The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

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Chapter 166

It was one thing not to know about Zeph’s feelings.

Once Nicole did, she couldn’t pretend she didn’t.

Still, she had her doubts about what Hughie’s group said.

It wasn’t that she was clueless. It was just…hard to say. Zeph seemed kind of into her, but also maybe

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So what was she supposed to do now?

He hadn’t confessed anything. It wasn’t like she could just reject him out of nowhere.

What if she was reading it wrong?

They lived right next door; they saw each other all the time and still had to work together going forward. The thought alone made her cringe.

After hearing her out, the others realized it was tricky, too.

Hughie, full of confidence, said, “When someone’s in love, you can see it in their eyes. It’s impossible to hide. Want us to test him for you?”

Nicole frowned. “No. I’ll figure it out myself.”

Back in her room, she flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

She reached up and touched her face. She knew she was attractive, but she wouldn’t say she was stunning. Would Zeph really be into her?

If the disasters had never happened, it felt like they would’ve belonged to completely different worlds.

Before she could sort it out, the walkie-talkie crackled.

“Nicole, are you up for training today?”

She paused, then answered, “Yeah.”

She needed a chance to figure it out.

After changing, she headed to Zeph’s place.

During sparring, she kept watching him out of the corner of her eye. At one point, she even pretended to lose her footing.

Zeph reacted instantly, catching her by the waist and steadying her. “Something on your mind?”

“No.”

“You seem distracted. Focus. Again.”

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Chapter 166

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Nicole swore he looked completely composed, like there wasn’t a single improper thought in his head. Even with his hand on her waist, there was nothing suggestive, nothing lingering.

Still unwilling to give up, she stayed behind under the excuse of teaching Poppy how to cook.

A few times, she turned suddenly to look back. Every time, Zeph was in the living room training the dog, completely focused.

Hughie really had no idea what he was talking about. Love showing in the eyes? Sneaking glances?

Yeah, right. They had all read the situation wrong.

Feeling relieved, Nicole finally let out a long breath.

She turned off the stove and plated the food. When she turned around, she found Zeph looking at her.

Startled, she almost dropped the dish. “Why are you looking at me?”

The words came out sharper than she intended. She immediately felt awkward, like she wished the floor would swallow her whole.

Zeph pointed toward the kitchen window. “The snow looks heavier.”

Nicole turned to look. It did seem like it.

What kind of eyesight did he have to notice that from so far away?

She turned down Poppy’s invitation to stay for dinner and headed back with Cola. She was starting to feel a little on edge, like Zeph might have some hidden intention.

That night, wrapped in warm blankets, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

When she finally drifted off, she dreamed that Zeph suddenly confessed to her, the kind she couldn’t refuse. Then her storage space was exposed…

She woke up with her heart racing.

For three days straight, Nicole kept an eye on him, during sparring and even while he was training the dog. Even so, she came up with nothing.

Still, her instincts told her there might be something, just a little. It stayed vague and unclear, enough to keep her up night after night.

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