Facade of Love

Chapter 348 Sweet Enough?

Charlie looked lost for a moment, his apology coming out awkward and kind of adorable, a far cry from his usual icy detachment.

I was not actually mad. I was just messing with him. His confusion was too much to bear, and I let out a giggle.

He stared at me, puzzled, for a few heartbeats. I fished out a lollipop from the stash I had brought and peeled off the wrapper. “Birthdays come just once a year. You should have given me a heads–up. I had no clue what to get you, so I brought you these. Try one, they’re super sweet.”

I held the lollipop to his lips, my eyes dancing with laughter.

He hesitated, then accepted the candy with his mouth.

He was a sight to behold, with his pale skin and sharp features that softened when he smiled. As he tasted the lollipop, I asked, “Is it sweet enough?”

He mumbled a ‘yes‘, his voice fuzzy with the candy still in his mouth.

I noticed his demeanor had thawed a bit, so I rubbed my hands together and blew on them. ” It’s freezing out here. You’re not planning to make me celebrate with you in the cold, are you?” He removed the lollipop, his voice raspy. “It’s warm inside.” He reached out to maneuver his wheelchair, but I got to it first, sliding behind him to give it a push. We made our way out of the cool shade of the pavilion. Inch had been hanging around outside, and as soon as he spotted us, he strolled over to take over the wheelchair from me. He shot me a thankful look, his eyes saying ‘thanks‘ even though his lips did not move.

Inside, I could not help thinking about how Inch so sincerely cared for Charlie. It made

walking into a warm hug.

huge fancy cake sitting on the table, untouched and looking lonely. I caught Charlie eyeing his half–eaten lollipop instead of the cake, as if it was the tastiest treat

asking, “Inch, have you guys had dinner yet?”

glanced at Charlie, then shook

11

late, and they had not eaten yet. I just smiled, however, and said,

second before saying, “I’ve snacked on something. It’s Mr. Yates who

nodded, turned to Charlie, and told him, “Hang tight, I’ll be right

was swanky, with a dining room that could fit

cooking zones. It looked more like a showroom than a place where meals were made, but at least the

342

to eat, and I was no chef, so I

I set the food down in front of him and chuckled, “You’re acting

mouth and chewing on it until it was all bent out of shape. He was just like that, except he never actually bit