A few secondster, Amara watched as Finnian approached her with an apron draped over his arm. He slipped it on, a red and blue checkered number, and with wide eyes, she blurted out, "Finnian, what on earth are you doing?"<fnd2da> Readplete version only at f?ndnovel</fnd2da>


    Finnian, with his tall stature and striking good looks, was already a sight to behold in his light gray loungewear. But an apron? That was a different story entirely.


    For a man who seemed more like the dashing hero in a romance novel than a domestic sort, wearing an apron seemed strangely out of ce.


    "I need you to teach me how to make soup," Finnian said earnestly. "I want to make some for my granddad."


    Finnian was known for his deep sense of family duty, but usually, he demonstrated it through grand gestures. This level of personal involvement in the small things was unusual for him, and Amara found it surprisingly endearing.


    She couldn''t refuse him. Imagining Mr. Kevin Everly sipping soup made by his grandson was too heartwarming. So she nodded, and they headed to the kitchen together.


    "What soup are we making, Finnian?" Amara asked as they entered.


    "Chicken and corn chowder," he replied. "The ingredients are already washed and prepped-just guide me through the steps."


    "Sure thing."


    Amara donned her own apron and took her ce by the stove. "Can you light the stove? I''ll get some water in the pot."


    "Yeah, I can handle that."


    Finnian gave a subtle nod to the housekeeper, who understood immediately and ushered the rest of the staff out, closing the kitchen door quietly behind them.


    Standing by the stove, Amara softly exined each step of the soup-making process.


    Her hair was pinned up with a clip, and she wore minimal makeup, entuating her gentle beauty. Finnian couldn''t help but wonder if this was how she looked every time she cooked for him over the past three years.


    s


    Working side by side, he added ingredients to the pot under Amara''s guidance. They sautéed the chicken and vegetables first then added


    water to simmer.  s


    The process wasn''tplicated, and soon, the soup was bubbling away, filling the kitchen with a savory aroma that was hard to resist.


    Amara''s stomach gave a little growl, and she sniffed the air lightly. Finnian caught her little gesture and teased, "Getting hungry?"


    "No, no," Amara replied, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Just checking if it


    smells right. If not, we might need some extra seasoning."


    Finnian said nothing but let a brief, charming smile y on his lips.


    Amara caught that smile and instinctively looked down. His smile was something


    to behold, though it was rare due to his typically reserved demeanor.


    Suddenly, Finnian''s warm hand brushed against her waist, and Amara flinched as if touched by fire. "Finnian..."


    "Hold still. Your apron''se loose. Let me fix it."


    Moving behind her, Finnian gently tied the apron strings, his fingers deft and careful.


    He stood so close that Amara could feel his firm chest almost against her back and his warm breath on her neck, sending shivers down her spine.


    Her neck prickled with goosebumps, and the sensation of his hands on her waist was heightened by the fact that she couldn''t see him. Her heart raced as she bit her lip, trying to Steady herself.  s