Tasting 178

178–Hand In Hand With My Boyfriend

Nora:

His lips tasted like cherries, soft and gentle as he held me close. We had been kissing for the past

few minutes, lying in my bed, our hands exploring each other’s bodies. I don’t know what came over

me, but the more we kissed, the more memories flooded back of how Cain had treated me before

he abruptly ended things.

A tear burned my cheek, catching both of us by surprise. Brody pulled back to look at me. “Are you

crying?” His reaction was immediate, sitting up and gently holding my face in his hands.

“No, I’m fine,” I lied, trying to turn away from him.

“Something’s bothering you, Nora,” he insisted, taking my hand and. rubbing the back of it. “You

seem different, and I don’t know why.”

“It’s really nothing. Sometimes I just wonder if I’ll ever have a stable family,” I murmured softly,

realizing my words were barely coherent ast Brody studied my face, waiting for me to explain.

“It’s nothing. Lunch must be ready,” I sniffled, rubbing my hands over my face. I rolled out of bed

and held my hand out to him. He hesitated before taking it, walking with me out of the room. As we

left my bedroom, I noticed someone else was coming downstairs.

Cain.

He barely acknowledged me until he saw I wasn’t alone. I watched as he side–eyed Brody before

continuing downstairs. Walking together with Brody and Cain ahead of us felt incredibly awkward.

We all sat

down in the living room where lunch was being served. I tried to smile often for Brody; I didn’t want

him to feel insecure because of me.

As I looked around at everyone, I also noticed the absence of Sials.

Life is so strange.

The two I used to find annoying were now the ones I looked for whenever I entered any room in this

mansion: Nash and Silas.

“Did you find something you liked in the store today?” Nash asked cheerfully. He had been so kind

to me that talking to him had become

so easy now.

“I actually picked a gown of Brody’s choice,” I mumbled, and Lord Atwood clapped his hands

excitedly like a teenage girl.

“This year’s ball is going to be very special. All my kids will be attending,” Lord Atwood exclaimed,

his teeth gleaming.

“Not everyone is coming. Silas refuses to go,” Cain sighed, lifting his head from his plate to look at

his father. Since I sat so close to Lord Atwood, his gaze sometimes landed on me.

“He doesn’t have a girlfriend, remember?” Ryker commented. The brothers were back to their usual

routine of bickering or making jokes. Of course, they were happy in their lives. I was the one

suffering the

most.

Or maybe I should just go back to my normal self as well. The only

question was,

How?

“He can still come,” Brody spoke up. The brothers refocused on their food, which annoyed me. I

remembered how Cain defended and

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supported his supposed mate. Why couldn’t I do the same for Brody?

“Can he really?” I turned to Brody, showing interest in his words.

“Yeah, there will be other single people there. It’s the evening of love; he might find someone,”

Brody smiled at me, understanding what I was trying to do.

“Brody’s right. Silas should reconsider,” Lord Atwood chimed in.

I noticed Mia, the omega maid, lingering around. It was the first time she caught my eye.

“By the

way, you didn’t tell me what you’re wearing,” I said to Brody, who smiled charmingly.

“It’ll be a surprise. In fact, I’ll come pick you up myself,” Brody whispered, ensuring only I could

hear.

“Dad! So, what’s been happening at the pack’s border?” Ryker’s question made Brody and me stop

talking and turn to Lord Atwood.

“Why, did something occur?” Lord Atwood’s response was strange, almost as if he didn’t know what

his son was referring to.

Did Ryker start that conversation just to silence us?

The rest of lunch passed quietly. After Brody finished eating, I took his hand and walked him to the

door. Instead of leaving, we strolled in the garden for a few minutes.

“Can I ask you something?” I inquired. This question had been on my mind for a while now, and I

had meant to ask him several times before.

“Sure, you can ask me anything.” Brody had his hands in his jeans pockets, his jacket slightly

askew.

“Do you live with your cousin? I mean, with Natalya and April?” I murmured, instantly turning my

head away.

“I do.”

“Oh, okay! “I floundered in failure. I didn’t want to acknowledge that. Or maybe I did. But why was

he staying with them?

The two most evil people and my boyfriend living together indeed was awkward for me.

“Why, does that make you uncomfortable?” he leaned in closer to nudge me with his elbow. I sighed

and, upon raising my head, noticed Rykler, Cain, and Nash standing on the terrace of the second

floor, glancing our way. I bet they were discussing us as well.

“Do they talk about me?” I forced my gaze downward, trying to avoid

them.

“I haven’t heard them talk about you personally. In fact, I barely go to the mansion. Only after I finish

exercising and working in my room do I leave for the kitchen. Most of the time, they stick to their

own corner,” he explained, and his tone sounded genuine, not trying to ease

1. me.

“But if it bothers you so much, Nora, I can get an apartment here,” he finished abruptly, then

smiled.

“Why are you smiling like that?” I inquired with an eyebrow raised. He appeared extremely happy as

if an idea had just popped up in his mind.

“I’m going to get an apartment. So that you can visit me whenever.”

That smile he gave me was all I needed in that moment to escape the scrutinizing glares of the

brothers.

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“That’s perfect,” I mumbled, watching him lean over and unexpectedly

press his lips against mine.

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