Chapter 38
Dawson thought, “Where the bell did that third time come from?”
He shot Rice a chilly look and said flatly, “If your eyes aren’t work
ding, parget them checked”
Race wasn’t even a line offended. He grinned and replied, “Damn, you’re mean, I love it. Just don’t go scaring off your secret crush.”
Dawson was exasperated
Meanwhile, Autumn could only catch bits of the conversation, so she didn’t know exactly what was said. Her first thought was that Dawn clearly had a thing for collecting glassware, especially from this brand. Her second thought was the coincidence of bumping into him.
Stat people hated running into someone they know when out shopping alone–Autumn certainly did.
“Today, Dawson wan’t in this usual formal wear. He were an all–black athletic outfit with a long black coat–the same brand as the one he’d thrown before, just a different cut. His sharp deatures were as flawless as ever, and his whole vibe still screamed untouchable.
Nonetheless, since they had crossed paths, Autumn could not possibly just ignore him. So, she called out across the store, “Mr. Faulkner.”
Dawson turned with a cold, impassive glance. That one look chilled her slightly, so she didn’t say more just nodded politely and turned back to finish paying
Rico capped son on the shoulder. “Fourth time ”
Before Dawson could deliver another cutting remark, co set the glassware. He strolled tight over to Autumn, inserting himself into the checkout process like they’d known each other
far vans
“Hi there, I’m Rico Balacat,” said, flashing a confident an His eyes were beautiful, and the corners of his lips curled naturally, even when he wasn’t smiling
He instantly spinded Autumn of Barry. They wise the same type, really. However, whine Barry was more refined, Rico had that charming bad–boy energy. It fit–Barry had that polished Southern grace, while a clearly carried the boldness of the North
“Nice to meet you. I’m Autumn Gray,” she replied.
“I’m Damon’s friend. He just go back to the country, so few in from Clerestia in catch up,” Rico said, motioning to the white tennis shirt under his leather jacket. “You probably guessed—
playedtennis this afternoon. Do you play? Let’s play together sometime,
mumun wana little exasperated, thinking core talked a lot. She did play tennis, but she simply said, “Nope.”
wawed off. “Now, Dawson can teach you. He’s amazing at it–super legant when he plays. Honestly, you’d regret not seeing in. Oh, excuse me, can add Ms. Gray’s bill too?” There was no pause between his words and actions. He’d already pulled out his black card and handed it to the cashier. The shift was so fast and smooth that by the time Autumn realized what was happening, the card had already been accepted.
“Wait, that’s not necessary, 1 cm pay for it myself,” she protested. She reached to grab the check, bo Rico lightly blocked hor
” Gray, come on, don’t be shy. It’s just a glass. It basely costs anything And hey, funny coincidence–Dawson loves this brand. I was planning to get him a matching set anyway, a little houanarming gift for the new place by the way, have you seen it? I haven’t even been there you,
As he rattled off that stream of cation, the cashier had already packed the glass and handed in over. Rico nudged the bag toward her with a casual flick of his chin, looking relased but unnistakably assertive. “Talia it”
Autuna glanced at Dawson, silently asking for help. Dawson mit her eyes for a brief moment, then looked at Rico, and his stase was ke–cold. “Get over here.”
The Weaking her from Cert was alaldof no one except Dawson Ms. Gray, catch you another tine!” he called quiddy, halfway digging for his phone, probably to get her number.
However, Dawn was already walling out the door
“Shit,” Bromuntered, then tossed her a rushed “Opel” before vanishing after him.
datuma was stunned speechless, thinking “What the hell en just happened!”
Still, che really did love the tree–shaped glass and didn’t turn it sheed, “Do you then
“Tigla inside your bog,” the cashier said.
the glanced at sam that the glass was paid at 30 thousand dollars. “Might, thank you.”
receipt!
Alter a quiet dinner in the mall foodcout, pin, she lay in bed and opened WhatsApp. Then, she snapped a picture of the receipt and sent it to Dawson with a single message. “Let me pay back the 18 thousand dollars.”
datum returned home, the cally placed her new in wardrobe, set the glass on display shelt, and showered. An exactly to on
