Chapter 33

Halfway through her meal, Leanne heard the front door open. Curtis had returned.

He had the kind of chiseled features, a roguish charm that more reserved and steady Phillip could never claim. Curtis carried an air of aristocratic nonchalance like a modern-day playboy with a touch of old money.

The temperature had dropped even lower that day, and Curtis had layered a black overcoat over his grey suit, tempering his usual casualness with a dash of mature masculinity.

Leanne was caught off-guard by his sudden return. She was momentarily frozen in place, and by the time she collected herself, Curtis had already stepped inside, nonchalantly tossing his coat over a dining chair’s backrest.

He glanced at the dishes on the table and a half-smile played on his lips. “The grub has gone up a notch with Laura back in the kitchen.”

His comment made Laura beam with pride. “I thought you weren’t coming back for dinner today. Ms. Leanne is nearly finished. I’ll whip up a couple more dishes!”

Leanne understood Laura’s joy all too well. She too had been dazzled by Curtis’ sweet talk in the past, completely disoriented by his charm.

Without mentioning he’d already eaten out, Curtis took his place at the table and picked up

his fork.

Leanne glanced at the cat on her lap, still hidden from Curtis’ view by the table. She pondered whether to pick up the cat and whisk it back to her room out of Curtis’ sight, or to keep it hidden, hoping he might not notice and make a fuss.

overheard the cat’s purring. He

cat, having sensed a change in the atmosphere, leapt onto the table, eyeing Curtis curiously yet cautiously.

been on Curtis’ lips moments ago disappeared, and his brow furrowed. “Why is that thing still

human emotions, and the

harsh words.

return it to the other room. She didn’t come back to the dining room, instead grabbing a book and sitting in

had been soured, watched Laura serve the new dishes. By

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Chapter 33

with a

with implication, “I’ve had

felt unjustly accused. After all, she hadn’t known he would come back

saying I shouldn’t have come back?”

such trivial matters. After a few seconds of silence, she set her book down. “Do you have

digesting the annoyance in my

you. You’re

her a long and inscrutable look, then leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, the

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