<b>Chapter </b><b>105 </b>


    Briar felt a bit guilty under Ashton’s meaningful gaze. “Ahem, I was just saying it casually.”


    Ashton withdrew his gaze, suppressing a smile. “It’s fine. After all, not many dare to say that in front of me.”


    Briar fell silent.


    Ellen, who had been feeling remorseful ever since they left the police station, finally broke intoughter at seeing her usually <bposed </b><b>Briar </b>suddenly flustered.


    With Ellenughing out loud, the rest of the group at the table also burst intoughter. Even Brandon smiled in amusement.


    Briar truly was bold. But when she got sheepish, she looked unexpectedly adorable.


    The atmosphere at the table immediately became lively. Just then, the dishes started arriving.


    Everyone picked up their drinks and began to dig in.


    Briar also reached out, intending to grab a beer. But just before her hand touched the bottle, it was intercepted midway.


    Turning her head, she heard Ashton speak with deliberate seriousness. “Kids don’t drink.”


    Briar replied, “I’m an adult now. My ID says I’m 18.”


    But Ashton still didn’t give it to her. He passed the beer to Frank and the others instead, then popped open a can of c for her with one hand. “Still no.”


    Briar grumbled as she took the Coke and clinked cans with Ellen, who had also been given one.


    Ellen could barely contain herughter.


    In her eyes, Briar was always cool, eloquent, strong, and made people feel safe. Nobody thought that, in private, her personality was actually this endearing.


    Ashton preferred lighter vors and, since this was his first time eating at a street barbecue, he didn’t eat much. Most of the time, he wore disposable gloves and peeled crayfish for Briar.


    Briar hardly touched the crayfish shells herself. Ashton had peeled every piece of shrimp meat she ate.


    This scene not only left Frank and the others stunned, but it also caught the attention of nearby tables, especially the girls, who watched with envy and jealousy.


    They nced from Ashton to their boyfriends and couldn’t help butpare. The contrast was frustrating.


    At first, Briar didn’t notice the strange nces. Her attention was fully on the skewers and ready–to–eat shrimp. But once she realized people were sneaking peeks at their table, especially at her, she finally caught on.


    She leaned toward Ashton, who was still peeling shrimp, and whispered, “Mr. Wade, what’s going on? Why do they all seem to be <b>looking </b>at


    me?<b>” </b>


    Ashton had already noticed earlier. But since the feeling was new to him, he hadn’t done anything to stop it.


    Now that he saw Briar was ufortable, his expression turned sharp as he scanned <b>the </b>surroundings. <b>Those </b><b>peeking </b><b>at </b><b>their </b><b>table </b><b>quickly </b>looked away under his icy stare.


    – 1518 Th? <b>14 </b><b>Ang </b>n


    He said, “Ignore them. Just eat.”


    Briar nodded and didn’t press further. She lowered her head and continued eating


    Frank was speechless.


    He wanted to capture Ashton desperately trying to impress Briar and post it in the fantily group chat. This level of devotion was almod ever


    the–top.


    He’d only ever seen between married couples like their parents or uncles and aunts. But Ashton wasn’t even officially dating Briat yet.


    ‘Isn’t he moving a bit too fast?‘ Brandon mused.


    Then again, considering that Ashton had never dated before, the only rtionship knowledge he had probably came from observing the older generation during family gatherings…


    Frank thought he should quietly ask Brandon to find Ashton a love coach.


    After finishing their barbecue feast, everyone left with full bellies and a lingering smell of grilled food clinging to them, each returning to their


    own homes.


    Briar and Ellen still rode back in Ashton’s car. Briar first dropped Ellen off, then leisurely strolled home.


    At her doorstep, she found Ashton still standing there, as if deliberately waiting for her.


    He stood with Brandon beside the car, one hand holding a cigarette and the other in his pocket. Bathed in moonlight and streemp glow, he exuded an indescribable allure as smoke curled upward.


    When Briar said Ashton was beautiful, she hadn’t been joking.


    From the moment she first saw him, he had left an indelible impression on her heart. The more she got to know him, the more perfect he


    seemed.


    Alexia once said, “When you look at a man and can only see his strengths, that means your heart has been moved. And being moved is the beginning of love.”


    Briar tightened the fingers she had buried in her pockets. She could admire him, but falling in love was off–limits.


    Ashton noticed her lingering gaze and looked over. Naturally, he put out his cigarette, and Brandon followed suit, flicking his own away.


    When she walked up, Briar was the first to speak. “Ashton, did you have something to say to me?”


    Ashton nodded. “Want toe in <i>and </i>sit for a while?”


    Briar had no objections. She turned and followed him into the courtyard. Brandon didn’t follow, staying in the car, which made it clear Ashton wasn’t nning to spend the night here.


    After a moment’s thought, Briar asked, “Ashton, how have you been sleeping these days?”


    Ashton led her to the sofa area in the living room. “Not bad<i>.</i>”


    That clearly meant he still couldn’t sleep.