âWhy ask all of a sudden?â
Katherine couldnât respond. If she asked too directly, it would seem like she was pushing for marriage.
Shawn had already moved on from the topic.
âOpen the door. I noticed you hardly ate anything at Joelleâs, so I ordered takeout for you. The delivery guy just called me.â
âWhat?â Katherine muttered in mild exasperation as she reluctantly slipped out from under the covers. âWhy did you order takeout for me? Iâm trying to lose weight.â
âYou have no need to lose weight; youâre already slender as it is.â
âYou donât understand at all,â Katherine retorted, only to swing the door open and find Shawn standing there, holding a barbecue from her favorite place.
Shawn ended the call with a smirk. âYour takeout has arrived.â
Dressed in light attire, Katherine felt an overwhelming urge to sink into Shawnâs embrace, drawn to the comforting warmth that seemed to radiate from him.
âWhy are you here?â she asked.
Shawn shrugged. âI knew I wouldnât be able to sleep if I went home tonight. You donât mind if I stay over, do you?â
Without awaiting her reply, he stepped forward, gathering Katherine into a warm, all-encompassing embrace.
âKatherine, arenât you moved by this?â
Katherine gave him a playful, lighthearted punch. âIf you wanted to come over, all you had to do was say so. Besides, my mother already knows about our relationship.â
Despite her words, Katherine was genuinely surprised and delighted.
âI simply wanted to relish the exhilarating thrill of clandestine encounters.â
âYouâre really pushing your luck.â
âKatherine, why arenât you asleep yet?â Agate, located in the first-floor bedroom, inquired upon noticing that the light continued to shine brightly.
Katherine and Shawn froze on the staircase.
Feigning nonchalance, Katherine replied, âI ordered some takeout!â
âConsuming food at such a late hour is hardly conducive to good health!â
âOnly this once!â
âMake sure to retire to bed early!â
âOkay, you too!â
Katherine grasped Shawnâs hand and sprinted up to the second floor. Once inside the bedroom, she secured the door behind them with a definitive click. Shawn cradled the enticingly aromatic barbecue, and as Katherine extended her hand to grab it, he deftly intercepted her wrist with playful finesse.
âEat it later.â
Whatever Katherine was poised to articulate was silenced by his kiss.
The following morning, as dawnâs light began to filter through the curtains, Shawn gently eased open the bedroom door, casting a cautious glance at the corridor. The house was enveloped in a thick silence, indicating that Agate was still deep in slumber. Shawn exhaled a breath of relief, buttoning his shirt as he ventured out into the quiet.
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