Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 17

Landon stared at the small cake in front of him, unable to stop his mind from drifting back to that day when he’d picked Zinnia up from the hospital after her shift. He remembered catching sight of her in her office, cheeks puffed out as she nibbled on a piece of cake—she’d looked just like a little hamster, completely absorbed in her treat.

The moment she swallowed, her eyes curved into happy crescents, pure delight softening her whole face.

The memory made the corners of his mouth turn up before he realized it.

Without thinking, his hand reached out and accepted the slice of cake Noelle offered him.

Noelle’s eyes crinkled as she flashed him a grin. “That’s more like it, Landon. Now that Zinnia’s not mad at you anymore, I don’t have to feel guilty.”

Landon didn’t reply. Instead, his mind slipped back to that scene at the hotel, recalling Zinnia’s stunned expression after he’d snapped at her. Even though she hadn’t seemed angry, he knew he’d left her alone for half a month. It was only natural if she felt a little hurt.

Well, this time he’d admit it was his fault. He’d just have to make it up to her when he got home.

Zinnia was easy to cheer up. As long as he apologized, she always softened, letting her anger melt away.

With that thought, he found himself walking out of the club with uncharacteristic haste, eager to get home.

...

Royal Bay Villa Estates.

Zinnia jolted awake from a nightmare, her heart pounding. The suffocating fear from being trapped beneath the snow still clung to her, leaving her breathless.

She gasped for air, trying to steady herself. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her fingertip, yanking her back to reality. She looked down to see her fingernail broken, where she’d unconsciously dug it into the sofa.

A bead of blood welled at the break. Frowning, she got up and walked over to the drawer where they kept the first-aid kit. She found some antiseptic swabs and began carefully cleaning the wound—just as she heard the front door open.

Once she’d finished with the antiseptic, she put the first-aid kit away. As she straightened up, Landon held out the small cake, the one he’d brought with him.

She glanced at him, a silent question in her eyes.

Caught by her gaze, Landon looked a little uncomfortable. Then, after an awkward pause, he spoke, his tone a bit stiff. “I noticed you like cake, so I picked one up for you on my way home.”

Zinnia blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting him to have noticed something like that.

In the past, she would have lit up, her eyes shining as she eagerly took the cake and tasted it right away. But now, she just offered a polite smile, accepted the box, and set it on the table.

“Thank you.”

Then she let her hand drop, leaving the cake untouched.