Chapter 560

“I’ve been here for a little while,” Granger replied, his gaze shifting to Charlene and the large telescope beside her. “Stargazing?”
Charlene nodded. “Yes.”
Feigning a sudden interest, Granger asked, “What are you looking at? Mind if I take a look?”
Charlene glanced at Gaylord. “It’s not my equipment. It belongs to
Gaylord, his composure restored, cut in smoothly, “If you’re interested, Mr. Harden, be my guest.”
“Thanks,” Granger said with a smile. He had some experience with telescopes, but not much. Peering into the eyepiece, he asked, “What’s that red patch of light?”
“It’s a hydrogen cloud,” Charlene explained.
“Which galaxy is it from?”
Granger’s questions were basic, but Charlene answered them patiently. Gaylord, however, watched them with a cool, distant expression.
York knew about the collaboration between Granger’s company and PrimeStar Technologies, so he didn’t think much of Granger coming over to chat. He figured it was just professional courtesy. This content belongs to.net
But Gaylord knew better. Before today, Charlene had been oblivious to the fact
that both he and Granger were interested in her. Since Granger hadn’t made his move, Gaylord preferred to keep it that way and deliberately masked his animosity.
Even so, York sensed the tension. The way Gaylord looked at Granger with that same cold
hostility he sometimes directed net
him-was unmistakable. For a
moment, York wondered if he was misreading the situation. Then he saw the look in Granger’s eyes as he watched Charlene, and he knew he wasn’t.
s
A flicker of surprise crossed his face. He’d never imagined Granger was also in the running for Charlene’s affection. But then, a small smile touched his lips. A woman as exceptional as Charlene was bound to attract more than a few admirers.
Granger would have loved to stay longer, but after just a few questions, his phone rang with a work-related call. At the same time, Moran pinged him in their group chat, asking what was taking him so long.
He put his phone away. “I have to take this,” he said to the group. “Let’s catch up later if there’s time.”
Charlene and Stewart nodded. “Of course.”
As Granger walked away, the others returned to their stargazing. A little while later, Connie Snyder heard a rumor about a spot nearby teeming with fireflies and eagerly dragged Charlene along to see them. York and Gaylord, not entirely
comfortable with them going to a more secluded area alone, followed close behind. s
They weren’t the only ones interested. Vesta heard the whispers about the fireflies and decided to go as well, but she went by herself.
Carrying a small lantern, she approached the clearing and stopped short. In the soft glow, she saw Gaylord and York standing before Charlene, gently placing captured fireflies into her cupped hands.
Vesta had done her homework on
York and his friends, including Dalton Ramirez. She knew they weren’t close with Thorne or Stewart’s circle. York rarely had tip off so for him to be at a gathering like this, and with this particular group, there had to be a reason. s
Now, the reason was painfully obvious. Any doubt she might have had about York’s feelings for Charlene vanished. He was completely smitten with her.