Just my luck. I took a deep breath, trying to sound calm and indifferent. “Mr. Jennings, I’m busy right now.”


    “If you won’te down, should Ie up?” Edward knew exactly how to push my buttons.


    “Ne… don’te up,” I said quickly, genuinely worried. The office was full of gossipy women, and if Edward showed up, it would spread live wildfire.


    “If you don’t want to talk near the office, just name a ce, and I’ll meet you there,” Edward said, sensing my unease and ying the part of the understanding gentleman.


    I quickly named a quiet café and even reserved a private room in


    After making the arrangements, I hurried over in my car.


    vance.


    As soon as I pushed the door open, I saw Edward already sitting on the sofa, sipping coffee. He lookedpletely different from yesterday–no longer. sickly but full of energy, like he could take on the world. ‘Was his illness just an act?‘ I wondered.


    “What a cunning man…‘ I thought.


    Edward had ordered Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, the most expensive kind. The rich aroma filled the air as he sat there, calm andposed.


    I clutched my handbag, just stood there awkwardly at the door for a couple of seconds. He kept quiet, so I had nothing to say either.


    When I sat down across from him, he slid a coffee cup toward me. “Are you mad?”


    ‘Shouldn’t I be? I thought. ‘Does Edward even get what boundaries are? What kind of uncle keeps watching a woman who could end up as his nephew’s


    wife?‘


    ‘Is Edward really just going to stomp all over what’s right?‘ I wondered.


    Lignored the coffee and didn’t even look at him. I just said, “I’m with Ryan now.”


    Edward let go of the coffee cup, and it hit the floor with a sharp crack, shattering right next to him.


    I knew he did it on purpose. Poor thing, that cup never did anything wrong.


    Edward’s face, calm just moments ago, now looked like a storm was about to break. When his eyes locked onto mine, my heart skipped a beat.


    My mind was all over the ce, but some things just had to be said.


    Letting emotions pile up is dangerous. If I keep bottling things up, I might not even make it to sixty–and all those years paying into my retirement fund, and I’d never get a cent back. No way I’m letting that happen.


    “After I fainted that day, did you kiss me?” I stared straight at Edward. “Did you do anything else?”


    My words hit him like a baseball bat–he was totally caught off guard. Fo


    once, his cold mask cracked and a blush actually showed on his face.


    I red at him, pissed. “Mr. Jennings, do you really think that was okay?”


    “I saved you,” Edward said. After a moment of embarrassment, he looked up at me. “Is it really too much to ask for a little thank you<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    Me: …


    Seriously, what kind of twisted person demands a thank you like that?


    Edward had been through all kinds of drama, so stuff like this between men and women was just whatever to him.


    <b>“</b>You picked up on it, huh?” Edward was even more straightforward than me. Tva kinda got a thing for you!


    My fingers instinctively clenched the hem of my dress. This man was unbelievably brazen.


    Edward gave a quiet, self–deprecating chuckle. “Honestly, I’m surprised myself. Why do I like you? I’ve been trying to figure out where leant wr?ng t?? met more gorgeous women than I can count, but somehow, you’re the one who broke into my heart?


    “Don’t try to make it sound all noble,” I snapped, ring at him. “At the end of the day, you’re just after looks. It’s shameless”


    I was stunned.


    Instead of getting mad, Edward justughed.


    What’s


    what shameless means, huh? Guess I’m really just chasing after a pretty <b>face </b>