The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 479

With the grim reality of the case hanging over them, everyone ate quickly.

Nora tried to keep pace with the rest of the forensics team, but by the time the others were wiping their mouths, she still had half a plate of food left.

Hating to hold them up, Nora waved them off. "You guys head back first. I'll catch up."

She was completely ravenous and wasn't about to abandon a good meal.

Nathan chimed in, leaning back in the booth. "Take your time. There's no rush."

Nora nodded and went back to practically inhaling her food.

The rest of the team exchanged knowing smiles. Instead of leaving, they ordered another round of coffee and casually chatted among themselves.

A flash of gratitude warmed Nora's face.

She had always fiercely guarded her independence, refusing to be a burden.

She never demanded that others accommodate her schedule.

But they had noticed, and they had stayed anyway. It was a small gesture, but she finally understood what it felt like to be genuinely respected and understood by her peers.

When she finally pushed her empty plate away, Nora stood up. "I'll go grab the check."

One of the younger examiners' eyes went wide. "We can't let you pay for this, Dr. Hayes! I got it."

He started to stand, but Nathan shot out a hand and clamped it on his shoulder.

"Let her do it. I'll expense it and pay her back later."

The team blinked, momentarily stunned.

As Nora hurried off to the front counter, it finally dawned on them that they were being subjected to a ruthless display of domestic bliss.

"Okay, Captain Peyton, that's just cruel."

"Not all of us are happily married or engaged, you know."

"Yeah, have a little sympathy for the single guys in the room."

Nathan threw a cool, unimpressed look at the complaining officer and smirked. "Should I talk to the brass about setting you up on blind dates on our next day off? If you're that desperate, we can find you a match."

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