Chapter 801: You
Lily blinked, her breath catching as she stared at the scene before her. Was she supposed to be angry, or just laugh at the absurdity? Here she was, losing sleep over him—wondering if he was still hung up on Jasmine, or worse, using her as a substitute. Yet there he was, already out with another girl, looking carefree before the sun had even risen. Less than ten hours after their ’date’.
Lily blinked. She had been blinded by her childhood impression of him. It had been years since Jasmine passed away! She should have known that he would grow into a different person! His parents had probably done their best to help him move on. Unlike hers, who had tried to turn everything into a shrine for Jasmine.
She wondered if she should go into the diner now or not. And then felt angry at herself. This was the reason she had cried all night and now she was hesitating about going to the one place that served her favourite food? Like hell she was going to let him ruin it for her. In fact, if she went inside now, she could see firsthand his guilty expression and then cure herself of her childhood crush.
He did not give a guilty expression as she entered the diner, letting the bells above the door ring loudly. In fact he gave no expression because he did not even see her there.
Lily walked toward the counter, determined to place her order and act like she hadn’t just spotted him. Her pulse quickened as she moved past his table, half hoping he’d look up and see her, that maybe he’d feel guilty for what she’d witnessed. But he didn’t look. He was too focused on the woman sitting opposite him, his attention completely absorbed by her.
Last night, that same focus had been one of his most attractive qualities—the way he had listened so intently, as if she were the only person in the world. Now, watching him give that same intensity to someone else, it was just... irritating. Lily found herself willing him to glance her way, to give her some sign that he felt bad for being here. But nada!
With a huff, she reached the counter and placed her order, feeling more frustrated than ever. She could have stormed out, but no—she wasn’t going to let him ruin her morning or her love for the diner’s muffins. She needed to see this through, even if it meant ignoring the lump of disappointment forming in her throat.
When the server brought out her box of muffins, she caught it, paid quickly, and turned sharply—too sharply. She collided headfirst into someone, the impact sending a jolt through her body. Her forehead smacked against a solid chin, and she let out a startled gasp.
"Ow," she muttered, rubbing her forehead as her eyes moistened from the pain, only to hear a low chuckle above her.
"You’ve got a solid headbutt, I’d say," a deep voice said with amusement. Lily froze for a moment, her gaze lifting. When did he come here. He’d just been there at the table now. And he was even grinning.
"I’m so sorry..." she began, mortified, but before she could finish, he took her hand away from her forehead and, to her surprise, rubbed the spot himself. "Let me see. We don’t want any permanent damage, do we?"