âBook a room for them.â
There was a pause. âIs that appropriate?â
Rickeyâs tone was icy. âWhatâs inappropriate? They drank too much. Isnât it natural to find a place to rest?â
âThey werenât drunk. Mr. Finch ordered fruit wine with very low alcohol content,â the waiter said.
Rickey snapped, âFind your own way. Just make sure they end up together tonight.â
âDonât you think this is a bit much?â
âThey wonât hold it against you. If it works out, Dunn will even thank you.â
Rickey stood there, his face unreadable, but his mind was already made up. He didnât want to waste any more energy imagining whether there was still a chance. If he could bring them together, Aurora would be happy. Dunn would be, too. This way, he could finally give up.
On the other end, the plan went into motion. The wine was swapped, and the new bottle was sent to Aurora and Dunn.
Dunn noticed something was off the moment the wine was poured, but Aurora was too caught up in the moment to think twice. She assumed it was something Dunn had arranged and took a large sip without hesitation. Dunn didnât drink. His eyes narrowed, sharp and demanding, as he locked onto the waiter.
âThis isnât the wine I ordered.â
The waiter, visibly shaking, kept his head down. âApologies, Mr. Finch, the one you ordered is out of stock at the moment.â
Dunn didnât buy it. âIf you were going to switch it, you should have asked me first, donât you think?â
The waiter shot a nervous glance at Aurora. âWeâre truly sorry. We didnât mean to disturb your time with Ms. Watson. This bottle is a gift from our restaurant. We apologize again for the inconvenience.â
Aurora, sitting some distance away, could only see Dunn in conversation with the waiter, but she didnât hear it clearly. She asked what was wrong, but Dunn, holding back his frustration, gestured for the man to leave.
The wine had a delayed effect. At first, there was no noticeable change, but within minutes, the person who drank it would feel its full weight.
Auroraâs face turned a deep shade of red, her body flushed with warmth, though she had no idea it was the alcohol taking hold.
Her vision blurred as she looked up at him, her gaze unfocused. Dunnâs face seemed to dissolve into a haze. âDunnâ¦â
With a sharp clatter, her knife and fork slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud on the plate. She slumped forward, her body weak.
Dunn moved instantly, rushing to her side and lifting her gently into his arms. âAurora?â
Her skin felt like fire against him, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, uncontrollable, though she wasnât unconsciousâjust drunk. Her hand brushed against Dunnâs chin, her touch soft but intimate. âIâm sleepy. I want to sleep.â
Dunn swallowed, fighting to keep his composure as her breath fanned across his neck. âIâll take you home.â
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