Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 123

The contract was handwritten, in strokes defiant and sharp–clear signs that the girl who penned it wasn’t in the best of moods.

Everard’s initial thought was that the kid had pretty good handwriting, not too delicate, but with a certain firmness to it. Then he focused on the content.

1. Hold hands once a day. If I don’t initiate, you keep your hands to yourself.

2. One kiss per week, on my terms. Other than that, don’t even think about it or dream about it.

3. No inviting yourself over to my place for dinner.

4. Don’t call me unless it’s absolutely necessary!

5. TBD. Will add more rules as I think of them.

Everard raised an eyebrow. Holding hands was already a daily routine; the kissing frequency seemed a bit low–surely exceptions could be made. As for dinner, a nod from her dad would sort that out, and for phone calls, “necessary” could be quite subjective.

As he mentally critiqued each rule, he looked up to see the girl staring at him seriously, her dewy eyes filled with solemnity, like a cat on the verge of a hissy fit, ready to pounce at any hint of bargaining.

He chuckled softly and answered, “Fine by me.”

Her tension eased at his agreement, and she picked up the breakfast she’d prepared and set it on the counter.

Everard, feeling proactive, took it and arranged the spread on the dining table.

tease her. A

was bemused. “I guess

that much attention to

palpable. Synthetic fabric could cause static when rubbing against skin, which explained the tingling sensation during their hand–holding. She advised seriously,

conversation odd but knowing that the girl often had her own unique logic, which she seldom

to school.”

backpack and

his phone, and Flame No.1 engrossed in what seemed to be a language arts textbook. Something felt

followed them curiously.

phone. “I hired a martial arts instructor yesterday,” he announced with a lift of

Cordelia was puzzled.

cleared his throat. “Give me some time to train, and then

noncommittal “I guess

encouragement lacked sincerity and suddenly kicked Flame No. 1, who was

indignant, opened the textbook to reveal a comic book hidden inside. “Lia, do you

thought it was an actual textbook.”

“See, I can read during

Cordelia felt enlightened.

over a math book, mistaking it for a tragic novel, while Little Parrot dabbed at her tears. Cordelia returned to her thoughts of Everard,

the Delaney residence. A white Mercedes in the driveway signaled Louie’s visit.

artwork she had chosen, and the painting