Chapter 397
Chapter 397:
Kailey cast a quick glance toward the back seat, then looked away. Her feelings about Benny were tangled. From the very first time they met, he had given her a strange sense of familiarity. Yet the more she thought about it, the more he felt like a complete stranger. Every encounter with him felt like starting over from zero.
Did she hate him? It was hard to hate someone who looked like that. Benny had a face that naturally drew attention — unless he did something truly unforgivable, resentment didn’t come easily. And yet, just when she began to think she could tolerate him, he would say or do something that made her jaw tighten in irritation.
As they approached the restaurant, her phone vibrated. Quentin had sent her a message asking if Benny was with her.
Kailey lifted her eyes and caught Benny’s reflection in the rearview mirror. He was staring out the window. The wind pressed hard against the glass, and he sat with that careless, unrestrained posture that somehow suited him perfectly. She lowered her gaze and typed a simple reply: “Yes p>
Another message came through. “He’s been living abroad for too long. He doesn’t watch what he says or does. If he crosses the line, tell me p>
Her lips curved faintly as she read it. Tell him? Even Kyson couldn’t fully rein Benny in. What difference would it make to involve Quentin, who was far more easygoing? If anything, Benny would only push further. She sent back a vague response and slipped her phone away.
The car pulled into the underground parking lot, and they stepped out. Kyson reached for her hand just as she was about to speak, and a mocking snort sounded from beside them.
She turned her head. Of course — that infuriating young man never missed a chance to make his presence known.
She lifted her chin and looked at Kyson. “What should we eat? I haven’t had proper comfort food in forever. Let’s get some soup p>
Kyson hadn’t even opened his mouth when Benny cut in. “No. I’m eating fondue p>
𝖬𝘰𝘴t r𝖾𝘢𝗱 𝗍𝗁i𝗌 𝗐𝗲е𝘬 оո
“Then go by yourself p>
His temper snapped. His gaze dropped to their clasped hands, and the sight only darkened his expression further. “Fine. Eat whatever you want. Damn it p>
Kailey raised a brow and looked away, satisfied with that small win.
Benny shoved his hands into his pockets and walked ahead without waiting for them. Kyson let out a low laugh. “Enjoying this p>
The two of them really did act like children. Benny lost his temper easily, yet Kailey always managed to outmaneuver him without much effort.
“He’s the one who keeps provoking me,” Kailey said with a soft snort. “I’m not someone he can bully p>
“You’re the fiercest one here p>
Kyson studied her face as she tried to look serious. The stubborn tilt of her chin made her look unexpectedly adorable, and warmth filled his eyes before he could hide it.
The elevator doors slid shut, leaving only the two of them inside as it moved upward. Kyson gave in to the impulse he’d been holding back. He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers.
Neither of them pulled away. It was only a brief kiss, yet it lingered longer than any heated embrace.