Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 184

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**

**Chapter 184: The Diner**

**Lucky Draw**

“What’s swirling in that mind of yours?” Sebastian’s voice sliced through the stillness of the room, playful yet low, like a soft breeze teasing the leaves. With a swift motion, he snatched the phone from Riley’s grasp, placing it on the coffee table with a casual flick of his wrist. Then, he leaned in, creating a cozy prison of warmth as he nestled her between his body and the back of the sofa.

“Not much,” Riley replied, trying to sound nonchalant, though her heart raced. “I was chatting with Vince, and then you just had to kiss my ear and say that. He probably heard everything. It was mortifying.”

Sebastian’s lips curled into a smirk, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he leaned even closer, brushing his lips against her earlobe once more. Each kiss sent a delightful jolt through her, igniting a warmth that spread from her cheeks to her fingertips.

“Do you dislike it when I do that?” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin, causing her to shiver involuntarily.

The sensation was intoxicating, a heady mix of excitement and trepidation. She attempted to push him away playfully, but he skillfully used her momentum to roll them both to the far end of the couch, his arm securely wrapped around her waist, anchoring her closer to him.

In an instant, she found herself sprawled atop him, their faces mere inches apart.

“Do you really hate it?” His deep, soulful gaze bore into hers, searching for an answer that seemed to hang heavy in the air.

Riley could sense the tension in his arm, a subtle tightening that hinted at his anxiety as he awaited her response.

“What if I do?” she teased, a playful glimmer dancing in her eyes. It was her small act of revenge for interrupting her call.

To her surprise, his expression shifted. The light in his eyes dimmed, and his long lashes fluttered slightly. A self-deprecating smile flickered across his lips, revealing a vulnerability she hadn’t anticipated. “If you hate it, I promise I won’t do it again.”

Her heart twisted painfully at the sight of his hurt. The unexpected sadness in his eyes tugged at her, sharp and disconcerting.

“Please, Riley, don’t hate me, okay?” His voice was soft, a gentle plea that stripped away his usual bravado.

Her chest tightened, regret flooding her for her teasing words. “I don’t hate you, or what you did,” she rushed to reassure him. “It just… caught me off guard, that’s all.”

Her hand instinctively reached up, gently tracing the strong line of his jaw, desperate to erase that pained look from his face. “But if you’re going to pull something like that, just don’t do it while I’m on the phone, alright?”

In an instant, his eyes brightened, a spark of joy reigniting within him. “So you don’t hate it.”

“No, I don’t hate it.” As her words tumbled out, Riley leaned closer, her lips brushing against his ear, her voice a whisper. “It just tickles a little bit. I’m not quite used to it yet.”

With a playful tilt of her head, she gently enveloped his earlobe with her lips, kissing it softly, mirroring his earlier gesture.

Sebastian’s ear flushed crimson, the color creeping to his cheeks, painting them with an adorable blush that made him look even more endearing.

“Riley…” His voice was a low, husky murmur, thick with emotion, as he struggled to catch his breath. His dark eyes captured hers, intense and magnetic, drawing her in like a moth to a flame.

“Let’s go check it out,” Sebastian suggested gently, his tone reassuring. “I’m right here with you.”

Riley paused, a warm smile spreading across her face. She wasn’t alone; he was by her side, a steady presence in her life.

When they pulled up to the diner, Riley’s heart fluttered with surprise. It stood there, almost untouched, just as she remembered it from five years ago.

The only noticeable change was the owner, who looked older now, a testament to the passage of time.

“Riley! It’s been years!” the owner exclaimed, his face lighting up with recognition. “How have you been?”

“I’m good,” Riley replied, her smile returning as she stepped inside.

“Where are your parents and your brother? They didn’t come with you?” he asked, glancing around as if expecting to see them.

Riley’s expression dimmed momentarily. “They couldn’t make it this time. I’m just here to take care of some things,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with an underlying sadness.

“Ah, right. Well, come in, sit down!” The owner gestured to a nearby table, his warmth wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. “What can I get you?”

As Sebastian and Riley settled into their seats, his gaze wandered to one of the diner’s walls, which was adorned with a collage of small Polaroid pictures—snapshots of customers from years gone by, each one a frozen moment in time, echoing the laughter and life that had once filled the diner.