Chapter 329

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Jonathan couldn’t help but reflect on why he was always so suspicious . Michael was just outgoing , Snapping out of his thoughts , Jonathan turned to Teresa and said , “ Next time , show off a bit . I want to try your cooking . ”
Teresa laughed , “ Oh , I wouldn’t dare . My skills can’t compare to yours , Chef Lynn .”
“ That’s right , I can vouch for that , ” Michael chimed in . “ Mr. Lime’s food is the best . Mr. Lime , when are you going to cook for us again ? ”
Jonathan’s gaze landed on Teresa . “ Ask this lovely lady . It’s up to her when I get to cook again . ”
“ I still need to grab some soy sauce and olive oil ,” Teresa said , already walking ahead on her own .
Before long , they’d piled the cart high with groceries . Most of them were picked out by Michael .
Usually , when he went shopping with Teresa , Michael hardly ever took so much . Partly because he didn’t want Teresa to spend too much , and partly because he knew she couldn’t carry it all by herself .
But today , with Jonathan there , Michael went all out , like he’d just scored a buffet pass . He wanted this , and that , and everything in between .
“ Mr. Lime rules ! ” Michael cheered , both arms raised high , loaded with goodies .
As Teresa unloaded the cart at the checkout , the cashier scanned each item and smiled . “ You three look like such a happy family .”
Teresa’s hand froze mid – motion as she picked up the items , her head lowered to hide the swirl of emotions on her face – something Jonathan didn’t
catch .
Jonathan pulled out his phone to pay , but the cashier smiled , “ Hey handsome , want to sign up for a membership card ? You’ll earn points for future purchases . You can redeem them for gifts , and some items are even discounted for members . ”
Jonathan didn’t want to give out his personal number , so he glanced at Teresa . “ Just use my wife’s number . ”
Teresa understood why Jonathan didn’t want to share his number , so she gave hers . “ I’ll pay for this . ”
“ No need , ” Jonathan said , turning to the cashier . “ How much is it ? ”
“ It’s 2267 dollars . Would you like a shopping bag ? They’re fifty cents each , ” the cashier replied .
Jonathan nodded . “ I’ll pay . ”
But Teresa had already pulled up her payment code , beating him to it . “ Let me pay . ”
The sound of a toy hammer echoed as Michael banged away with his new toy , then declared with a final whack , “ I’ve decided . Mr. Lime will pay . He and I are best buddies . ”
Teresa was speechless .
The cashier couldn’t help but laugh . “ You two really split things down to the last detail . Isn’t it all the same who pays in a family ? ”
As more people started lining up behind them , Teresa zoned out for just a few seconds , and Jonathan had already paid .
“ All you need to do is hold Mike’s hand , ” Jonathan said , grabbing both big shopping bags and the two smaller ones himself .
“ Let me take a couple of the smaller ones , ” Teresa said , worried he might get tired carrying everything .
Jonathan shook his head . “ No need . ” He loaded everything into his car first . “ I’ll drop these off at your place . Is Mike staying with you ? ”
“ Yeah , my friend hasn’t come back from Jarisburg yet , so he’s with me for now , ” Teresa replied .
09:37 Sat 24 May
328
Jonathan raised an eyebrow . “ Does she not have any other friends besides you ? ” He couldn’t help but wonder why Teresa always ended up looking sân
Michael
Teresa stared at his face , hesitated as if she wanted to say something , then lowered her head and stayed quiet . She turned around , ready in call Micha
over to the cat .
Michael , being quite proactive , climbed right into Jonathan’s car . “ I want to ride in Mr. Lime’s carl ”
Teresa was speechless .
Once Michael was in the car , he refused to get out . Jonathan told Teresa not to argue with him and started the engine . Since Teresa had driven herself , she ended up driving home alone .
By the time they got back , Michael was already fast asleep in the car . Teresa carried him inside .
Jonathan opened the trunk and started unloading the bags . First came the fruit he’d bought for Teresa , and then all kinds of meat .
After putting Michael in his room , Teresa came back out to find the living room piled high with bags of all sizes , like it was New Year’s .
“ I’ll wash the ribs and get them stewing for you . That way , when you wake up tomorrow , you just need to turn on the stove and heat it up . It’ll be ready to
eat . ”
Jonathan was a pro at making soup . Teresa knew that . As much as she craved his cooking , she held back . “ No need , I can do it myself . Isn’t it just adding some water ? I can handle that . ”
Jonathan chuckled . “ Just add water , huh ? And here I thought you were some kind of chef . So , making rib soup is just about dumping in water ? ”
“ Isn’t it ? ” she replied , a little sheepish . She’d never made rib soup before . Usually she just cooked porridge or simple things like stir – fried tomatoes .
“ If cooking were that easy , even a three – year – old could do it . ” Jonathan had already walked into the kitchen , shrugged off his jacket , and opened the fridge . Inside were just some tomatoes , eggs , and potatoes – basic stuff .
Now Jonathan got what Teresa meant by “ knowing how to cook . ” Even making a simple sautéed vegetable was a stretch for her . “ What’s this ? ” he asked , pulling out a small pack of baby pasta from the fridge .
Teresa’s eyes flickered and she licked her lips . “ Michael likes pasta , so I learned how to make it for him . ”
Jonathan put the pasta back . “ So you learned to cook for Mike ? ”
Teresa didn’t argue , just braced herself and said , “ I’m fine with takeout or eating out , but he’s just a kid . I can’t let him eat restaurant food every day . ”
Jonathan went quiet , closed the fridge , and said softly , “ If we ever have a kid , I think you’d make a great mom . ” With that , he turned around and started stewing the ribs .
Teresa’s shoulders gave a little tremble at Jonathan’s words . By the time she realized it , the hair clip holding her hair had slipped and fallen to the floor . She bent down to pick it up ,
But Jonathan reached out and grabbed it before she could .
“ Thanks ,” Teresa said , taking the clip back from his hand .
Jonathan pressed his lips together , his eyes fixed on her hair . His throat tightened . “ Let me do it . ” He opened the clip , gently gathered her hair , and pinned it back . In that moment , it was as if she was quietly nestled in his arms .
He thought back to the last couple of nights . It seemed like sweet words only slipped out when they were both completely lost in each othe refusing to let the moment pass , Jonathan wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her .
Sat , 24 May
329