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.

greater solemnity, making him too wary to tease her. A few minutes later, she released his hand and asked with a deadpan expression, “Is your shirt made of synthetic

was bemused. “I guess so,

pays that much attention to their clothing

was palpable. Synthetic fabric could cause static when rubbing against skin, which explained the tingling

conversation odd but knowing that the girl often had her own unique

off to

explanation, she grabbed her backpack and headed

toward the school gates, she noticed Yates with his fiery red hair bent over his phone, and Flame No.1 engrossed in what seemed to be

followed them

hired a martial arts instructor yesterday,”

Cordelia was puzzled.

to train, and then

a noncommittal “I

lacked sincerity and suddenly kicked Flame No. 1, who was still pretending to study: “Watch where

the textbook to reveal a comic book hidden

thought it was

I can read during class, and the teacher thinks

Cordelia felt enlightened.

book, mistaking it for a tragic novel, while Little Parrot dabbed at her tears. Cordelia returned to her thoughts of Everard, wondering if he too used books as a facade,

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

them, discussing the artwork she had chosen, and the painting Lorna had failed