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?”

about?” Hadley blinked, baffled. “He

was just being nice and gave me candy, and you tossed it like it was nothing. Am I supposed to thank you

for that?”

it?” Eric’s eyes narrowed as

there be?” Hadley shot back, still

Alright..

on–it was just some guy nursing an unrequited crush.

hoisting a box with ease. “Quit standing around. Come give

a hand.”

“Alright.”

walked over, her thoughts lingering. Since when had she

in his arms and motioned toward her. “Stack the flour on top. You’re

figured his tone might have

you handle that?” he asked.

“I can.”

a firm nod

you sure that’s

could remember, she had never once seen Eric do any kind of manual labor.

call

let out a mocking scoff as he strode ahead without

his posture radiated irritation.

No one forced him to help, yet he went out of his way to do it and then got annoyed about

fruit bags and

to admit that much. He carried the heavy boxes straight to

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51 You Are Not Allowed To

floor without

“Open the door.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

and dropped the boxes onto

on his face.

forehead and felt a slight pang of guilt. “Do you want to wipe your face? Maybe get some water?”

Eric

“What?”

“A towel.”

“What else do you expect

I’ll grab one!”

the bathroom, grabbed a fresh towel,

expression darkened as he shot her

confusion. What now? What had she

clearly irritated. “You seriously expect me to wipe my

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

you want me to do it

them. No one annoyed Eric more than she

“Or maybe-”

flashing in his eyes. “Just get it over with. This

an elevator.”

it. “What are you standing there

Hadley gave a small nod, lifting her hand as she stepped closer.

barely reached

seemed to take note of that, too. When Hadley stretched onto her toes, he exhaled sharply and leaned down, clearing his throat.

even reach?”

“I can.”

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