<b>Chapter 406 </b>
Hannah stared after them in disbelief. ‘After everything Liam and I had been through, he’s really going to dump me just because Aria <b>has </b>saved him first? <b>Why</b><b>? </b>Why <b>should </b>Aria get everything?”
Owen and Aria walked side by side toward the car, neither saying a word.
When they reached the parking spot, Owen hurried ahead and opened the passenger door for her.
“Thanks<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Once they were both inside and buckled up, Owen tried to sound casual. “So, that guy Diego–he and Liam are pretty close, huh<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Aria nced at him, surprised by the question. But she answered honestly, “I think so. They worked on the pandemic together in Erennd<b>, </b>went through a lot. They’re good friends.”
“Colleagues, too. I guess that makes them even closer.”
“Mhm.” Aria’s voice was neutral, giving nothing away. “You seem pretty interested in Diego?”
He’d never asked this much about someone before.
She arched an eyebrow, suddenly suspicious. ‘Was he…jealous? Just because Diego asked for her number?
She turned, staring at him in silence.
Owen kept his eyes fixed on the road, started the car, and said lightly, “It’s just I haven’t seen a foreigner in a long time. Got curious, that’s all.”
Aria shifted in her seat, hiding a smile. “Take the next left.”
He didn’t react fast enough; the car rolled right past the turn.
A moment of awkward silence.
Owen gripped the steering wheel tighter<b>, </b>cleared his throat, and muttered, “Didn’t you want to get something for Lily to eat? There’s a new ce along this road, heard it’s pretty good.”
She could see right through him, but yed along, “Oh?”
Actually, the street they’d just passed had more restaurants.
He’d clearly nned this detour. Aaron had mentioned this new shop, said it was all the rage with girls.
Soon, they pulled up outside. A long line had already formed. Owen said, “I’ll go get it. Wait in the car.”
Aria nced at the scorching sun<b>, </b>shrugged, “Alright”
Owen got out and headed for the end <b>of </b>the line, umbre
It was hot–the kind of heat that pressed down on him.
<b><i>in </i></b>
hand.
Under his umbre, Owen looked impossibly fall, quiet, and a little lonely.
Behind him, a group of girls started whispering, “<b>Oh </b>my god, check
“He’s <b>got </b>such a nice face<b>, </b>too!”
that tall guy–he’s super handsome!”
<b>“</b>I <b>can’t </b>see! <b>Give </b><b>me </b>your <b>sses</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
One <b>of </b>them dared, <b>“</b>Hey, you’re <b>so </b>pretty, why not ask for his number?”
Her friend rolled her eyes, “Are you crazy? Guys who line up in the sun for sweets are definitely getting it for their girlfriend or a <b>girl </b><b>they </b>like. Guys like <b>that </b>aren’t single.”
“True. His girlfriend’s gotta be SO
<b>“</b>Iknow, right? So jealous.”
lucky!”
All this chatter drifted to Owen, who stood silent, expressionless, until he noticed a shadow fall across him.
He looked <b>up </b>to see Aria, her smile bright, eyes full of warmth.
“I saw an umbre in the car, figured I’d bring it over,” she said gently.
Owen blinked<b>, </b>momentarily stunned, barely registering the voices around him.
<b>“</b>Owen?” Aria’s voice was a notch louder.
He snapped back to himself, quickly took the umbre, and adjusted it to shade her from the sun.
“<b>I </b>can wait in line. You should head back to the car.”
“I’ll wait here with you,” she replied.
He frowned slightly. “You’ll get sweaty. It’s not good for your shoulder. I’ll handle this.”
She relented, “Alright.”
As Aria walked away, every eye <i>on </i>the street followed her.
After the car door closed, the crowd around Owen erupted again.
“Wow, did you see that girl? She’s gorgeous.”
“Just now, I was jealous of his girlfriend getting sweets. Now I’m jealous of the guy–imagine being with someone that beautiful.”
“I wanna date a girl like that! Should’ve asked God for better genes in the womb!”
Owen nearly choked, coughing quietly as he lowered the umbre<b>, </b>trying to hide his blushing face.
<b>AD</b>