v
Chapter <b>124 </b>
Vivian forced a tight smile that didn’t <b>even </b>try to reach her eyes. “As long as Miss Riley likes it.”
<b>“</b>What’s with the ‘Miss Riley‘?” Mia chirped with a smirk. “You should be calling her “sister–inw” by now.”
Vivian’s <b>jaw </b>tightened. “Old habits die hard.”
Meanwhile<b>, </b>Charlotte picked up a slice of grilled short rib with her fork and held <b>it </b>out to Sean.
“Here, try this one. <b>Just </b>made it.”
She didn’t even bother grabbing a clean fork. She just used the one she had been eating with. Sean didn’t hesitate. He leaned forward and let her feed him, like it <b>was </b>the most natural thing in the world.
Vivian’s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles tumed white.
Sean smiled, eyes curved gently. “That’s really <b>good</b>.”
Charlotte beamed, clearly pleased.
Vivian’s smile vanishedpletely. Her voice dropped an <b>octave</b><b>, </b>cold and t. <b>“</b>I’ll <b>go </b>eat with the others<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Charlotte acted like she didn’t notice the stormy <b>look </b>on her face. She shed her brightest smile and asked sweetly<b>, </b>“<b>You </b><b>sure</b>, Vivian? I’ve <b>got </b>more. Sean said it’s delicious<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>“</b>I’m good.”
Vivian turned stiffly and walked away<b>, </b>her expression stormy.
Across the table, Charlotte exchanged a knowing smile <b>with </b>Mia. Lena tried to hold <b>back </b>augh and gave Charlotte <b>a </b>subtle thumbs–up.
Sean knew full well that Charlotte had just put on a little performance for Vivian and he had yed along without missing a beat<b>. </b>
<b>Now </b>that Vivian was gone, he wasn’t ready to drop the <b>act </b>just yet.
Still smiling, he leaned in. <b>“</b>Lottie, I want another one of those wings. Feed me?”
Charlotte gave him a look. <b>“</b><b>Get </b><b>it </b>yourself.”
Ian burst outughing. “You serious, Sean? You’re at the point where <b>you </b>need her to feed <b>you </b>now? Who <b>even </b>are <b>you</b>?”
Sean lounged back in his chair, clearly in a good mood. His eyes sparkled with mischief<b>. </b><b>“</b>What’s wrong? Jealous? Ask your girlfriend <b>to </b>feed you. Oh wait–don’t <b>tell </b>me <b>you </b>still don’t have one<b>?</b><b>” </b>
–</bugh. His grin vanished in an instant. He clutched his chest dramatically<b>, </b><b>eyes </b>wide <b>in </b>mock pain.
<b>“</b>Dainn<b>, </b>man. That <b>was </b><b>a </b>low blow. Who <b>roasts </b><b>their </b>own friend like that?”
He turned to Mia for support.“<b>Mia</b><b>, </b>c’mon<b>. </b>Feed me. We <b>can’t </b><b>lose </b>this <b>battle</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
Without missing a beat<b>, </b>Miastabbed a grilled bun with her fork and stuffed it into his mouth. “<b>Eat </b>up. Choke on <b>it if </b>you want.”
<b>“</b>Mmmph-”n tried to protest, but she held firm, muffling his <b>words</b>.
The table roared withughter.
Meanwhile<b>, </b><b>on </b>the other side, Vivian was seething.
Charlotte <b>and </b>Sean had just rubbed their rtionship right in her face and she could practically feel the steaming out of her ears,
The disposable fork in her hand snapped<b>. </b>
She narrowed her <b>eyes</b>.
<b>“</b><b>Fine</b>, Charlotte. <b>Let’s </b>see how long you can keep smiling,” she muttered to herself.
After lunch and a short break, the <b>group </b><b>got </b>ready to start the hike
Ian and Mia led the <b>way </b><b>up </b>the trail<b>, </b>followed closely by Jordan and Lena<b>. </b>Behind them were <b>Zac</b><b>, </b><b>Vivian</b><b>, </b>and her friends.
Charlotte and <b>Sean </b>took up <b>the </b><b>rear</b>.
Sean walked beside her the whole <b>way</b><b>, </b><b>their </b>hands intertwined<b>. </b>
“It’s about a two–hour <b>hike </b>to the top lookout,” he said, ncing <b>at </b>her. <b>“</b>You up for it?”
<b>+25 </b>Bonus
“<b>Of </b><b>course</b>. I <b>love </b>hiking. Being out in nature clears my head, and it’s not too tiring either,” Charlotte said with a rxed smile.
<b>Sean </b><b>knew </b>she had always been into the outdoors. Back in college<b>, </b>she used to go hiking and rock climbing with her club <b>all </b>the time. He just figured that since she had graduated, she hadn’t had much chance to do that anymore and he wasn’t sure if she would still be used to it.