Divorced CEO's Forgotten Wife Strikes Back (Riley and Bryce) novel Chapter 73

**TITLE: Dreams Refuse Gravity by Leo Arden Knox**
**Chapter 73: Dishes**

Her friends surrounded her, their voices a blend of concern and encouragement. “That kind of woman? She’s obviously just a fling!” one of them declared, trying to lift Wren’s spirits.

“Exactly! Even though she shares the same last name, she can’t hold a candle to you, Wren,” another chimed in, a reassuring smile plastered on their face.

“Absolutely! Wren, you come from the main branch of the Anderson family. That nobody with the same surname doesn’t even come close!” they all agreed, their words a shield against the insecurities that threatened to creep in.

In the cozy confines of the private dining room, Riley and Sebastian settled into their seats. The ambiance was warm, with soft lighting that cast a gentle glow over the elegantly set table.

“You know this place better than I do, so why don’t you pick what we eat?” Sebastian suggested, his tone casual but with an underlying respect for her familiarity with the local cuisine.

Riley didn’t hesitate. The moment she stepped back into her hometown, an insatiable hunger for the flavors of home surged within her. She opened the menu, her heart racing as she scanned the familiar offerings, each dish a nostalgic reminder of her childhood.

With a smile tugging at her lips, she ordered some of her parents’ old favorites, dishes that had once filled their family table with warmth and laughter. If her parents were still around, they would have eagerly dived into these meals, just as she was about to do.

Sebastian took the menu from her hands and handed it to the waiter with an air of confidence. “Bring these dishes first,” he instructed, his voice steady.

Riley blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Aren’t you going to order anything for yourself?” she asked, her brow furrowing in curiosity.

“These should be enough. And if we find ourselves still hungry, you can always order more later,” he replied, his casual demeanor masking a deeper understanding of her preferences.

She raised an eyebrow, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind. What if I order something he absolutely hates?

The waiter took the menu and disappeared into the bustling kitchen, leaving the two of them in a bubble of anticipation.

Breaking the silence, Sebastian leaned slightly forward, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. “What did you say to Bryce at the airport today?” he inquired, recalling the brief but intense exchange he had witnessed. He had seen Riley speak to Bryce before boarding, and the change in Bryce’s demeanor was unmistakable.

Riley felt a rush of surprise wash over her. It made sense that Sebastian had noticed; they were on the same flight, after all.

“Nothing much. Just a little thing,” she downplayed, trying to brush off the weight of the moment. To her, saving Bryce had been a small gesture, a favor that didn’t warrant much thought.

When she had spotted Bryce, recognition had hit her like a wave. Initially, she had worried that he might misconstrue her intentions, thinking she was leveraging that favor for personal gain. So, she had kept her silence, allowing the moment to drift away.

If she hadn’t been so furious earlier that day, Riley probably wouldn’t have felt compelled to say anything at all.

Sebastian’s gaze pierced through her facade, and he asked, feigning indifference, “If Bryce regrets letting you go, would you take him back?”

“Definitely not,” Riley shot back, her voice firm and unwavering.

“Not even if he begs you?” he pressed, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.

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