My Husband's Affair My Anniversary Gift (Lily and David) novel Chapter 120

Carson let out a small chuckle and pulled out the chair. “Well, thank you. It’s been so long since I last had a homemade breakfast. Nobody really cooks for me anymore. This… this feels great.”

He picked up the cup of coffee and brought it to his lips. One sip, and his eyes widened again. “Wow. This is so good. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had coffee this good.”

Lily gave a faint smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m glad you like it. I was worried you might not.”

Carson leaned back in his chair, watching her as he set the cup down. “Worried? You didn’t have to be. You really know your way around the kitchen. Tell me, Lily, do you do this often? Cook like this?”

Her lips parted, but she hesitated before answering. Memories of David surfaced, the countless mornings she had prepared breakfast only to sit at a table alone because he was too busy, too cold, or too uninterested to join her. She pushed those thoughts aside quickly.

“I used to,” she finally said softly. “I don’t anymore. But… it feels natural to do it.”

Carson tilted his head, studying her. “You don’t look like someone who should be in a kitchen. You look more like someone who belongs on a runway or in some glossy magazine.” His words were smooth, teasing, but his eyes carried a sharper kind of curiosity.

Lily blinked and looked down quickly, her cheeks warming. “You’re exaggerating. I’m just… me. I don’t like attention like that.”

Carson smirked, cutting into the omelet with his fork. “Hmm. That’s interesting. Most women I meet would kill for attention. And here you are, hiding from it. Makes me wonder what else you’re hiding, Lily.”

Lily froze for a moment at the way he said her name—like he had known her forever. She forced a smile and replied carefully, “I don’t have anything to hide. I just prefer simple things.”

“Simple things, huh?” He took a bite, chewing slowly, his gaze never leaving her. “Then why are you staying in my house? Doesn’t feel that simple.”

Her heart skipped. She clasped her hands in front of her, steadying her voice. “I already told you… Miss Bennett, your sister, she offered me this place until I find another apartment. I never planned to stay long. Now that you’re here, I’ll leave soon.”

Carson let out a low laugh, leaning back in his chair again, arms spreading over the backrest as if he owned not only the chair but the whole room. “There you go again. Talking about leaving. Do I really scare you that much?”

Lily shook her head quickly. “No, it’s not that...”

Carson’s face lit. “That’s good. Show me some work one day. I have a few friends who might like it.”

Lily blinked. “You....your friends?” She felt a strange mix of flattery and alarm. Carson’s world was big and loud and dangerous in a way she wasn’t ready to step into.

He shrugged with a careless grin. “I know people. Don’t panic. You won’t get swallowed up. I like to help when things are interesting.”

She felt an odd flutter then, a warning and a promise all rolled into one.

Carson shifted again on the chair and leaned back. He watched her, that look in his eyes oddly soft now.

“You should stay,” he said suddenly, casually. “Until you find something. I don’t mind. It’s awkward that I just turn up and everyone jumps to attention. Besides, Claire wouldn’t have asked if she didn’t think you were okay.”