(ARIELLE''S


    POV)


    I froze, locking on the figure heading toward us.


    It was Dwayne, looking effortlessly sharp in casual ck that showed off his lean, athletic build.


    In his hand was a leash attached to a big German shepherd, the dog pacing beside him. Dwayne wore a huge, carefree smile, like nothing had happenedst night. I couldn''t help the feeling of unease that enveloped me. Big Joe cleared his throat, cutting through the silence. "I''m leaving now." With a slight bow, he turned and walked off.


    As he passed Dwayne, he bowed again before continuing on his way.


    I folded my arms and watched Dwayne approach me. "Hey," he greeted, his signature smile stered on his face.


    I felt a jolt of anticipation to see him, and irritation at the same time, wondering why he was here.


    "Hi," I replied, awkwardness creeping into my voice. I wasn''t sure how to act after shutting the door on himst night. Well, not just on him-on Jared, too.


    "What are you doing in my neighborhood this early?" I asked, trying to sound casual. My suspicion was already kicking in. "Don''t tell me..." I raised an eyebrow, my bad feeling growing.


    Heughed lightly, clearly amused. "Nothing gets past you." He paused for effect, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I just moved in next door. Or, well, across the street."


    "You what?" My voice rose slightly.


    He shrugged, all nonchnt, that smile never slipping. "Found a house I liked. Just so happens it''s in this neighborhood."


    Yeah, right. There was no way he''d just stumbled on this ce by chance. My gut told me he''d nned this long beforest night.


    "And you just happened to find a house in my neighborhood?" I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm.


    "Something like that," he said with a smirk. Then, with innocence, he added, "Ostrich, don''t be so hard on me. Ignorest night...you''re not even a little happy to see me? It''s been months since we hadn''t seen each other." My heart skipped a beat, and I almost choked. "Don''t change the subject, Dwayne!"


    Before I could grill him further, he cut me off. "Where''s Maverick? Already off to school?" His eyes scanned the porch and yard like he was expecting my son to pop out any second.


    Right on cue, Maverick''s excited voice rang out. "Uncle Dwayne!" He came barreling out of the car where he''d been waiting with Ashley, catching her off guard as she scrambled after him, her expression a mix of concern and exasperation. Maverick was too quick, though, and threw himself into Dwayne''s arms,ughing. Ashley gave me a helpless shrug, and I nodded in silent understanding.


    Dwayne hoisted Maverick up, spinning him around, both of themughing like they hadn''t just seen each other yesterday.


    "Hey, buddy! I''ve got someone for you to meet," Dwayne said, setting Maverick down and gesturing to the dog.


    The shepherd wagged its tail, giving a friendly bark like it was just as excited to be introduced.


    Maverick''s eyes lit up. "Who''s this?"


    Dwayne crouched beside him, ruffling his hair. "Meet Brown, Milo''s dad."


    Maverick gasped in delight, the biggest grin spreading across his face as the dog nuzzled against him. "He likes me!"


    I found myself smiling, too, despite everything. I reached out to pet the dog''s soft fur. Brown leaned into my touch, his tail wagging furiously, and I couldn''t help butugh. So this is where Milo gets his charm. Dwayne watched us with a tender smile. "I''m d you two are hitting it off."


    Then his expression turned serious. "I want to apologize to you, Maverick, and to your Mum, but especially to you as I had already apologized to your mom earlier. I''m sorry for suddenly appearing out of the blue, especially at dinner yesterday." Maverick, still excited from ying with the dog, quickly forgave Dwayne. "It''s Okay, Uncle. I forgive you for being mysterious, and I''m happy you''re here now." He threw his arms around Dwayne''s waist, hugging him tightly.


    I shook my head, wondering if that was how easily children forgave when bribed with a cute dog.


    After the excitement died down, I turned to Maverick, my voice gentle but firm. "Maverick sweetie, why don''t you go back to the car and apologize to Aunt Ashley?"


    As much as I wanted him to apologize to Ashley for being disobedient, I also wanted him away so I could have some private discussion with Dwayne.


    He nodded, still bubbling with excitement. "Okay, Mommy." He hugged Dwayne, and patted the dog before running back to the car.


