Chapter 4

By the time the meeting wrapped up, it was already eleven.

I hadn't had a chance to eat anything that morning, so my stomach was starting to feel a little off.

Mia went to get coffee for everyone.

Before long, a dozen cups of coffee were brought in.

Mia set an iced one in front of me.

I'd barely lifted the cup of coffee when a hand reached over from beside me and whisked it away.

I looked up.

It was Ethan. He slid the iced coffee over to his side.

"Did you have breakfast?" he asked.

"Nope," I said.

"Then don't drink anything cold." With that, he handed me his own glass of warm water.

It was so natural, like he'd done it a thousand times before.

Mia paused for a second, her hand hovering mid-air.

Bill was busy on his phone, completely oblivious to what was happening.

However, Lucas noticed every little thing. He immediately frowned.

"She never drinks cold stuff anyway," he said.

I froze for a second.

Lucas glanced at Ethan, as if he was correcting someone who didn't know me well. "She's got a sensitive stomach. Back in college, she ended up in the hospital because of it. Ever since then, she's barely touched anything cold."

Ethan gave me a look. "Is that so?"

I picked up the iced coffee and took a sip.

"Guess I can drink it now," I said.

Lucas's expression froze for a second. "And when did that change?" he asked.

"I can't really remember," I said.

"Why?"

I was baffled by his question. "Do I need a reason to have a cup of coffee?"

Lucas stared at me, as if for the first time, he'd discovered something about me that he didn't know.

After a few seconds, he smiled. "You never liked iced coffee before."

I didn't say anything.

In fact, I never actually disliked iced coffee that much.

But Lucas's stomach was worse than mine. Back in college, we were broke. We'd usually share a cup of coffee, and he couldn't drink anything cold.

Eventually, everyone thought I was the one who didn't drink cold stuff.

Lucas believed that, too.

We booked lunch at a cozy spot near the publishing house.

Since we still had work later, everyone went over together.

Lucas took the seat next to me again.

Ethan settled in across from me.

Lucas casually took the beef taco away from me once the dishes were served.

"Don't eat that," he said. "It's too spicy."

My hand paused mid-air.

"Why can't I eat it?" I asked.

Lucas frowned. "Since when do you eat spicy food?"

I ignored him, took the taco back, and started eating. The beef was spicy and delicious.

Lucas's face finally dropped. "Claire, are you doing this on purpose?"

I put down my fork. "I'm just having lunch. What are you talking about?"

"You never used to touch this stuff."

"Just because I didn't eat it before doesn't mean I can't now."

Lucas fell silent.

Ethan pushed a glass of warm water toward me. "Don't eat too much," he said. "If your stomach hurts again this afternoon, you'll have to take medicine."

I nodded.

Lucas shot Ethan a look, one that was clearly more guarded now. "Mr. Parker, you and Claire are pretty close, huh?"

Ethan stayed calm. "We've been working together for a while."

"No wonder," Lucas said with a smile. "She always forgets to take care of herself when she's working. Mr. Parker, could you help keep an eye on her and remind her to take care of herself?"

I almost choked.

Ethan looked up. "Mr. Grant, did you used to remind her too?"

Lucas leaned back, looking like he was slipping right back into his old groove. "Of course.

"We were together for seven years. I know her inside out.

"She's got a sensitive stomach, can't handle the cold, never eats spicy food, and dislikes cold drinks.

"She won't drive alone after 11 PM, and she always keeps a bedside lamp on when she sleeps."

With every word Lucas said, I felt more and more absurd.

I wasn't moved.

Everything he said sounded true, but I wasn't the girl he was talking about anymore.

Three years was enough time for a city to build a new subway line, and people change quicker than that.

But Lucas was still clinging to the old things from three years back. He was sure I was still the same person.

Ethan took a slow sip of water. "You've got a sharp memory, Mr. Grant."

Lucas smiled. "It's not about remembering. It's about understanding.

"Claire is pretty stubborn. Once she's into something, she'll stick with it for years."

After he finished, his gaze landed on me, saying more than words ever could.

I couldn't be bothered to respond.

But Ethan suddenly asked, "Does that go for people too?"

Lucas answered without hesitation, "Of course."

Ethan stared at him for a moment. "You're pretty confident."

"It's not about confidence," Lucas said, chuckling softly. "That's simply how she is."

Ethan fell silent.

After lunch, Lucas got a call and headed down to the underground parking lot.

I stayed behind to confirm the afternoon interview time with Ethan.

Mia's face was flushed because she had been holding it in the whole time.

Once she was sure Lucas was out of earshot, she finally scooted over.

She said, "Mr. Parker, you really have the patience of a saint."

Ethan gathered up his papers.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

Mia said, "Lucas just straight up told you that your wife was into him for years.

"If I were you, I'd have splashed my drink in his face."

I shot her a glare.