?Chapter 1874:


    “Alright, let’s eat something,” Hadley announced.


    “Hadley, Miss Hond…” Zane leaned over, serving them himself. “Try this.”


    The conversation drifted naturally, and Eric’s name didn’te up again.


    A short whileter, Colleen finally broke free and bounded over, grinning from ear to ear.


    “Hadley! Elissa! I’m here!” She wrapped both women in an exuberant hug. “I’m parched! And my cheeks are sore from smiling and nonstop talking!”


    Hadley caught Brady watching Colleen with bright, eager eyes and suppressed a chuckle. “You’re barking up the wrong tree—we’re not feeling sorry for you.”


    “Exactly,” Elissa added with mock gravity. “What’s that got to do with us?”


    “Ugh…” Colleen pouted, clearly ying along.


    “Colleen.” Brady immediately offered her a ss. “Here—have some water!”


    “Thanks!”


    Colleen’s smile blossomed with delight—she knew they were just teasing her. Instead of taking the ss, she bent toward Brady, letting him hold it as she sipped.


    “How does that taste?” Brady asked, his grin yful.


    “It’s…” Colleen hesitated. It was just water—wasn’t it? Or had Brady meant something else? The thought of not introducing him to her family tonight stirred a pang of guilt. Her smile turned sweeter. “So sweet.”


    “Really?” Brady’s grin grew mischievous. “It’s my ss—of course you’d find it sweet.”


    Colleen froze mid-sip. Her cheeks flushed bright red. How could he say something like that—in front of everyone!


    Hadley and Elissa burst outughing, dramatically covering their eyes as if to shield themselves from the scene. “We saw nothing! Heard nothing!”


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    “Indeed.” Nearby, Zane kept a straight face. “Likewise.”


    “Zane!”


    Colleen shot Zane a mock re, which only made Hadley and Elissaugh even harder.


    Zane chuckled as well and served more food to thedies.


    At the next table, Eric sat stone-faced, barely touching his food.


    What could they possibly beughing at? They seemed so happy.


    Colleen’s time was limited. After engaging in conversation for a pleasant stretch, she offered her apologies and prepared to take her leave.


    Before her departure, Brady caught her finger with his own in a gentle gesture and murmured close to her ear, “Will you call me tonight?”


    “I haven’t decided yet!” Colleen lifted her chin with yful defiance, her expression dancing between mischief and coy uncertainty. “We’ll have to see what the evening brings.”


    She then departed with a radiant smile illuminating her features.


    Brady had learned to read her subtle signals over time, and he understood the meaning behind her words perfectly. She would definitely call. His only task was to wait with quiet patience.


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