Chapter 81

The door hinges groaned as it swung open, startling Evelyn from her novel.

Her eyes widened when she saw Liam stepping inside with a tray of food.

"You're delivering meals now?" Evelyn rose from her bed, setting her book aside.

"Adrian was busy so I volunteered." Liam's deep voice resonated through the quiet room.

He arranged the dishes meticulously on the table before casually checking the nightstand drawer. Finding nothing of interest, he shut it with a quiet click.

Evelyn's breath caught at the mountain of food before her. The portions could feed three people easily.

Liam's lips curved as he approached. "Consider it Adrian's way of apologizing for yesterday's incident."

She bit her lip, giving him a helpless look. "This is too much. I'll never finish all this alone."

His expression turned serious. "Wasting food is unacceptable."

Evelyn blinked, taken aback by his stern tone.

After an awkward pause, she gestured to the empty chair. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet." Liam deliberately checked his watch.

Evelyn pushed the silverware toward him eagerly. "Please join me. There's more than enough."

After a brief hesitation, Liam accepted the utensils and settled into the chair.

Evelyn started to rise. "Let me find another set of—"

His hand closed around her wrist, warm and firm. "This is fine. We can share."

Her pulse jumped at the contact. "O-okay."

Liam's gaze dropped to her bandaged fingers. "Need assistance?"

She quickly scooped up some scrambled eggs. "I can manage."

As she ate, Liam watched with quiet satisfaction before joining her. He shifted closer to accommodate the shared tray, his movements graceful yet purposeful.

The silence between them grew thick. Evelyn picked at her food self-consciously, hyperaware of his presence.

Noticing her hesitation, Liam wrapped a chicken leg in a napkin and placed it before her.

Evelyn stared at the massive portion with dismay.

"Eat." His command brooked no argument.

She shook her head. "I'm not really—"

"You need protein to heal." His tone softened. "Unless you'd prefer I feed you?"

Evelyn's cheeks burned. "It's just...too big."

Liam pressed the drumstick into her hand. "Eat what you can. I'll finish the rest."

Resigned, she took a small bite. "Isn't this...unhygienic?"

Liam set down his fork with a clink. He leaned in suddenly, closing the distance between them.

Evelyn froze, the chicken halfway to her mouth.

"Mrs. Blackwood," he murmured, eyes glinting with amusement. "We've shared far more intimate things than a meal. Why the hesitation now?"

Her entire body flushed scarlet. The drumstick trembled in her grip as she ducked her head to take another bite.

Liam chuckled, brushing a thumb across her heated cheek. "You're blushing."

"N-no I'm not." The lie came out breathless.

Deciding to spare her further embarrassment, Liam returned to his meal. To her surprise, Evelyn found herself finishing the entire piece of chicken.

When she set down the bone, sticky fingers hovering uncertainly, Liam disappeared into the bathroom. He returned with a damp cloth and gently cleaned each of her fingers.

Evelyn watched, mesmerized by his unexpected tenderness.

A quiet laugh escaped him as she chewed, her cheeks puffing adorably.

"Something on my face?" she asked around a mouthful.

Liam wiped a nonexistent smudge from her chin. "All clean now."

"Thank you," she mumbled.

He handed her a clean fork. "Have some more."

"I'm full."

After a beat, Liam pushed the vegetable dish toward her. "I don't care for greens. Help me with these?"

Evelyn's heart skipped. This felt strangely domestic. "Alright."

She speared some broccoli, the earlier awkwardness fading. Somehow, finishing that chicken in front of him had broken some invisible barrier between them.

The quiet companionship felt...nice. Surprisingly so.