Chapter 367: Never meant to hurt you
"You’re more confident than I expected," Ivy remarked, folding her arms as she looked at him. "Tell me the price of the ticket. I’ll pay you back," she added, determined.
Roderick shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Hey, that’s not how it works. I’m the one who wanted to take you there, so consider it a gift, a gesture for considering dating me," he said, emphasizing the last part with a teasing glint in his eyes.
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Isn’t your gift a little too expensive?" she challenged. "At least let me cover half the cost."
"Nope," Roderick refused easily. "But if you really want to do something, just treat me to some meals while we’re there. That would make me happy," he suggested.
Ivy let out a small chuckle, shaking her head at his stubbornness. "Fine," she agreed. "I think I should go down then."
"Sure. Your parents must be waiting for you," Roderick said.
"Hmm." Ivy nodded and turned on her heels, walking toward the door at a leisurely pace. However, just before stepping out, she hesitated and glanced back at him.
Without a word, she closed the distance between them, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. Leaning in, she pressed a soft kiss on his lips, surprising him. "Goodnight, Roderick. The dinner was truly wonderful. I think, for the first time, we actually enjoyed each other’s company at a family gathering," she said, her lips curving into a small smile.
Roderick blinked, momentarily stunned. "Yeah," he managed to say, though his ears had turned noticeably red. Ivy smirked at the sight but said nothing as she stepped back and gracefully walked ahead of him.