On the way back,n yed some music. They didn''t talk much, and Eleanor was lost in thought about her work, so he didn''t bother her.


    Arriving at the underground parking garage of Cloudcrest Manor, it was right around five o''clock. As they stepped out of the elevator,n asked, "Can I crash for dinner tonight?"


    Eleanor thought about it for a second and nodded. "Sure."


    When Eleanor got inside, Joslyn immediately asked, "Ma''am, is Evelyning home for dinner?"


    "Evelyn is having dinner with the Goodwin family and staying over tonight," Eleanor replied, then added, "Make enough for one more person this evening."


    Joslyn''s eyes lit up. Instantly guessing what was happening, she smiled. "Is Mr. Goodwin from downstairsing up for dinner?"


    Eleanor nodded. "Yes."


    "Right away, I''ll go prep everything!" Joslyn said happily, mentally running through the ingredients in the fridge and trying to remembern''s favorite dishes.


    Eleanor went upstairs to her study.


    Around seven o''clock, Joslyn had dinner mostly ready, just waiting on onest steamed dish.


    She went upstairs to Eleanor. "Ma''am, dinner is just about ready. Do you want to invite Mr. Goodwin up?"


    Eleanor checked the time and sentn a text: "Dinner is ready. Come on up."


    "Sure," he replied instantly.


    Joslyn suddenly acted as if she had just remembered an emergency. "Ma''am, I have an urgent matter back home and need to leave. Just leave the dishes in the sink tonight, and I''ll clean them first thing tomorrow morning."


    Eleanor paused, immediately realizing Joslyn was doing this to give her andn some time alone.


    "Joslyn, you don''t have to do this," Eleanor said bluntly.


    Caught in the act, Joslyn looked a bit embarrassed, but she was determined to leave. She smiled. "I''ll just put the food on the table and head out!"


    Going downstairs, Joslyn saw the steamed fish was perfectly done. She ted it, brought it to the dining table, then quickly went to her room, packed a small bag, and headed to the front door.


    Right on cue, the doorbell rang.


    Joslyn opened it with a beaming smile. "You''re here!"


    "Are you heading out, Joslyn?"n asked curiously.


    "I—I have a family emergency and need to head back. I won''t be back until


    tomorrow morning. Dinner is all set, so you two go ahead and eat!"


    With that, Joslyn slipped out the door. Princess trotted over to greetn, who petted her head as he swapped his shoes for slippers.


    Footsteps echoed from the hallway as Eleanor walked down the stairs, holding onto the railing.


    "You''re here," she noted.


    "Yeah."n''s eyes crinkled with a smile. "Joslyn just left for an emergency."


    Eleanor didn''t look at him. "Let''s eat."


    Eleanor sat down, and the dining room fell silent. The atmosphere was thick with a subtle, awkward tension.


    It was as if Joslyn''s deliberate departure had turned a somewhat natural setting into an intentionally intimate one.


    Sensing her difort,n initiated


    tation. "I suggest we invite Xavier for a pic thisras


    let the kids fly Kites on


    сар


    Eleanor thought it was a good idea and nodded. "Alright. You contact Xavier, then."


    "Will do."n nodded, cing a piece of food into her bowl. Eleanor paused her chewing, but didn''t look up, simply murmuring, "Thanks."


    "Do you have to work after this? Want to take Princess for a walk downstairs?" he asked.


    "Could you walk her for me? I still have some work to finish," she requested.


    He ced the most tender piece of the steamed fish belly into her bowl. Eleanor nced at the braised pork nearby, hesitated, and then picked up a piece. "Pass me your te."


    Her arms weren''t quite long enough to reach across easily.n smiled, holding his te out to ept the gesture.


    When his heated gaze fell on her, she almost regretted giving him the food. "Just eat. Stop staring at me," she mumbled.


    After the meal, Eleanor started clearing the table. Ian reached out to help.


    "No need. Just take Princess out. I''ve got this."


    "I''ll help," he insisted.


    After scraping the tes, she loaded the dishwasher whilen wiped down the counters.


    Once he finished, he called out to the dog. "Come on, Princess. Daddy''s taking you out to y."


    Stepping out of the kitchen, Eleanor


    couldn''t help but find it amusing.


    Catching her trying to suppressà smile he narrowed his eyes. "Doesn''t she call you Mommy?"


    Eleanor was momentarily speechless. She treated the dog like a child, but she had


    never explicitly used those titles.


    "Whatever works," she replied, not bothering to argue.


    Princess affectionately trotted over ton, nudging her head against his leg.


    He grabbed the leash and led the dog out.


    Down in the neighborhood,n walked her for half an hour before heading back up.


    He rang the bell. Eleanor was working in the living room and opened the door.


    Princess darted inside, meaningn didn''t really need to enter.


    "Can Ie in for a ss of water?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.