The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 153

Sophia was just chilling at the top of the stairs, one hand on her knee, the other patting her chest, huffing and puffing like she’d run a marathon. Her face was all flushed, her hair a bit of a mess, and you could see a layer of fine sweat beading on her forehead.

She caught Brandon’s eye and felt a bit embarrassed.

“Today’s the grand opening of the new company, and everyone’s buzzing with excitement. Why don’t you come and celebrate with us?” she said awkwardly. “Honestly, people love it when the boss lets loose and hangs with the crew. Makes you feel less like the big man upstairs, you know?”

Brandon glanced at her still-thumping chest, then at her damp, rosy cheeks, before his gaze settled into her eyes. “Did you specifically come looking for me?”

The word “specifically” hung in the air between Sophia and Brandon, loaded with unspoken meaning, given their complicated relationship.

–

She hadn’t thought it through his solitary silhouette had just popped into her head, and on a whim, she’d dashed up to find him. “Not really,” Sophia replied, her cheeks coloring. “It’s just everyone’s heading out to party, and it seemed like a bummer for the big boss to be missing out.”

She glanced at the now-deserted office, then back at him. “You’re here burning the midnight oil all by yourself. If work’s not screaming for attention, why not take a break? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Kent looked over at Sophia, a tad surprised.

Her casual concern for Brandon was kind of sweet and unexpected.

Brandon threw him a glance.

Kent, taking the hint, quickly made his exit. “I’ll leave you two to chat. Mr. Dempsey’s waiting for me to join the celebration. I’ll head over so no one’s kept waiting.”

With that, he bolted.

Brandon’s eyes lingered on the sweat on Sophia’s forehead, and he casually grabbed some tissues from a nearby desk, walking over to her.

Standing in front of her, he reached out with the tissue towards her forehead. “Did you take the stairs?”

“Yeah, the elevator was out of service,” Sophia replied, taking the tissue from him with an awkward smile. “I’ve got it.”

He gave

her a look but didn’t fight her for it, handing over the tissue.

After drying off, Sophia turned to him again. “So, you coming?”

He nodded. “Sure, why not?”

A smile flickered across her face, and a hint of one appeared in his eyes too.

“Let’s go,” he said, and they headed down together.

Don had texted Sophia the details for the get-together.

He’d booked a rooftop farm with its own BBQ and bonfire setup.

By the time Sophia and Brandon arrived, everyone was already in full swing some prepping the food, others manning the grills, chatting and laughing in little clusters.

Brandon’s entrance caused a momentary freeze, everyone suddenly self-conscious.

Sophia, all smiles and warmth, called out/”Keep the fun rolling. Don’t mind us!”

charm quickly eased the tension, and the

for Brandon. “Want to

at her and nodded, standing side by side with

the BBQ, skewers in hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together, Don

you actually up for this kind

asked, skillfully laying the skewers Sophia handed him on the grill.

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08:125

relax every now and then,

of oysters and called Sophia over to help clean

gave her a passing glance.

back to it,” quickly dismissing the idea of Sophia

over at the busy oyster crew, then back at Brandon. “I’m gonna go help out over

at the pile of

–

else.

“Why force yourself if you’re not into it?” Brandon shot him a look. “It’s not about liking or not. It’s just a way to pass

glanced towards

awkwardly scrubbing oysters out of a foam cooler. Among the chattering girls, Sophia’s serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial,

he show much interest in BBQ. Social gatherings weren’t his thing.

came through on his

now dancing around

crowd for Sophia

absentmindedly grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at the lively crowd with a smile, but with no intention

approached her and stood by her side, picking up a skewer from

them?” he asked, placing the skewer

into ease as

your call?” she asked, having spotted Brandon on the phone just moments before, obviously tangled up

nodded

beef skewers sizzle over the charcoal, she finally

embarrassed to say she didn’t want to leave Brandon hanging by

be cool to just ditch him

nature, would be the last person to jump

glance from him, then looking over at the laughing and joking

but nodded, “Sure,

them joined in, everyone did a double-take before Don let go of Cindy’s hand to make way for them to step in.

Brandon joined the hand-holding

complex dance, just a bunch of folks holding hands, hopping on one foot to the catchy

got swept up in the

the midst of the fun, she couldn’t help but sneak

mouth. He wasn’t laughing uproariously like the others, but his eyes and expression were clearly relaxed and enjoying the

to have a

just then, Brandon turned to look at

flashed him a light

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08:42

He smiled back.

the group, the revelry was still in full swing, shifting from the campfire dance

were way off-key, filling the farm air with their howls, but

and Brandon sat down by the