barely reached Eric’s shoulders, making the contrast between their heights even more noticeable against his towering 6’2″ frame.


    Eric seemed to take note of that too. When Hadley stretched onto her toes, he exhaled sharply and leaned down, clearing his throat. “Can you even reach?”


    “I can.”


    Hadley gave a slight nod before dabbing the towel against his skin. A soft, fresh scent clung to the fabric—the same one she always carried.


    Eric found himself distracted. With her this close, he could make out every tiny detail of her face. Her skin was impossibly smooth…


    Hadley’s skin waspletely unblemished, as if the slightest touch could leave a mark. Eric’s throat felt dry. He swallowed hard.


    Absorbed in wiping his face, Hadley didn’t notice his gaze. She worked in silence, her touch light and careful.


    So, she has this side to her too, Eric thought quietly. The Hadley he remembered wasn’t like this. In his mind, she had always been loud, always in his space.


    “Eric, did you see Danica today?”


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    “Eric, when are youing home?”


    “Eric, who was that girl you were talking to? You better spill!”


    “Eric, don’t even think about looking at other girls, and definitely don’t smile at them. Got it?”


    Eric wondered if things would have turned out differently between them if she had been this soft-spoken before.


    “All done.” Hadley pulled back, lowering the towel.


    Snapped out of his thoughts, Eric felt a strange, lingering emptiness.


    “Do you want something to drink?” Hadley asked, setting the towel aside and turning to pour him a ss. “I only have water, though.”


    “Yeah, that’s fine.”


    Eric watched as she moved, then gestured toward the hall. “Mind if I use your bathroom?”


    “Sure, it’s on the left.”


    He disappeared inside and returned a momentter, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it onto the couch.


    As soon as his eyesnded on Hadley again, he caught her hesitating. “Uh… Sorry, I don’t have any spare cups. Want me to run downstairs and grab you a bottle?”


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