The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1649

The restaurant near Cabinda University buzzed with life. Shirley sat at the table, cheeks puffed out in frustration, hands under her chin. Her big, clear eyes glared straight at Andrew. Well, at the backpack in his lap.

“I’m not leaving. Give me back my backpack.”

Andrew didn’t look up as he scrolled through the menu with one hand, holding tight to Shirley’s bag with the other. “No way. You’ve been dodging me like I’m contagious. How do I know you won’t run off?”

Shirley let out a sharp breath and nearly choked on her irritation. “Then at least give me my tablet. I need to do my homework.”

Their food wouldn’t be ready for a bit. Andrew considered it for a second, then finally slid her tablet across the table. “You’re no fun.”

Shirley propped the tablet up and started typing furiously, focused on her assignment, doing her best to ignore Andrew completely. He, on the other hand, sat right beside her, resting his head on his hand, eyes drifting back to her face over and over.

She really was pretty.

Maybe even prettier when she was mad.

Shirley stayed busy, determined to finish her homework. Andrew just watched, not even trying to hide it.

Eventually, the food arrived. Andrew washed his hands and started peeling shrimp, his movements a little awkward.

Shirley finally finished up, looked over, and noticed a huge pile of peeled shrimp sitting right next to her plate. She glanced at Andrew. He was drying his hands now, and she could see tiny little cuts all over his fingers.

Of course. Andrew probably never had to peel shrimp in his life. He grew up with everything handed to him.

Something tugged inside Shirley. She frowned, not sure what the feeling was.

Andrew caught her staring and just shrugged. “Go ahead and eat. It’s spicy. You like that, right?”

Shirley didn’t touch the food. Instead, she flagged down a waiter and asked for some antiseptic and band-aids. Then she scooted her chair over, so close she was practically in his space, and looked right at him.

“Give me your hand,” she said softly.

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