"Y-you— " she let out a disbelieving laugh. "Don't tell me you're the one that… no, it's impossible to creepily imagine you cared for me that much."
"Don't flatter yourself, Ms Hale. I only did that because I felt responsible for putting you in the mess," Richard defended unconvincingly.
There was no fast rule that said he must be the one to personally take care of her. He could have gotten anyone to do that if he so wanted, but he didn't. But why?
It was one question he had refused to answer each time it rose in his mind since that day. And it was the same question he saw in Shantel's eyes as he gathered the courage to meet her gaze.
After what seemed like eternity, she let out a deep exhale and with a faint smile dancing around her mouth, said,
"I think we should eat first, I wouldn't want you to waste your hard-earned money."
Following her words with action, she placed the napkin on her lap and picked up the fork.
