Chapter 51 You Are Not

Allowed To Smile At Them

“Alright,” the grocery store owner responded, giving a quick nod without a second thought.

Hadley, meanwhile, stood frozen, completely thrown off by what had just happened.

Eric turned on her abruptly, his gaze sharp and impatient. “Why are you just standing there? Pay for the flour already!”

“Huh? Oh–okay,” Hadley stammered as she fumbled to find her wallet. “Just a second.”

Eric’s gaze darkened as he caught the store owner sneaking glances at Hadley. Was she really this oblivious? How could she not pick up on it? Wasn’t it obvious to her what was going on?

“What’s taking so long?”

His voice cut through the moment, growing harsher. Something as simple as finding her wallet shouldn’t be dragging on.

“There,” Hadley said, handing over the cash. “All set.”

“No, it’s nothing…” The owner’s gaze flickered toward Eric, hesitating “Hadley, he, uh, he is…”

“Shouldn’t you be on your way?” Eric interjected, his cold, piercing stare cutting through the tension like a blade.

The owner tensed, his resolve crumbling in an instant. He knew better than to press further. “Ah, well… Hadley, I’ll get going then…”

“Alright, take care.”

Hadley gave him an awkward little wave.

“What are you staring at?”

Eric’s patience snapped, his voice edged with irritation. What was so fascinating?

And that lollipop in Hadley’s mouth had been driving him up the wall.

Before she could react, Eric reached over, plucked it from her lips, and tossed it straight into the roadside gutter.

Hadley stared at him, stunned. “What is wrong with you?”

“Why are you yelling?”

Eric had tolerated enough. Some random man handed her candy, and she just ate it without a second thought?

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Now that it was gone, at least he felt a sense of relief.

His eyes locked onto Hadley’s. “Cheap candy. I bet it tastes just as cheap. You’re not allowed to eat stuff like

that.”

What? Hadley couldn’t find the words to respond.

Did she ever ask him to try it? And what did how the candy tasted have to do with him?

Watching her fume in frustration only soured Eric’s mood further. “Who was that guy? What’s he to you? Are you seriously upset just because I threw out the lollipop he gave you?”

talking about?” Hadley blinked, baffled. “He owns the

just being nice and gave me candy, and you tossed it like it was nothing.

for that?”

is to it?” Eric’s eyes narrowed as

back, still not following where

Alright..

on–it was just some guy nursing an unrequited

as he crouched down, hoisting

a hand.”

“Alright.”

when had she

motioned toward her. “Stack the

figured his tone might have

that?” he

“I can.”

gave a firm nod and followed his

you sure that’s not

remember, she had never once seen Eric

You call this

mocking scoff as he strode ahead without slowing down. “Move it. Don’t just

posture

at all?” she thought. No one forced him to help, yet

sigh, she grabbed the fruit bags

was strong, she had to admit that much. He carried the heavy

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You Are Not Allowed To Smile At Them

fifth floor without a single pause.

“Open the door.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

door finally swung open. Eric walked in and dropped the boxes onto the floor without ceremony. His chest rose and fell with deep breaths,

on his face.

on his forehead and felt a slight pang of guilt. “Do you

Eric didn’t

“What?”

“A towel.”

glare sharpened. “What else do you expect me to wipe

I’ll grab

fresh towel, and handed

darkened as he shot

confusion. What now? What had she

clearly irritated. “You seriously expect me to

lifted his hands, showing them off. “Take a good look. They’re covered in dust from carrying your stuff. How do you expect

want me

left her mouth, she regretted them. No one annoyed Eric more

“Or maybe-”

up!” Eric cut her off, impatience flashing in his eyes. “Just get it over

an elevator.”

hesitated for a beat, but Eric wasn’t having it. “What are you standing

small nod, lifting her

their heights became painfully obvious. Without the extra height from her heels, Hadley barely reached Eric’s shoulders, making

Hadley stretched onto her toes, he exhaled sharply

you even

“I can.”

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