Chapter 90
Chapter 90:
After Brinley finished her porridge, Austin washed the dishes with quiet focus. She lingered in the doorway with her arms folded, watching him.
In his casual home clothes, he looked understated. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing lean, defined forearms. His dishwashing was clumsy at best, yet the simple effort carried a warmth that wrapped around her like a blanket.
This was the same man who could be cold and commanding in public—yet here he was, patiently cooking soup for her, reminding her to eat, insisting she rest early.
A sudden rush of emotion softened her chest.
“Austin,” she murmured, her voice gentle. “Thank you p>
𝘈𝖼𝘵𝗂𝘷𝗲 c𝗈𝘮𝘮𝘂𝗻і𝘵y 𝘰𝘯
Austin glanced at her sideways, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “What exactly are you thanking me for? For making you finish your porridge p>
“Yes.” Brinley nodded sincerely, her voice even softer. “And… thank you for looking out for me p>
The moment the words left her, embarrassment rushed to her cheeks. She spun on her heel and hurried toward the stairs, waving flusteredly. “Anyway, it’s late. I should get some rest p>
Austin’s gaze followed her retreating figure. A quiet laugh escaped him, his eyes warm with unspoken affection.
Weeks drifted by like a breath, and before long, the evening of the racing association’s banquet arrived.
Brinley had planned to go alone, but Austin insisted on accompanying her, swearing he would stay in the background as a quiet plus-one. Her resistance didn’t last long. She finally agreed with a small, resigned nod.
With her arm hooked through Austin’s, Brinley stepped into the gilded hall, and attention snapped toward them at once.
Stares drifted their way—some curious, some appraising, and some brimming with outright hostility.
“Looks like my wife is drawing more eyes than the project tonight,” Austin murmured, his voice low and teasing as his thumb pressed lightly against her wrist in quiet reassurance.
Brinley brushed past his words without a second thought, her eyes drifting over the shifting tide of people.
Grayson Deleon, the man spearheading the project, was nowhere in sight, yet the hall buzzed with businessmen who had clearly come because of him.
She even caught the sharp profiles of several well-known racers.
Back when she competed, a helmet had always hidden her face, and anonymity had suited her. Now she had even less desire to let anyone connect her to that former life.
Sure enough, Colin and Milly had shown up as well.
The moment Brinley’s gaze found Colin, his eyes snapped to hers, surprise flashing across his face like a sudden spark.
Colin strode in wearing a tailored gray suit, two tumblers of amber whiskey balanced in his hands. His gaze lingered on Brinley a fraction longer than courtesy allowed before he approached with unhurried steps.
“Brinley. Mr. Moore. What a surprise, running into you here p>