Chapter 213.

She reached the other side of the island.

He stopped.

They stared at each other across the marble surface. Kylie was breathing slightly harder from laughing.

Christian shook his head. "You’re gorgeous."

"You’ve said that already."

"You keep proving it."

She smiled. "You’re obsessed with me."

Christian’s smile faded into something softer. "Maybe."

Kylie blinked. The teasing suddenly became quieter.

She looked away first. "Okay."

Christian leaned against the island. "Okay."

She awkwardly picked up a grape.

"Let’s do another one."

"Sure." She nodded immediately.

"Sweet or salty?"

"Sweet."

Christain shook his head.

"Your turn."

"Sweet."

She frowned. "You?"

"Yes."

"You like sweet things?"

"I like certain sweet things." His gaze travelled around her.

She stared at him. Then she realized what he meant. Her cheeks warmed. "That was terrible."

Christian laughed. "You asked."

"I asked about food."

"You should’ve been more specific."

She threw a grape at him.

He caught it. This time, he didn’t eat it. He held it between his fingers.

Then he looked at her.

"Open."

Kylie blinked.

"Open."

She laughed. "No."

He tossed the grape gently toward her.

Kylie opened her mouth instinctively.

The grape dropped perfectly between her lips.

Christian froze.

Kylie chewed like she does it all the time.

His eyes widened.

She swallowed.

"Did you just—"

She nodded. "I caught it."

He stared at her. "You’re very talented."

She lifted her chin proudly. "Thank you."

Christian reached for another grape.

Kylie immediately held up a hand. "No."

"Why?"

"That was a one-time achievement."

"Let’s test it."

"No."

"Come on." He urged playfully.

"Christian."

He held up the grape.

She shook her head. "No."

He threw it.

She caught it again. This time, her eyes widened.

Christian laughed.

Kylie covered her mouth. "I did it again."

"I know."

"I’m amazing."

"Obviously."

She pointed at him. "You better remember this moment."

"I will."

He picked up another grape.

"Don’t."

He threw it with a smile.

She caught it with her mouth, and raised both hands triumphantly. "Yes!"

Christian applauded.

She walked toward him. "You’re jealous." She teased him.

"Of your grape-catching abilities?"

"Yes."

"Deeply."

She smiled. She reached up and wiped something from the corner of his mouth.

Christian went still.

Kylie glanced at her finger. "Blueberry."

He looked at her. "You could’ve told me."

"I wanted to see how long you’d walk around with it."

He smiled. "You’re mean."

"You like it."

His eyes stayed on hers. "Maybe I do."

Kylie’s hand was still near his face. She slowly lowered her hand. She stepped back.

"Next question."

He smiled. He picked up the plate.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"We need to finish this."

She looked at the plate.

"We’re eating all that?"

"Yes."

"There’s enough fruit here for six people."

"You eat fruit."

"I do."

"You also complain."

"I can do both."

He carried the plate toward the dining area.

Kylie followed. She took a seat at one end of the small dining table.

Christian sat opposite her.

For a moment, they simply ate.

Kylie picked up a strawberry.

Christian took a grape.

She pointed at him. "Your turn."

He thought again. "Books or movies?"

"Books."

He nodded. "Why?"

"Because books let me live inside other people’s lives."

Christian looked at her.

She smiled. "What?"

"I like listening to you."

Her smile softened. "Someone has to keep you humble."

He smiled. "Your turn."

She thought. "Love or money?"

Christian didn’t answer immediately.

Kylie watched him. "Well?"

"Love."

Her expression softened. "Really?"

"Yes."

"You have money." She smiled, and nodded softly. "So you know what you’re talking about."

"Money makes life easier." Christain said thoughtfully.

"But?"

"It doesn’t make you happy."

Kylie lowered her eyes.

Christian continued eating.

She was quiet for a moment. After a while, she took in a soft breath, and parted her lips. "Love."

He looked up. "You choose love too?"

She nodded.

"Why?"

She shrugged.

"I think I’d rather have someone who makes me feel safe than someone who buys me everything."

Christian’s gaze stayed on her.

She looked around the apartment. Then back at him. "Don’t take that the wrong way."

"I’m not."

"You know what I mean."

"I do."

She smiled faintly.

He reached across the table and took a grape. "Family or friends?"

Kylie smiled. "Friends."

Christian nodded. "Friends."

She pointed at him. "Why?"

"Because family is complicated."

Her expression changed slightly.

He noticed, and didn’t push.

She smiled. "Cat or dog?"

"Dog." He responded.

"Cat." She smiled.

"Of course."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"You like things that ignore you."

She gasped. "That’s rude."

"It’s accurate."

She pointed at him.

"You know what? Dog people are clingy."

"I can be clingy." He smiled.

Kylie looked down at her plate. She tried to hide her smile.

"Your turn."

"Concert or movie night?"

"Concert." Kylie rolled her eyes dreamily. "Taylor Swift concert."

Christian eyes sparkled. "Taylor Swift concert." He ran a hand through his hair.

She looked up quickly. "You’d go?"

"With you."

Her eyes softened. "Really?"

"Yes."

Her phone suddenly began ringing.

The sound cut through the kitchen.

Kylie dropped her hand.

She looked toward the counter.

Her phone was vibrating beside the bowl of strawberries.

She frowned. "Who is that?" She walked over and picked it up.

The screen lit up.

Emilia.

Kylie’s expression changed immediately.

Christian noticed. "What happened?"

"I don’t know."

She answered. "Emilia?"

For a second, there was nothing. Then came a shaky breath.

Kylie’s smile disappeared. "Em?"

The sound that came through the phone was small. A broken small sob.

Kylie’s entire body went still. "Emilia?"

Christian straightened. He watched Kylie’s face.

Another sob came through the phone.

Emilia’s voice. Shaking, and crying followed.

"Kylie..."

Kylie’s heart dropped. "I’m here, baby." She turned away from Christian. "What happened?"

There was silence on the other end.

Emilia breathed out shakily. "I—" Her voice broke.

Kylie immediately gripped the phone tighter.

"Emilia, talk to me."

"I don’t know what to do."

Kylie moved closer to the counter. "What happened?"

Another sob. Then Emilia whispered: "Adrian lied to me."

Kylie’s eyes widened. "What?"

Christian’s face hardened.

Emilia cried harder. "He lied to me, Kylie."

Kylie swallowed. "Where are you?"

"In my room."

"Are you alone?"

"Yes."

"I’m coming."

"Kylie—"

"I’m coming."

She grabbed her a closeby wallet.

Christian was already reaching for the keys.

Kylie looked at him.

He didn’t need an explanation. He simply nodded.

Kylie placed the phone back to her ear. "I’m coming, Em."

On the other end, Emilia sobbed. "I need you."

"I’m coming, baby. Hold on."