In the Lap of Luxury by Unsweetened Chestnuts

Xander pulled out a chair for Grace. "How is it different?"

Steam rose from the chicken soup on the table. Grace held a spoon and thought for a moment before answering, "You trust her a lot, and you guys have very good chemistry." Xander deftly changed the subject with a straight face. "Like you and Luke."

"That's not quite the same. You two are ..."

Before Grace could finish, Xander placed some side dishes in her bowl. "Eat up, then go to sleep."

"But by the time I wake up, you'll have to leave."

"Are you going to miss me?" He was merely teasing, but Grace's ears turned red.

"I didn't come back just to keep you awake. Be good."

Grace, who was used to just bread and coffee for breakfast, suddenly felt a rare sense of satisfaction as she ate the warm soup.

The room was warm, and the soup was also hot. So Xander took his jacket off, revealing his strong, muscular arms. He tapped his fingers on the dining table.

"I heard that Matthew ended up taking Henry home."

"How

"I watch the news."

yes, but it was mainly because Esme

She asked, "Xander, do you

looked down, focusing on the sunlight spilling over

and has no children to this day. Matthew hasn't had any children for years, either. Both generations are on equal footing, so they

Matthew's illegitimate son has suddenly been accepted in the family, it affects a wide range of interests. We can't be

a feeling that there was more to Henry's accident than met

and asked,

taken aback. But she ultimately decided against telling him about the drowning incident since it would inevitably lead to them talking about Benjamin. That would be too complicated to explain. She shook her

you have anything

trip to the office. I should be back by

up and said,

go upstairs when

bag on the couch. She recognized it as the

the bag. The bag wasn't closed, so

above the dial button. She looked at the photos on the