Lullaby 330

“Alright, alright!”

Elissa’s words came out muffled, thanks to the way Rowan was gently squeezing her cheeks. There was something undeniably endearing about it.

Rowan’s gaze lingered on her face, and for a split second, he seemed almost lost in thought. He used to do this often–teasing her like this. Sometimes she’d go along with it, other times, like now, she’d squirm away, impatient.

Elissa couldn’t help but notice the look in his eyes had softened, just for a moment. It reminded her of the Rowan from before–the one who indulged her every whim.

Something unspoken hung in the air between them, a subtle, magnetic tension. When Rowan leaned in, eyes burning with intent, Elissa instinctively looked away, her cheeks flushed.

But just as their lips brushed, the doorbell rang–sharp and insistent.

Both of them froze for a heartbeat. Elissa quickly pulled back, urging him, “Someone’s here! Go get the door!”

Rowan let out a disgruntled sigh. Who the hell had such impeccable timing?

Reluctantly, he let her go and headed for the door. The moment he opened it, his brows knit together.

“What are you doing here now?”

After all these years, Rex could read Rowan’s annoyance from a mile away. And the reason was obvious–Elissa was here.

Rex had learned this lesson ages ago: whenever Elissa was at Rowan’s place, Rowan was never thrilled to entertain guests. If anyone, like Frank, was foolish enough to get too friendly with Elissa, it was a recipe for disaster.

That’s exactly why Rex never hung out with Elissa one–on–one. Rowan was his best friend, after all.

He might not understand it, but he respected it.

Thinking of Elissa inside, Rex grinned. “Elissa’s here, right? Let me in, I need to talk to her.”

Rowan didn’t budge. “What for?”

“Relax, I’m not Frank.” Rex rolled his eyes, patting Rowan’s increasingly solid chest. “No need to worry,

man. Elissa? Elissa?”

Elissa could hear them talking in the hallway. For a moment, she considered pretending she hadn’t. But with Rex calling her name so loudly, she didn’t have much of a choice. She touched her still–warm ears and walked over, trying to act casual. “What’s up?”

Rex glanced at Rowan, then flashed Elissa his most charming smile. “Has Tanya Foster come back yet?”

He’d tried to catch Tanya several times lately, always missing her.

Elissa pressed her lips together. “She’s back.”

15:43

Chapter 330 Thɪs chapter is updated by find·novel·net

Tanya had texted before coming home, suggesting they have a barbecue together tonight.

Rex’s grin widened, unusually friendly. “Could you call her for me?”

“I saw her post online about craving a barbecue, so I already ordered everything. The delivery guy should be here soon.”

Rowan shot Rex a dry smile. “And where’s it being delivered to?”

Rex cleared his throat. “Here. To your place.”

Rowan nearly laughed in exasperation. “What, you can’t chase your girlfriend anywhere else?” Not only was Rex interrupting, but now he was hijacking his house for his own romantic agenda. Rowan glared as Elissa slipped across the hall, feeling the sting of lost opportunity–he hadn’t even gotten

that kiss.

Rex nudged Rowan’s chest. “Hey, you’ve been stuck at the same stage for ages. Maybe if you helped me out, some good karma might come your way. Who knows, it could jumpstart your own love life.”

Rowan snorted. “Sure, helping you woo your girlfriend is some grand act of charity?”

“Why not?”

Rowan shot him a look. “Who’s to say it isn’t just asking for trouble?”

He added, “Tanya’s not wrong about one thing–get your own house in order before you worry about chasing her.”