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Chapter 124
Vivian forced a tight smile that didn’t even try to reach her eyes. “As long as Miss Riley likes it.”
“What’s with the ‘Miss Riley‘?” Mia chirped with a smirk. “You should be calling her “sister–in–law” by now.”
Vivian’s jaw tightened. “Old habits die hard.”
Meanwhile, Charlotte picked up a slice of grilled short rib with her fork and held it out to Sean.
“Here, try this one. Just made it.”
She didn’t even bother grabbing a clean fork. She just used the one she had been eating with. Sean didn’t hesitate. He leaned forward and let her feed him, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Vivian’s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles tumed white.
Sean smiled, eyes curved gently. “That’s really good.”
Charlotte beamed, clearly pleased.
Vivian’s smile vanished completely. Her voice dropped an octave, cold and flat. “I’ll go eat with the others.”
Charlotte acted like she didn’t notice the stormy look on her face. She flashed her brightest smile and asked sweetly, “You sure, Vivian? I’ve got more. Sean said it’s delicious.”
“I’m good.”
Vivian turned stiffly and walked away, her expression stormy.
Across the table, Charlotte exchanged a knowing smile with Mia. Lena tried to hold back a laugh and gave Charlotte a subtle thumbs–up.
Sean knew full well that Charlotte had just put on a little performance for Vivian and he had played along without missing a beat.
Now that Vivian was gone, he wasn’t ready to drop the act just yet.
Still smiling, he leaned in. “Lottie, I want another one of those wings. Feed me?”
Charlotte gave him a look. “Get it yourself.”
Ian burst out laughing. “You serious, Sean? You’re at the point where you need her to feed you now? Who even are you?”
Sean lounged back in his chair, clearly in a good mood. His eyes sparkled with mischief. “What’s wrong? Jealous? Ask your girlfriend to feed you. Oh wait–don’t tell me you still don’t have one?”
lan froze mid–laugh. His grin vanished in an instant. He clutched his chest dramatically, eyes wide in mock pain.
“Dainn, man. That was a low blow. Who roasts their own friend like that?”
He turned to Mia for support.“Mia, c’mon. Feed me. We can’t lose this battle!”
Without missing a beat, Miastabbed a grilled bun with her fork and stuffed it into his mouth. “Eat up. Choke on it if you want.”
“Mmmph-” lan tried to protest, but she held firm, muffling his words.
The table roared with laughter.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Vivian was seething.
Charlotte and Sean had just rubbed their relationship right in her face and she could practically feel the steam coming out of her ears,
The disposable fork in her hand snapped.
She narrowed her eyes.
“Fine, Charlotte. Let’s see how long you can keep smiling,” she muttered to herself.
After lunch and a short break, the group got ready to start the hike
Ian and Mia led the way up the trail, followed closely by Jordan and Lena. Behind them were Zac, Vivian, and her friends.
Charlotte and Sean took up the rear.
Sean walked beside her the whole way, their hands intertwined.
“It’s about a two–hour hike to the top lookout,” he said, glancing at her. “You up for it?”
Chapter 124
+25 Bonus
“Of course. I love hiking. Being out in nature clears my head, and it’s not too tiring either,” Charlotte said with a relaxed smile.
Sean knew she had always been into the outdoors. Back in college, she used to go hiking and rock climbing with her club all the time. He just figured that since she had graduated, she hadn’t had much chance to do that anymore and he wasn’t sure if she would still be used to it.
