Chapter 171 I Won’t Compete With You

Eric couldn’t wrap his head around it. Even after everything, Hadley still seemed to keep him at arm’s length.

His brows drew together as he studied her. “What’s on your mind?”

Hadley blinked up at him. “Why? You upset?”

She paused, and then let out a quiet laugh, her tone light but deliberate. “You know, things are kind of perfect the way they are right now.” She leaned back slightly, her lips curving with amusement. “Seeing each other once in a while keeps things interesting. If we moved in together, all that excitement would wear off, and soon enough… we’d just start getting on each other’s nerves.”

“I wouldn’t.” Eric’s response was immediate, firm.

Hadley arched a brow. “Oh? You sure about that?”

Tilting her head, she shot him a knowing look. “Think back, Mr. Flynn. I used to be around you all the time, and if I remember correctly… you hated it.”

So, she really went there. The past–the version of him who had pushed her away at every turn.

His jaw tightened, but Eric couldn’t argue. She wasn’t wrong. He had been reckless with her before, taking for granted what he hadn’t realized he wanted until now.

For a moment, silence settled between them, thick and unspoken.

Hadley caught the shift in his expression, the way his mood darkened. Great, now he was brooding.

With a quiet sigh, she smirked and casually reached over, looping her pinky around his.

Eric’s sharp gaze flickered to her hand, and then back to her face. “What are you up to now?”

Hadley’s grin widened. She gestured toward her plate, eyes flicking up to meet his. “It’s too much I won’t be able to finish it all. Help me out?”

Eric chuckled under his breath. She sure knew how to get her way.

And yet, without a second thought, his body moved on instinct. He took her plate, effortlessly giving in. “Alright, I’ll finish it.”

What could he do?

She had him wrapped around her finger. Everything about her–her tone, her words–was always just right. Not too forceful, not too timid. And that voice of hers? Soft, smooth, the kind that lingered in his ears long after she stopped speaking.

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20:45

temper, sure. But never in

her, everything just

talk about moving in together for now.” Letting out a

So, you still need

it for a second.

If she wanted to conceive as soon as possible, she might

in her hands, flashing

Eric could respond,

those people

as intoxicating as their

however, had a trip to make to the neighboring city. They left together, and when

you up

day after tomorrow,”

before stepping onto the sidewalk. She stood there, watching

glancing at the rearview mirror–again and again. His lips curled into an

He had been married before. To

experiencing the small, subtle joys of being with someone–the

was unlike anything he’d felt before.

drifted, his phone buzzed

was a message from

I’m

tiny emoji of a

Huh? Eric blinked.

Hadley was already gone, having disappeared into

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20:46

I Won’t Compete With

sales assistant’s expression turned uneasy as she spoke hesitantly to

isn’t for

Linda arched a brow, tilting

It’s still hanging here, isn’t it? That means, it

assistant

curved into

about this?” she suggested smoothly. “I won’t waste your time–name your price. I’ll pay

her fingers grazed

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