Oliver watched as she devoured her meal with gusto and poured her another ss of ice-cold beer. The two of them ate and sipped on their beers, chatting away like old friends who hadn''t seen each other for years.


    Just as Josefina was sinking her teeth into a drumstick, her phone buzzed. She nced at the message and nearly lost her appetite.


    It was Luke. [Boss, those guys got picked up! Could it be Oliver? Will they spill the beans about your martial arts skills?]


    Luke wanted to add, "Is your secret identity still intact?"


    Josefina looked up to find Oliver''s gaze on her. "Everything alright?" he asked.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Josefina shed a smile. "Nah, just some spam."


    She peeled off her gloves and took a long swig of the refreshingly cold beer - pure bliss. "Oliver, did you have someone take care of those punks we ran into today?"


    Oliver gave her a meaningful look. "How did you know? Josie, I didn''t realize you knew me so well."


    Josefina was silent for a moment before saying, "Knowing how you operate, I figured you wouldn''t let them off the hook that easily."


    Oliver let out a roguish chuckle, his handsome features even more striking with that wicked grin. "Josie, you probably understand me best."


    With that, Oliver had indirectly admitted to it. Josefina probed further, "Didn''t you check their backgrounds?"


    As Oliver poured another beer, he didn''t need to look up to know what she was really asking. "Nope."


    He met her gaze. "Didn''t you say they were opportunists? I trust your judgment, Josie."


    Josefina''s face flickered with disbelief - was Oliver taking her at her word? Could Oliver be deceiving her?


    He certainly wasn''t one to take anyone at face value.


    Before Josefina could press further, Oliver added, "I came here to enjoy a midnight feast with you. My guys were meant to deal with those thugs but haven''t called me yet." S


    Josefina dropped the subject. Any more questions would only make her look suspicious.


    After theirte-night snack, Oliver tidied up the table and wiped it down one more time.


    Josefina watched him in surprise. "Didn''t peg you as a tidy-up kind of guy. So, can you cook too?"


    Oliver dried his hands. "Sure can. My mom always said that a man who can''t cook or clean will struggle to find a partner."


    Josefina almost asked if Rowan could cook as well.


    Oliver spoke inly, "Rowan''s a whiz in the kitchen. But when he saw how savvy my mom was in business and overshadowing him, things started to change."


    Oliver''s eyes burned with intensity


    he doted on her. "Josie, you could have any talent, and I wouldn''t change. No matter how amazing you are, I''ll stay the same."


    His gaze made Josefina blush, and she looked away shyly. "When are you leaving?" she asked, nodding towards the clock on the wall. It was already nine. If he wasn''t leaving


    soon, was he nning to


    night?


    ay the


    Oliver picked up a bag from near the window. "Brought my pajamas, so don''t worry about me."


    Josefina was flustered. Worry about him? She was trying to hint that he should leave!


    "Oliver, it''s not proper for us to be alone together overnight. You should head out." She stood by the window, gesturing towards the door.


    Oliver approached with a yful smile, wrapping his arm around Josefina''s waist. "What if I told you I n on spending the night?"