Chapter 152

I looked at Royce in surprise. "Where'd you order this from? I gotta get food from there too, it's amazing."

Royce was still unpacking the bags and said, "I'll tell you later. Even if I told you now, you wouldn't remember. Just eat first. When you want it again, let me know and I'll order it for you."

I figured he wouldn't tell me tonight, so I just nodded. No way was I relying on him next time. I'd find out the restaurant's name myself and order it.

Over the years, Suncrest City's cuisine had spread across the country, but only the dishes I had as a kid felt truly authentic. The versions I had in Skyview City never quite hit the mark.

I thought only Kelly could recreate that taste, but who knew Royce could randomly pick a place that nailed it too.

Even though I wasn't hungry, I ended up eating a lot because the food was just that good.

After finishing, I slumped back in my chair, satisfied, and let out a deep breath.

"Looks like I can't come to your place anymore. I'll probably gain a couple of pounds from this visit."

Royce glanced at me and chuckled. "You're so skinny right now, you should eat more and put on some weight. Otherwise, it hurts when you poke me."

At first, I didn't get what he meant. Then I suddenly looked up. "What do you mean, it hurts when I poke you?"

I remembered when I accidentally bumped into him while helping him to bed earlier. "You mean back then? You were still conscious?"

Royce realized he had slipped up and quickly avoided my gaze. "I didn't say anything. You're overthinking it."

I stared at him, questioning. "Were you not actually drunk? I was wondering how you could get that drunk on red wine."

"This isn't hard liquor, the alcohol content isn't that high. So, were you pretending the whole time?"

Royce coughed a couple of times, avoiding my eyes. "It's late, your hair is dry now. Go to bed."

I wasn't about to let it go. I stepped closer, staring him down. "Tell me the truth. I hate being lied to."

Royce sighed helplessly and nodded. "I wasn't drunk, but I was really tired."

"I thought you'd just leave me there and go, but you insisted on helping me to bed. Everything else was an accident."

I glared at him, gritting my teeth. "So, you knew I was sleeping in your bed?"

Royce nodded slowly, as if afraid I'd get mad. "Yes."

I was furious. I grabbed a pillow from the couch and threw it at him. "You knew and didn't send me home? You weren't even drunk! Why did you keep me here?"

Royce suddenly grabbed my wrists, holding them tightly. He looked at me earnestly. "Do you really not know why I wanted you to stay?"

I panicked, my earlier bravado gone. Now it was my turn to feel guilty. "I don't care why you wanted me to stay. I'm going to bed, and I'm leaving first thing in the morning."

But Royce didn't let go of my hands.

I could feel the atmosphere getting tense and tried to pull away, but I couldn't.

"Let go of me."

My voice softened involuntarily, sounding almost like a plea.

I was surprised at how soft my voice had become and quickly shut my mouth.

But Royce's deep eyes were still fixed on me. He said, "I know what you meant when you talked to me at the supermarket."

"I've been waiting for you all these years."

When he said that, it felt like fireworks exploded in my mind, leaving me at a loss for how to react.

He had been waiting for me? Really?

I, a woman who had a child and was married for so long, was worth waiting for? I thought self-deprecatingly.

But Royce seemed to understand what I was thinking and hugged me tightly.

His arms held my shoulders firmly, making it impossible for me to move.

"I know what you're thinking, but don't think that way."

"To me, you'll always be the best. No matter what you've been through, it only adds to your charm. It just makes me love you more."

My heart was pounding. His chest was pressed against mine, and I could feel his heart beating just as fast. He was as nervous as I was.

"Royce..."

I didn't know what to say.

"I haven't moved on from my last marriage, and I don't want to jump into another relationship anytime soon."

"You understand what I mean, right? So..."

Before I could finish, he placed a finger on my lips. "I know what you mean, but I'm willing to wait. I don't mind."

He lifted his head and leaned in.

I panicked and closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of his face getting closer.

Finally, his lips brushed against mine, sending a shiver through my body.

It felt like electricity, and my mind exploded with fireworks.

Thankfully, Royce's kiss was brief. He pulled back and said, "It's late. You should go to bed."

I nodded frantically, pulling away from his warm hand and rushing to one of the rooms.

Once inside, I realized it was Royce's master bedroom.

I had to go back out and tell him, "This seems to be your room. Where's the guest room? I'll sleep there."

Royce lit a cigarette and waved me off. "I'll sleep in the guest room. You take the master bedroom."

I couldn't handle his intense gaze and quickly ran inside, closing the door behind me.

Lying in bed, surrounded by Royce's scent, I found it hard to sleep.

My mind was filled with thoughts of Royce's kiss.

It made my heart race more than it did in high school.

Back then, it took him a month after we started dating to hold my hand. I thought he didn't like me.

But later, I heard from Royce's friends that he was just too nervous to touch me.

When I found out, I teased him about it for a long time.

Royce, always so cool and aloof, had a weakness. I couldn't resist making fun of him.

But then Royce got angry and suddenly kissed me hard on the lips, then asked me in a low voice, "Do you think I'm afraid now?"

I was so shocked that I ran home.

When I got home, I flopped onto my bed, kicking and flailing, making my parents come in to ask what was wrong.