Chapter 32
“I need to wake up at ten,” Allison said, lounging on the couch and glancing up at him with a relaxed smile.
She had a little milk mustache going on, and it was oddly charming.
Joshua’s gaze darkened just a bit, and he swallowed hard, awkwardly looking away. “Get some sleep early, goodnight,” he mumbled.
Without waiting for a response, he headed straight for the stairs.
Allison, blissfully unaware of his internal struggle, went back to leisurely sipping her milk.
The following morning, Joshua knocked on Allison’s door just before her alarm could buzz.
“Allie, rise and shine.”
Allison blinked her eyes open, retrieved her phone from under her pillow, and checked the time. 9:59.
Right on the dot.
After freshening up, she found breakfast already waiting on the table–a simple bowl of oatmeal.
She sat down, unwrapped a packet of utensils, and took a sip. Her eyes lit up. “This tastes exactly like the oatmeal from that diner near our office!”
Joshua, sitting across from her, didn’t even glance up. He just murmured a casual “Hmm.”
Allison was a bit puzzled–what was that “hmm” supposed to mean?
She took another sip, confirming the taste was spot–on with the diner she loved.
Curious, she eyed Joshua suspiciously. “Did you pick this up from the diner behind our office?”
“Yeah,” he replied, his face impassive.
Allison was surprised. “How’d you even know about that place?”
It was quite a trek from the hotel, at least a ten–mile drive. Why would Joshua go out of his way for breakfast?
Realizing he couldn’t keep it under wraps, Joshua admitted, “I’ve been to Oak Lake to see you.”
Allison was floored.
Joshua had come to Oak Lake just to see her.
How had she missed that?
“Cough, cough-” Her surprise got the better of her, and she choked a little.
Joshua promptly handed her a napkin. “Easy there.”
“When did you come? How did I not know?”
“The first year you left, the year after, and this year too,” Joshua said, calm and collected.
Allison’s heart skipped a beat, the realization hitting her like a wave. Joshua had been visiting Havenbrook, year after year, without her knowing.
No wonder the room had signs of someone regularly staying there–he had been coming often.
There was something unspoken hanging between them, and her heart raced. She didn’t want to delve into it just yet, and quickly shifted the topic. “Thanks, Joshua. This oatmeal is really delicious.”
Joshua noticed her ears turning a shade of red and couldn’t help but smile.
He let it slide, keeping it casual. “By the way, I know a top–notch restorer who was even called to work on
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artifacts at a major museum. She might be able to help”
“Really?” Allison’s head popped up, eyes sparkling with surprise and hope.
Joshua nodded. “Yeah, when we’re back in Oak Lake, I’ll introduce you”
“Sounds great.”
Joshua’s words were like a soothing balm, easing the turmoil from the night before.
She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she trusted him. If he vouched for the restorer’s talent, then her precious porcelain puppy was in good hands.
That morning, Allison’s mood was a whirlwind of highs and lows, with Joshua providing surprise after surprise. She found herself wondering–what other secrets did he hold?
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