Chapter 111
When Joshua snapped back to the present, the small table was already loaded with food. There were green beans, beef, and a steaming bowl of soup.
“Wow, you’ve really gone all out,” Joshua said with a warm smile. “What’s in the soup?”
“Chicken and potato,” Allison replied. She carefully lifted the bowl, scooped up some soup, blew on it to cool it, and held the spoon to Joshua’s lips. “Give it a taste.”
Joshua smiled and lowered his eyes, but his expression suddenly changed. “What happened to your hand?”
A blister marked Allison’s right index finger. She tried to hide it, but it was too late. “I got a bit careless in the kitchen and burned myself. It’s nothing, just a little blister.”
Joshua’s eyes filled with concern. “Does it hurt?”
Allison shook her head. “Not at all.”
Joshua sipped the soup and then tenderly took Allison’s wrist, gently blowing on her injured finger. After a moment, he looked up at her, his eyes filled with empathy. “You’re fibbing. Burns always hurt.”
Allison’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Honestly, it doesn’t hurt. Compared to your injuries, this is nothing.”
Joshua reached out and gently pinched her cheek. “I just feel terrible.”
Allison bit her lip softly, her eyelashes fluttering as she got closer, “Joshua…”
Her voice was sweet and soft, leaving Joshua utterly defenseless. He pulled her closer, kissing her smooth forehead, her rosy cheeks, and finally her lips.
Allison’s ears burned, her heart feeling as sweet as if drenched in honey. A moment later, she pressed her hands against Joshua’s chest, putting some distance between them. “You need to eat before it gets cold,” she suggested.
Joshua drawled with a playful glint in his eyes, “Alright, but after lunch, can we pick up where we left off?”
Allison huffed lightly, lowering her eyes to avoid indulging his cheekiness. Joshua took a bite of the green beans.
Allison watched him anxiously. “How is it? Does it taste okay?”
Joshua’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he teased, “Delicious. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Are you trying to win my heart starting with my stomach, Allie?”
Allison puffed her cheeks, pretending to glare at him. “So if I can’t win your stomach, I can’t win your heart?”
Joshua chuckled, pinching her cheek again. “How could that be? You just have to stand there, and you’ve already won.”
Allison “hmphed” with a burst of joy lighting up her eyes. Joshua finished every last bit of the meal Allison made, not leaving even a drop of soup.
After the meal, he leaned back against the headboard to relax. Allison tidied up the dishes, ready to wash
them.
“You can let the nurses or housekeeper handle those,” Joshua suggested.
Allison shook her head. “It’s no trouble.”
Joshua’s voice softened with a hint of tenderness. “When did you learn to cook?”
Allie was always treated like a princess and never had to lift a finger in the kitchen. Cooking and cleaning weren’t her usual tasks.
14.14
“Just these past few days,” Allison replied.
Joshua wanted to ask more, but the hospital room door swung open, and a group of people entered. Leading the way was Rose, carrying a lunchbox. “Joshua, I brought you some food.”
Behind her were Brian, Sabrina, and a nurse. Rose’s gaze landed on Allison, and she smiled. “Hey Allie, you’re here too. Have you eaten? Want to join us? I brought plenty, freshly made by the housekeeper.”
Allison smiled and shook her head. “No, thank you, Mrs. Fisher. I’ve already eaten.”
Joshua quickly added, “I’m all set too.”
Rose paused, noticing the thermos in Allison’s hand. “Allie, did you bring Joshua a meal?”
“Yeah.”
