Chapter 2047

"Pretty well, actually. Yannick has treated me with nothing but kindness. He planned to bring me over to see you today, but when you weren't here at first, he headed in to work."

She chose those words carefully, hoping to sweep away the old tension that still lingered between the two men.

A flicker-almost irritation-crossed Nicholas' face, though he masked it quickly. "If he treats you well, that's all that matters."

"Mm." Jocelyn lowered her eyes, then took a half-step back. "If there's nothing else, I should go."

She needed to let Yannick know she had found Nicholas.

Nicholas' voice softened, almost pleading. "It's been ages since we sat down and really talked. Stay and share a meal with me before you go, will you?"

Jocelyn shook her head. "I'd better not. Yannick is waiting for me to come home."

Nicholas arched an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say he was at work?" He chuckled, gentle yet persistent. "Relax. It's only dinner-nothing more than a conversation." Cornered by his sincerity, Jocelyn could only nod. "All right."

They walked the short distance to a quiet restaurant.

Inside, Jocelyn selected a bright table pressed against the window-visible to anyone who might pass by. She wanted no misunderstandings.

Nicholas studied the deliberate choice, understanding the unspoken fear behind it. A shadow crossed his eyes before he forced it away.

slid the leather-bound menu toward

thinking, Jocelyn chose the dishes she used to order for him every

his assistant. It felt


head. "Don't you

"I'm easy. I'll eat whatever's

the menu, hesitated, then

realized, with a small shock, that he did not know Jocelyn's taste in

said, jotting notes

Nicholas, you didn't have

filling one for himself. Steam curled upward between them, carrying an unspoken apology neither quite knew how to voice.

yet firm. "You're not my assistant

So stop taking

we can

way-don't feel you have

by the boundary he had drawn. But her expression did not

"All right," she murmured.


her shoulders, sensed the set of her

understood she would keep looking after him

cup and brought the

the swirling

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