Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 104

Emmy glanced down at her hands without even thinking.

Her nails still looked perfect—she and Abriella had gotten them done together, creamy white polish topped with tiny, sparkling rhinestones. It was the kind of manicure everyone seemed to be wearing lately.

She looked up at James, a little amused. “It’s a manicure. You really don’t know?”

James’s brows drew together, and he let out a half-resigned sigh. “If you keep sticking your hands in cold water, those rhinestones are going to fall off in no time. And getting them redone all the time will ruin your nails.”

Emmy stared at him, surprised.

Wasn’t this the kind of thing guys never noticed?

Back when she was with Dean, it didn’t matter how pretty her nails were. She still had to cook and clean, all while he barely paid attention. She’d even tried hinting that the housekeeper could take over dinner, but Dean always just said, “I like your cooking. It’s just a manicure—you can always get another one.”

After a while, her nails became thin and sore from being redone so often. Then, when they started trying for a baby, she gave up on manicures completely.

Now, watching James at the stove, Emmy felt a strange ache in her chest, sharp and a little sad.

Before she could stop herself, she blurted, “Your ex-girlfriend must’ve been really something, huh?”

How else would a guy know stuff like this?

Her words got lost in the sizzle of an egg hitting the pan.

James glanced over. “What’d you say?”

Emmy just smiled, shaking her head. “It’s nothing.”

She waved him off. “Go on, finish cooking. I’m going to eat my noodles before they get soggy.”

James came out a moment later with a big bowl of tomato and egg noodles, sitting down across from her. He ate quickly, finishing in just a few minutes.

Emmy automatically reached for the bowls, but James beat her to it. His hand was big and steady, and he stacked the dishes before she could move.

“I’ll wash these,” he said.

Looking at her shiny nails, Emmy felt a little guilty. If she’d known he’d end up doing everything, maybe she wouldn’t have bothered with the manicure.

James didn’t even turn around. “You’re a Lincoln. You don’t need to do chores. I’ll find a housekeeper.”

When James finished the dishes and turned around, Emmy was waiting, her eyes sparkling.

She smiled at him, a shy dimple appearing in her cheek. Under the kitchen light, she looked as sweet as a summer peach, glowing and irresistible.

James’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his gaze darkening as he looked away almost immediately. He practically made a beeline for the fridge.

“Do you have any cold water?”

Emmy blinked, a little flustered. “I don’t really drink cold stuff, so I never keep any.”

“I’m just going to use the bathroom,” he mumbled, leaving the kitchen a little too quickly.

Emmy watched him go, suspicion flickering in her eyes. Suddenly, something clicked, and she stared after him in disbelief.

She touched her own cheek.

All she’d done was smile.

Why did he react like that?