Chapter 190

I said, ‘Got it,’ and ended the call. The dining table was set. Cutlery straight, wine cold, plates steaming. I stood there for a second, then dropped into the chair and started eating. Three bites in, I gave up. Everything tasted flat. I left the rest, grabbed the remote, and collapsed on the couch. Thirty minutes passed. I couldn’t remember a single thing I’d watched. When I looked up, Tom and Jerry was playing on mute. I let out a short laugh. Nothing funny, really. I got up, brought out the cake, and set it on the table. I took a small spoon from the drawer and dug in. The sponge was soft, not overly sweet, with a tart glaze that cut through the richness. Better than anything I’d cooked tonight. After a few bites, I flipped to some new drama people had been shouting about online. Ten minutes in, I still couldn’t tell you what the plot was. The wall clock ticked past nine. Ashton still hadn’t shown. I thought about going upstairs. But that photo kept flashing through my head. I want