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Chapter 229
Chapter 229
Steam rose from the simmering hot pot, blurring the faces of the five people around the table.
Owen moved with practiced ease, slipping vegetables into the broth, his long fingers flashing past Aria’s ey
eyes.
His knuckles were a little pink, and tiny beads of water glistened on the back of his hand.
She couldn’t help but stare, privately marveling–those really were some beautiful hands,
The urge to reach out and touch them lashed through her mind, and the moment she realized it, Aria quietly looked away, trying not to betray here.
With all the steam, no one noticed her awkwardness.
Caleb had met Owen a few times before.
Out in the world, people called him the undefeated legend of the legal industry, famous for his integrity–born into wealth, yet always championing the underdog, taking on pro bono cases without hesitation.
But there were less flattering stories, too: some said his methods were ruthless, that he put justice before blood, that beneath that gentle exterior he was a hard man to read.
Praise and criticism followed him everywhere, but in the end, the good always outweighed the bad,
Once, Caleb couldn’t figure him out. But ever since Owen had taken Aria’s divorce case, he understood: anyone Aria called a friend could never be a bad
person.
He dropped his gaze, joining Owen in prepping food for the table.
Even though Derek was already twenty–two, there was a clear innocence about him; Caleb and Owen silently agreed to treat him like a kid.
Still, Caleb kept watching how naturally Owen served Aria–how he handed her food, how he remembered her tastes.
The more he noticed, the more he wondered if this wasn’t the first hundred times Owen had done it.
so good.
Derek had said Aria often ate here. Suddenly, the meat in Caleb’s mouth didn’t taste so p
Lost in thought, he idly stirred the pot. Owen glanced over, “Calebt”
Snapped out of his daze, Caleb was almost relieved to hear his name.
“Sorry,” he muttered, fishing a piece of meat out and dropping it into Lily’s bowl.
But the idea stuck with him, and his gaze toward Owen turned a little more inquisitive
To be fair, the
- Shaw!
family was a lot simpler than the Saxons–no endless rules or complicated relationships.
He was a few years younger than Kim and constantly being set up on dates with people who only cared about status and gain, never compatibility or feelings
Kim was lucky–he got to choose his life freely.
Caleb didn’t plan to meddle in Aria’s love life. As long as she was happy, that was all that mattered.
After dinner, Derek jumped at the first chance, “Caleb, did you come straight bare from the airport?”
“Yeah”
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Chapter 229
“How about we just share a room and crash at Owen’s place tonight?” Derek went right ahead, deciding for Caleb without waiting for his are
Caleb turned to Owen, “Is that okay with you?”
Derek gave Owen a look that said, “This is Aria’s big brother. You’d better make a good impression.”
Owen got
the hint and nodded, “Sure. Do you have your luggage in the car?”
Aria, having noticed Caleb’s car earlier, offered, “You can stay at my place too–no need for you two
Owen added, “I’ve got a spare room here.”
Caleb smiled, “I’ll stay with my sister, then.”
Derek rolled his eyes–why was he the only one getting kicked to the curb?
squeeze together.”
