Chapter 98
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Khloe nodded. She remembered that Nick didn’t like sweets. Ahe asked if he could handle spicy food.
When he paused for a second, she understood immediately. “All right,” she said softly. “No sweets, no spice for Nick.”
“A little is fine,” Nick replied. He wasn’t picky, though he rarely ate anything with a strong flavor.
Khloe didn’t press further. She tied an apron around her waist and began to cook.
The kitchen was semi-open, so her every movement was visible from where he sat. Her quiet focus and the way she moved seemed to draw his gaze, and he found he couldn’t look away.
For the first time, he began to understand why his grandparents–those two old, persistent matchmakers-kept worrying about his marriage.
In a family like the Hunts, affection was always secondary to profit. His parents had separated before he was even born. Only his grandparents had truly loved each other, sharing nearly a lifetime together.
‘A person who knows when you’re cold or tired, someone who stays by your side year after year-what’s wrong with that?’ His grandmother’s voice echoed faintly in his mind. ‘Do you plan to bury yourself in work forever? Wouldn’t it be nice, when you come home, to have someone cook a meal for you, or simply sit and eat with you?’
By the time the memory ended, Khloe had already set the dishes on the table.
Three dishes and a soup. Nothing extravagant, but varied and fragrant. She’d moved quickly, and her cheeks were flushed from the heat of the stove.
Nick felt something stir quietly in his chest.
“You didn’t have to make so much,” he said. “That must’ve been a lot of work.”
“Not really. Everything was prepped by the chef-I just put it together. When I used to cook for friends, I’d make even more.”
Her voice was soft and musical. Something in her tone, in its easy gentleness, made the rigid tension in him ease without warning.
He had always been surrounded by beautiful women, accomplished women, but none had ever made him feel the slightest pull toward closeness.
Khloe kept talking as she handed him cutlery. Only then did she notice his eyes still on her.
“Try it, Nick?” she said, smiling, lips pressed together nervously.
Nick withdrew his gaze. “It must be nice to be your friend.”
“Of course,” she replied lightly, her delicate features softening into a smile. “I never hold back when it comes to people I care about.”
“Then being your husband must be even better,” Nick said calmly.
The words made her hand freeze midair, spoon hovering over the table. He spoke with no particular inflection, didn’t even look at her-just took a bite of food and added, “It tastes good.”
Khloe blinked, recovering herself. “I’m glad you like it. But compared to your Michelin-star chefs, it’s still far from perfect.”
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Chapter ha
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“Don’t underestimate yourself,” he said, meeting her eyes for a moment. “It’s really good.”
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