The owner was starting to get impatient. “So, what’ll it be, you two? I’m busy here—don’t have time to play games!”
If Caitlin and Gordon weren’t so good-looking, he’d have snapped at them already.
Caitlin cut the discussion short. “Two bowls of beef noodle soup, mildly spicy.”
Then, as if something struck her, she turned to Gordon. “You okay with mild spice?”
“I am.” Gordon nodded and reached for the pitcher, pouring Caitlin a glass of water.
“Thanks.”
Hearing this little exchange, the owner glanced at them and couldn’t resist teasing, “You two are awfully polite for a couple!”
Caitlin looked up. “You’ve got it wrong, sir. We’re not together.”
The owner just grinned. “I get it, I get it. You young couples love to keep up the act, huh? No need to explain.” Despite his age, he prided himself on being hip, convinced he understood young people and all their little games.
With that, he turned and bustled off toward the kitchen.
Caitlin just shook her head, speechless.
Moments later, she sipped her water and glanced at Gordon. “Don’t mind the owner. He’s always like this.”
Gordon arched a brow. “You think I’m that petty?”
“Of course not. Boss Sylvester’s the most easygoing man I know.”
Soon enough, their bowls of beef noodle soup arrived, just as Caitlin had asked—steaming, fragrant, and absolutely mouthwatering.
When it came time to pay, Gordon was floored by the price, wondering if he’d misheard. “Sorry, how much did you say for the two soups?”
“Ten bucks.” The owner didn’t even look up from his work. “But your wife already paid, so you’re all set.”
Gordon pulled a crisp hundred-dollar bill from his wallet and handed it over. “Keep the change.”
He liked this owner. The man had a way with words.
If Skyler Cumming had seen this, he would’ve been shocked speechless. His notoriously stingy uncle, leaving a tip—and not just any tip, but a hundred bucks! That was practically a cosmic event.
Payment settled, Gordon walked to the door. “Catie, thanks for breakfast. Next time, it’s on me.”
Farrell narrowed his eyes.
Gordon met Farrell’s gaze. His eyes were deep and unreadable, carrying a quiet, dangerous intensity. Even Farrell—who’d grown up abroad and rubbed shoulders with all sorts of big shots—couldn’t help feeling a flicker of unease.
Farrell quickly broke eye contact and turned back to Caitlin. “Miss Kensington, about that WhatsApp message last time—”
“Woof.” Before he could finish, Monday let out a bark from the crook of Gordon’s arm.
Gordon didn’t miss a beat. “Catie, looks like Monday wants to go home. Shall we?”
Caitlin nodded and turned to Farrell. “Mr. Ryan, we’ll be heading back now.”
Gordon couldn’t suppress a satisfied smile at her use of “we.”
Farrell watched them go, feeling a twinge of defeat. Another day gone, and still no WhatsApp.
The Gonzales family lived just around the corner.
Soon, Caitlin stopped at her gate and turned to Gordon. “I’ll head in now. See you later.”

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