Chapter 159
Chapter 159:
Brinley swallowed the protest poised on her tongue.
Caught in his gaze as if something unseen held her there, she finally gave a small nod. “Fine p>
With deliberate slowness, Austin let her hand slip free, his eyes glinting with sly triumph. “Go on. Take good care of yourself p>
Brinley opened the door, stepped out, slipped on her hard hat, and headed toward the construction site.
After a few steps, instinct made her glance back. Austin’s car was still idling where she’d left it, the window rolled down, his eyes fixed on her with a soft, lingering smile.
Their gazes locked, and her chest gave a sharp, unsteady thump. Flustered, she turned away and quickened her pace.
𝘚to𝗋і𝗲𝘀 y𝘰𝘂 𝘸o𝗇’𝘵 p𝘶t d𝗈w𝗻 𝗼ո 𝗀а𝘭ո𝘰𝗏𝖾𝘭s.с𝗼𝗆
The warmth of his stare seemed to cling to her skin—steady, unyielding—until she stepped onto the site and it finally vanished.
Inside the temporary boardroom, Brinley leaned against the wall and pressed her palms to her flushed cheeks.
“Get a grip, Brinley. Now’s not the time to be lovestruck,” she told herself firmly.
The project was teetering at a critical point, and with the exhibition race looming, the weight of unfinished work pressed in on her from every direction.
By six o’clock, Austin’s car was waiting at the construction site entrance, its headlights glowing faintly through the drizzle.
Brinley had planned to work overtime, but under his quiet insistence, she had no choice but to leave.
Rain slanted against the windows, drops rattling softly on the glass. Inside the car, Austin sat with a document in hand, his profile softened by the dim interior light.
When Brinley climbed in, damp hair clung to her temples, carrying a chill from the rain.
Without hesitation, Austin handed her a folded towel. “Here. Dry yourself p>
She accepted it, blotting her hair as she glanced sideways at him. “So, where are we having dinner p>
Starting the engine, Austin eased onto the road. “There’s a new restaurant on the north side. After that, we’ll head over to the racetrack p>
Brinley hesitated, tilting her head as she studied him. “Why p>
Austin’s voice carried quiet certainty. “Your car was wrecked, remember? I had a new one brought in for you p>
Her fingers stilled mid-motion. She sat frozen, staring at him in stunned silence.
The moment stretched until Austin chuckled softly and tapped her forehead with a light flick of his fingers.
The small gesture broke her daze. She finally nodded, murmuring, “Alright p>
The restaurant he chose was tucked into a quiet corner of the city—refined and discreet, its atmosphere hushed and elegant.
The food was exquisite, every dish distinct and bursting with flavor. Brinley ate until she was satisfied, her usual guarded expression softening as her eyes lingered on Austin, warmth slipping into her gaze.