Chapter 140
140:
“I’ll go find a deck.” Without missing a beat, Davina hopped up.
Ralphy stood up as well. “I’ll handle the drinks.”
The two left the private room. Davina had to leave the restaurant to find a pack of cards.
Ralphy placed the drink order and then hesitated before trailing after her, determined to keep her company on the errand.
Back in the private room, only three remained.
While savoring potato wedges, Christina picked up on a subtle change in the air—a heaviness settling between Dylan and Elliott. Whether it was her imagination or not, a strange tension seemed to be brewing between the two men. But when she looked up, but neither man appeared overtly hostile. If anything, they wore their usual unreadable expressions.
Without a word, Dylan slid a plate of potato wedges toward her. At that exact moment, Elliott did the same, both of them silently vying for her attention.
Elliott nudged the plate closer. “Best to eat while they’re still warm. Cold food just doesn’t hit the same,” he suggested.
Staring at the two generous helpings in front of her, Christina hesitated for a split second, caught off guard by their eagerness. “Thank you,” she said as she reached out and gathered both plates in front of her at the same time.
Dylan’s icy stare met Elliott’s equally cold gaze. For a moment, the tension between them crackled with a sharp, dangerous energy. Without a word, the air seemed to turn heavier, the tension practically humming between them.
“The garlic bread’s worth a try too,” Elliott added, reaching for the serving tongs.
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Before his words even settled, both Elliott and Dylan moved at once, each about to drop a piece of garlic bread onto her plate.
Loaded down with potato wedges in both hands, Christina found herself unable to even hold out her plate for the food they were offering.
She barely managed to part her lips before Dylan swooped in, snatched her plate, and made room for the garlic bread he offered with practiced precision.
A beat too late, Elliott hovered awkwardly, unsure where to set his offering.
“I appreciate it, but there’s no need to fuss over me,” Christina assured them. “I can help myself. You two should dig in as well.”
Uncertain if some hidden rivalry was playing out, she turned her attention to Elliott and flashed him a warm smile. “You really should have more of the garlic bread. It’s honestly delicious.”
Her words seemed to put a spring in Elliott’s step. He grinned and nodded. “Alright, I’ll have a couple more.”
While Elliott nibbled on the garlic bread, he sent Dylan a sly, triumphant look, clearly savoring his small victory. Seeing this, Dylan’s eyes narrowed, his mood souring.
Christina glanced Dylan’s way. “You seem to like the ravioli. Here, have some more.”
Dylan accepted the offer and said, “Thank you,” taking the food as his gaze flickered pointedly toward Elliott, who now looked far less chipper.
With the tables turned, a quiet satisfaction crept into Dylan’s expression, while Elliott was left stewing in frustration.
Beyond the restaurant’s glow, Davina stepped out of the convenience store, a fresh deck of cards in hand, only to find her path blocked by three middle-aged men with matching beer bellies.
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