Chapter 273

Vivian snapped back to reality, her fingers curling around a chilled water bottle from the wall-mounted fridge. She extended it toward Adrian without a word.

He didn't accept it. His gaze flicked to the sparkling water on the coffee table. "I prefer that one."

"Whatever," Vivian huffed, thrusting the bottle against his chest before pivoting toward the shoe rack. Her ballet flats hit the hardwood with more force than necessary.

Adrian twisted the cap open, tilting his head back as he drained half the bottle in one continuous swallow. The column of his throat moved hypnotically, catching the dim kitchen light.

Vivian disappeared into her bedroom, the door clicking shut behind her.

Adrian stared at the closed door, tightening the cap with a frustrated twist. He'd cut short an underwhelming site inspection in Crestwood, checked into the Harbor Grand, yet couldn't shake this restless energy pulling him toward Vivian's apartment.

The apron strings dangled from his fingers when hesitation struck. Leaving now would reduce him to nothing more than a temporary chef in her eyes.

With a scowl, he tossed the apron aside and began plating the meal.

Changed into soft cotton loungewear, Vivian lingered on the edge of her bed. The door creaked open unexpectedly, revealing Adrian leaning against the frame. "Dinner's served. Should I bring it here?"

"I'll eat at the table," she said, rising with deliberate slowness.

The dining surface held three artfully arranged dishes beside a steaming bowl: Szechuan beef slices, truffle-infused mashed potatoes, chilled okra salad, and wild mushroom bisque. Vivian's breath caught. His disastrous first attempt at pasta had led her to underestimate his culinary skills—not realizing her barren pantry had been the real limitation. Ethan's grocery delivery had clearly unleashed Adrian's true abilities.

As she settled into her chair, Adrian nudged the beef toward her. "Ethan brought enough chili peppers to stock a restaurant. Had to use them up—they were cluttering the fridge." His tone carried forced nonchalance.

The moment the spicy beef touched her tongue, Vivian recognized the careful calibration of heat and tenderness. "This is incredible," she admitted freely.

A glimmer of satisfaction crossed Adrian's features as he sampled the potatoes. "The ingredients were frozen. Not ideal."

Vivian picked up one of her street food skewers, offering him a glistening sausage stick with a teasing smile. "Try it? From my favorite vendor near campus."

Adrian's nose wrinkled. "You still eat street food? The hygiene standards—"

She yanked the skewer back, taking an aggressive bite. "You devoured those tacos in Emberglow without complaint. Is it suddenly beneath the great Adrian Blackwood, or is it just me you look down on?"

His silverware clinked against the plate as he set it down. "That was different."

"How?" Vivian challenged, polishing off the remaining meat with deliberate relish.

Adrian's jaw tightened. "Foxfire Diner was... a place from my childhood. It matters to me."

The unspoken weight behind his words hung between them like the aromatic steam rising from their untouched soup.