    As soon as he was out of earshot, I turned to Dwayne with a serious expression. "So, why now?"


    His smile faltered, reced by a more serious look. "I know I caught you off guard, and I''m sorry for that. But I''m not here to make trouble. At least, not for you." I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.novelbin


    He chuckled softly, his gaze steady. "I told you why I came back, Ari. Jared doesn''t get to walk away so easily. I hope you can understand that."


    I narrowed my eyes. "I don''t care about your drama with Jared. Just make sure it doesn''t mess with my life—or Maverick''s."


    "Fair enough," he said, his tone even. Then he added with a faint smile, "But for the record, I''ve also got business here. Real business." "What kind of business?" I asked, skeptical.


    "I''m looking to expand my


    Arielle. To tap into its growing


    market potential and strengthen regional presence. I''ve been scouting locations that offer both strategic visibility and logistical advantages, and I think I''ve found


    the perfect spot."


    He said it in a calm yet professional way, the same tone he''d once used to describe a perfectly grilled fish or the delicate bnce of a soufflé.


    It wasn''t entirely new-thisposed, assured Dwayne. But now, hearing him talk about business with that same steadiness, it hit differently.


    God how I''d missed the signs? What kind of chef had this type of manner? This level of control, the quiet confidence that didn''t need to fill a room but still managed to take up space?


    I sighed, shaking my head as if it would make the thoughts go away, and asked. "By business, do you mean your Mafia stuff?"


    He chuckled, not taking offense like I


    feared. "No, it''s not. I do not intend to bring that over here. I''ll only maintain the already existing ones, but definitely not bring anything new. You have my words ari. I won''t do anything to harm you or Maverick. You are thest treasure I want to protect in this world."


    His eyes shinning with sincerity that block away all my sarcasticments. I turned around, trying to ignore this man''s annoying random flirt.


    "...Fair now," I nodded. "Keep your words. It sounds like a huge project and I hope things go well for you," I said thest words with all sincerity because I actually meant them.


    "Thank you."


    I nodded, "you''re wee."


    There was an awkward pause as it seemed like we had nothing else to say. I nced at my wrist watch and realized Maverick and I had less than 15 minutes to make it to work and school, respectively. I was just about to announce my decision to leave, when Dwayne spoke up.


    "And Arielle?" He called.


    I looked up at him, my expression questioning.


    "I''m sorry."


    I blinked, caught off guard. "This time for what?"


    "For everything. I owe you an apology. I know you''re not ready butst night I was pushing you into something you may not need for now. I shouldn''t do that. Please don''t feel stressed."


    I was momentarily stunned, at a loss on what to say. It was not just the fact that I was not expecting those words, or the words themselves, but the sincerity in his eyes.


    I studied him carefully, long enough that even Dwayne, always soposed, began to shift under my gaze. He blinked, breaking the silence.


    "What if I said I was still mad?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.


    Dwayne''s expression flickered with surprise, but he recovered quickly, his lips curling into a slow, yful smile. "Then bite me."


    "Sorry, what?"


    He held out his hand, those emerald eyes twinkling. "Bite me. I''m serious. If it''ll make you feel better, go ahead."


    I arched an eyebrow, trying to mask the heat crawling up my neck. "Are you provoking me?"


    His lips twitched into a daring smirk, but he said nothing, just held his hand steady. The silence dared me forward.


    Without thinking-or maybe thinking


    too much—I leaned in and pretended


    to bite him, my teeth hovering a whisper away from his skin. I could


    cent of


    feel the warmth of his hand, the faint scent of his cologne teasing the edge of my senses, and for a split


    second, the world narrowed to just


    us.


    I froze. A low chuckle from him broke the spell, and I nced up to find him watching me intently, his gaze darker, unreadable now.


    And then there was the dog, its head tilted curiously, as if questioning my sanity right alongside me.


    What is wrong with me!


    Heat red across my face, and I jerked back as though burned, rolling my eyes in ame attempt to recover.


    "Stupid man." I muttered, trying not to look at him.


    Dwayne justughed softly. "Lovely woman" He whispered.