Chapter 162
What She Never Took Off.
The bookstore had settled into silence.
Most of the lights were dimmed, leaving only the warm lamps near the reading area on. Outside, the city moved on without them. Inside, time slowed.
The small table beside the lounge chairs held the quiet evidence of the evening- empty plates, a few crumbs, and two half-finished cups pushed slightly aside. They had eaten without noticing when the conversation had faded, and the reading had begun.
Serena sat curled on one of the lounge chairs, a book open in her hands. She wasn’t fully aware of how long she had been reading, only that the world felt quieter. Nathaniel sat beside her at first, skimming through his own book. At some point, without either of them acknowledging it, the distance between them disappeared.
His arm came to rest around her shoulders, and Serena leaned into him without thinking, her head settling against his chest.
The steady rise and fall of his breathing grounded her in a way she hadn’t expected. She could hear the faint sound of pages turning, feel the warmth of him through the fabric of his shirt.
“Don’t reading books bore you?” Nathaniel asked, his fingers running through her hair.
Serena looked up at his handsome face and said, “Don’t reading medical books bore you p>
He laughed, and the lines at the corners of his eyes appeared again, irritatingly familiar.
Pulling her closer to him, he suggested, “Let’s try to read something lighter. It’s already ten p>
Serena chuckled when he grabbed the book guide on how to be a secret lover. He started reading aloud, pausing occasionally to make a face, as if personally offended by every sentence.
“Rule #2: Exit Strategies Must Be Practiced,” he frowned. “Know at least three ways to leave your lover’s room quietly. This includes her office, and even your love nest p>
“We can make my house in Rexam our love nest,” he suggested. “We can use the kids as an excuse for you to visit me p>
Serena cracked up. “You are cruel p>
“No, you are far more cruel,” he said back.
He pointed to the book. “This one is important. Rule #3: Never Leave a Personal Item Behind p>
Nathaniel pinched her cheek. “You need to remind me to take my underwear, and even our used condoms, if we ever do it in your room or in your office p>
“Rule #10: Remember, You Are Not in Control,” he continued to read. “If you are alone, truly alone, seize the moment. Spontaneous intimacy tends to linger in the memory. Maybe just maybe you will win your lover’s heart p>
“Really? That’s in the book?” Serena asked, still laughing.
“No,” Nathaniel said. “I made that part up. This author has no optimism whatsoever p>
He flipped ahead a few pages. “Honestly, I don’t think she’s very good at this p>
Serena was thoroughly laughing, and it would have been even more entertaining if they had kept reading the book, except her phone rang. She picked up and heard ber father’s voice.
“Serena,” Sterling said, “it’s time to come home. There’s a problem at the company,
and we need to face it as a family p>
“Is it about the problem with the sales managers?” Serena asked, sitting up.
18et
“No. We have a new problem. Our competitor published its patent the same kind of massage chair we are working on, and it’s similar to ours,” Sterling revealed.
“What?” Serena gripped the phone tightly. She had been working on that project for nearly a year. The thought of its design being stolen angered her.
“Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Nathan can update us about the case. I need you here tomorrow,” Sterling said.
“Okay,” Serena answered. “I’ll be there. I’ll book the first flight out p>
She explained everything to Nathaniel and said, “We need to head back so I can pack p>
As they gathered their things, Nathaniel asked, “Do you need my help p>
“I’ll let you know if we don’t manage to sort it out,” Serena said. “Let’s go p>
The next day, Nathaniel drove
Serena to the airport at five in the morning. He had booked a private
or her when Serena had only seant to take a commercial ones
“After Eastwind Air 1016?” he said. “I’m never going to let you take a commercial flight. Not while I’m alive p>
At the airport tarmac, Nathaniel held Serena’s hand and said, “Listen, I’ll be very busy in the next few days, but I’ll see the kids this Sunday for sure p>
“Don’t rush it,” Serena said, gripping his hand tighter. “Do what you must. The kids will understand. You’re a busy man p>
Then, out of nowhere, Nathaniel looked at her wrist. “Where is your bracelet p>
He was referring to the charm bracelet he had given her.
“It’s there,” Serena said, pulling up the sleeve of her coat. “See p>
“I thought you didn’t wear it.” Nathaniel caressed the bracelet and looked into her eyes. “Promise me you’ll never take this off p>
Serena frowned a little. She realized it was the second time Nathaniel had said that. But she didn’t think much about it and said, “I haven’t taken it off p>
“Good.” He smiled, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Take care p>
As Serena walked toward the plane, the bracelet felt heavier than it should have,
though it looked no different than before.
She didn’t know yet why Nathaniel had looked relieved.