Chapter 73
Chapter 73:
At last, she exhaled and gave a small nod. “Fine. Thank you for giving me a ride p>
Relief softened his expression. He pulled out his laptop, his focus shifting to the screen as his long fingers moved across the keys.
The car soon settled into silence, broken only by the steady rhythm of his typing.
Seated at his side, Brinley found herself stealing sideways glances she couldn’t quite resist.
Sunlight spilled through the window, painting his profile in warm gold and sharpening the edges of his already striking features.
𝗥𝗼𝗆а𝗻𝗰𝖾 𝗻𝗈v𝗲𝗅ѕ оո
She couldn’t deny it—Austin looked exactly like the kind of man she had always been drawn to, every detail matching her secret preferences.
As Brinley’s thoughts drifted, Austin turned his head abruptly, catching her with a direct, steady gaze.
“Enjoying the view?” he asked, a faintly teasing smile curving his lips.
Flustered, she snapped her head toward the window. Her voice came out awkward and defensive. “What? I wasn’t… I was just admiring the scenery. The view on your side happens to be better p>
Beyond the glass, only a blur of busy streets stretched out—nothing remotely scenic.
Austin let out a low chuckle, but he didn’t call out her lie. He simply returned his attention to the laptop resting on his knees.
Leaning against the cool windowpane, Brinley felt warmth creep up her cheeks.
When she dared another sidelong glance, Austin was still immersed in his screen, not sparing her a look. She exhaled quietly in relief.
The car rolled steadily toward the city center, tires humming against the asphalt.
After scrolling aimlessly on her phone, boredom settled in, and her gaze drifted back to Austin without her realizing it.
With a brief pause, she switched her phone to silent, hesitated, then discreetly angled it to capture his sharp profile.
Sunlight struck his brow just right in the photo, sharpening his focus and making him impossible to ignore.
Brinley lingered on the image, a subtle smile tugging at her lips.
Even a few stolen glimpses of his face were enough to lift her mood.
As if sensing her, Austin turned, his gaze locking with hers.
Flustered, she ducked her head and pretended to scroll. “Huh? What is it p>
He watched her nervous act, amusement sparking in his eyes, but said nothing. He returned to his papers with a faint curve to his mouth.
Just as her shoulders loosened in relief, the car lurched violently to the side.
The driver must have swerved hard to avoid something. Brinley’s phone slipped from her hands with a sharp thud as her body pitched forward.
Instead of striking the seat in front of her, she crashed into the solid warmth of a broad chest.
“Ouch…” Her nose smacked into Austin’s shoulder, the sting sharp enough to bring tears to her eyes.
Austin reacted instantly, his arms circling her in a firm hold before she could tumble further.
“Did you get hurt?” His deep voice carried a note of alarm above her head.
Blinking back the sting, Brinley realized she was sprawled across his lap, her fingers clenched in the fabric of his shirt as if it were the only thing keeping her steady.