Chapter 6
That little encounter made me late for dinner.]]
When I got there, Damon was folding napkins into flowers.]
Seeing me walk in, he adjusted the shape with his hands and presented a napkin rose.[]
“Ta–da! Pretty?”
I was stunned.]
“It’s gorgeous! So intricate–you’re amazing!“[]
“Sorry I’m late, got held up. Were you waiting long?“||]
Hearing my apology, Damon looked down and set the napkin rose aside, something sad flickering in his eyes.[],
“It’s fine.“[]
Paused for a beat, then couldn’t help adding.
“My driver mentioned you ran into some friends?“]
I froze.]]
I’d chased Harrison so obviously for so long.[]
Damon wouldn’t even need to ask around to know how obsessed I’d been.[]
But we’d never talked about it.[]
Now that it came up… he had to be bothered by it, right?[]
I quickly distanced myself.[]
“That guy’s definitely not my friend.“[]
Damon looked at me, testing the waters.[]
“An old friend then?“]
I thought about it.]
“Not really.“]
“More like a past mistake.“[]
h
Damon’s forced smile immediately relaxed into genuine laughter.]
From Cliory Orubow to Urbicthered Charen The Block Burton to My BeOT BOOSTER
Chapter 6
Seeing him laugh, I seized the moment and pushed the tie toward him.[]
“I was late because picking your gift took forever.“]]
“Think it’ll work?”
Damon froze, eyes lighting up instantly.]
“For me?“]]
I nodded.]]
Like a kid getting a gold star from his teacher, his face lit up with pure joy as he carefully took the gift bag.
Opened the box, fingers tracing the tie, stars dancing in his eyes.[]
“Thank you, Ellie.”
“I love it.“]]
Realizing he might’ve overstepped, he looked up cautiously.[]
“Can I call you that?“]]
I blinked.[]
“Of course!“]
Damon beamed.]
So happy he immediately started loosening his current tie.]
I was confused. “Not going back to the office later?“]]
He shook his head.]]
“No.”
“I want to wear the one you bought me.“[]
Then looked at me with starry eyes.]]
“Would you help me put it on?”
I glanced at his suit style today.]
Struggled for a while before finally speaking up.
“I’d love to help…”
“But a navy suit with a black and white tie… won’t that look kind of weird?“]
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Chapter 6
Like performance art or something.
But Damon didn’t see any problem with it.[]
Actually puffed up with pride.[]
“That’s exactly the point. When people ask why my tie’s so special today…“]]
“I can tell them you gave it to me.“]]
“And helped me put it on.“]
Lost in his fantasy, practically glowing with pride.[]
If Damon had a tail, it’d be wagging like crazy right now.
Kind of adorable.[]
But…
T
Even though we’d been spending so much time together, we still hadn’t defined anything.]]
I hesitated.
“But helping with ties… that’s usually a couple thing.“]
“Won’t people get the wrong idea if you tell them that?“]
Damon’s dreamy expression froze.
He looked down, thinking for a moment.[]
“I told you from the start I wanted to marry you, Ellie.“[]
“I’d love for people to get the ‘wrong‘ idea.“[]
“Because it wouldn’t be wrong.“[]
“It’d be the truth.“[]
He glanced at me, then quickly looked away like he was scared.[]
“What do you think?”
Damon was always so direct–my brain just short–circuited.[]
“1…”
Maybe because I’d spent so long in unrequited love.[]
In my mind, Damon and I had only known each other a short time.]
Chapter 6
And that wasn’t long enough to define an intimate relationship.[]
Even though… in my heart, he’d already become pretty important to me.]]
During my long hesitation, Damon quietly looked down.[]
“It’s okay, Ellie.”
“I’m not trying to pressure you.“[]
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Chapter 7
But after that conversation, they did.[]
