<b>Chapter</b><b>291</b>


    WastheresomebadbloodbetweenhimandDorothybehindthescenes?


    Gregoryhalf–closedhiseyes,soundingutterlycasual,“Don’ttteryourself.Iwaslookingforward todealingwithhermyself.”


    Ipromptlyresponded,“Fine,thentoday’sdamnisonyou“.


    IcouldgetbackatDorothywhilekeepingmyhandsclean.Whythehellnot?


    Gregorygavemeasidence,chuckling,Jane,yousureknowhowtoclimbthdder,huh?”


    “GuessIdo!”ughed,“Butwhendidyoucatchwindofit?”


    GregorylookedatmelikeIwasafool.“YouthinkJarrodwouldmakeamovewithoutgivingmeaheads–up?”


    Ifurrowedmybrows,thinkingitover,anditclicked.“Gotit.”


    JarrodwouldtellGregoryaboutitIfGregorynodded,itwaslikeJarrodwasdoingGregoryafavorsinceIhadleveragedGregory’s.influencewhenIapproachedhimthatday.Ifthingswentsouth,Gregorywouldbetheretobackhimup.AndifGregoryobjected,itwouldbeevenbetterforJarrod.Hewouldn’thavetoriskfacingretaliationfromtheMyersfamily.Eitherway,hewassittingprettyWhenbackatRiverVi,wepartedwaysafterexitingtheelevator,eachheadingtoourapartment.


    Ihadbarelycrashedonthecouchwhenthedoorbellrang.


    Wassomeonehavingsecondthoughtsabouttakingtheme?


    zilymademywaytotheentrance,twistingthedoorknobwhilecasuallysaying,“Mr.Ford,you’vechangedyourmindabouttakingthefall,<b>have</b>you?”


    But standingtherewas Mark.Hisfacewasallsmiles,buthiseyesmomentarilyfrozewhenheheardmementionGregoryandthensoftenedagain,“Jane,haven’thad dinneryet,haveyou?”


    “Notyet.”Ishookmyheadandsmiled.“Mark,whatbringsyouhere?”


    “Igotoffworkearlytodayandpickedupsomethingforyoutoeat.”Heliftedthetakeawaybaginhishand,“You’resuretoloveit”


    Inoticedthelogoonthebag,feelingsurprised,“Isn’tthatseafoodjointwayupnorth?Traffic’sanightmare,nottomentionthewait…”ThatcewasaninstitutioninRiverCity.Weusedtogotherebackincollege.Backthen,boundlessenergy,we’dtrekanydistanceforagoodmeal


    Mark’s smilewasgentle.“Ifitmakesyouhappy,I’druntillmylegsfelloff.”


    “Thanks,Mark”Ihesitatedbeforetakingtheinstedbagfromhim,smiling,“Youmustbehungry,too.Joinme?


    AsIspoke,Ibentdowntograbapairofslippersfromtheshoecab.


    “it’dberudetorefuseHesteppedinside,hiseyeslightingupwithjoy,feeling<b>as</b>ifhavingdinnerwithmewasthehighlightofhisday.ButIwasworriedIcouldn’tgivehimbackthesamekindofdeep,reallovehewasshowingme.


    Markcameover,helpingmeunpackthebag,dishbydish.Thearomawasenticing.


    Itriedthespicyfish,andimmediately,myappetitesurged,“TastesjustasamazingasIremember!”


    “Knewyou’dloveit”Markwasclearlyrelieved,hissmilelightinguphiswholeface.“Ifyoulikeit,Icanmakethetripmoreoften.”


    “Noneed.It’stoofarItookashrimp,gentlydeclining,“Withtrafficandwaiting,it’sathreetofour–hourroundtrip,notworthit.”Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Hisgazeintensified.“If<b>you</b>likeit,it’sworthit.”