This realization delighted Chloe Johnson. She missed the delicious food at his house so much, and now she finally had the chance to relive those culinary memories!
"Your house is huge," Chloe Johnson said, sticking out her tongue slightly.
She had always thought movies exaggerated—who actually lived in houses this big, with gardens the size of parks? Now she believed it. Some people really could be this wealthy.
Seeing Chloe's pink tongue, Ryan Carter again felt the urge to pull her into his arms and taste it—except he couldn't. Suppressing the desire, he stepped out of the garage first.
"Ryan, who else lives here?" Chloe followed, asking eagerly. She'd been so focused on the food that she'd forgotten she'd have to face his family. Was it too late to worry now?
"My parents," Ryan answered curtly, giving Chloe another brief reply.
"Is this outfit too inappropriate?" Chloe tugged at her school uniform, then nervously smoothed her hair. The thought of meeting Ryan's parents made her tense up. For some reason, she wanted to make the best possible impression.
"Don't overthink it," Ryan said softly, amused by her nervousness.
Right now, she looked like a bride meeting her in-laws for the first time.
"Your home is absolutely beautiful!" Chloe Johnson marveled, gazing at the blooming flowers.
"Do you like it?" Ryan asked.
"Love it!" Chloe nodded emphatically. Who wouldn't adore such a stunning garden?
"Good." Ryan tossed out a reply that left Chloe utterly puzzled.
Inside, Chloe spotted a middle-aged couple standing by the entrance, as if they'd been waiting just for them.
"My parents," Ryan introduced.
"Mr. and Mrs. Carter, hello! I'm Chloe Johnson—just Chloe is fine. Sorry for intruding," she greeted politely.
"No need to apologize! We'd be thrilled if you 'intruded' every day," Mrs. Carter beamed, unable to contain her joy.
Finally, their son had brought a girl home—something she'd been hoping for ages!
"Please, have a seat," Mr. Carter said warmly, his face the picture of fatherly kindness.
Chloe's nerves finally settled. They seemed to like her—though she wasn't sure why she cared so much about what Ryan's family thought of her…
Chloe took a seat while Ryan went to grab drinks.
"Chloe, you're still in school?" Mr. Carter asked, eyeing her uniform.
"Yes, I have finals tomorrow," she answered honestly.
"How did you and Ryan meet? Is he as boring as he seems?" Mrs. Carter pressed—this was what she really wanted to know.
"Drinks." Ryan returned just in time, setting two glasses on the coffee table and cutting off his mom's interrogation.
Chloe casually picked up one and took a big gulp.
Ugh! Bitter as medicine—what was Ryan trying to do, poison her?
"Did I piss you off or something?" She nudged him with her elbow, whispering.
"No. Why?" Ryan looked completely baffled.
"Then why'd you give me this disgusting stuff?"
"Wrong glass. That one's yours." He pointed to the other drink.
Oh. So she'd grabbed the wrong one. Couldn't blame him for that. Flustered, Chloe shoved the bitter tea into Ryan's hands and snatched the correct glass.
Mr. and Mrs. Carter watched them, grinning.
Were they already this comfortable with each other? Perfect.
"Chloe, I'll start cooking dinner now—you're staying to eat, of course!" Mrs. Carter stood up, addressing Chloe with a smile.
"Mrs. Carter, you couldn't get rid of me if you tried! Let me help." At the mention of food, Chloe perked up immediately.
"Next time. Since it's your first visit, let Ryan show you around," Mrs. Carter said cheerfully.
Maybe they were kindred spirits—why else would Chloe light up like that at the thought of cooking?
Truthfully, Chloe wasn't particularly skilled in the kitchen; she just wanted to see how Mrs. Carter worked her magic to make everything so delicious.
Mrs. Carter gave her son an encouraging look before calling to her husband: "Old man, come help."
"Coming, old woman," Mr. Carter replied, following her into the kitchen.
"I told you not to call me 'old woman,'" Mrs. Carter grumbled as they walked away.
"What's an 'old man' without his 'old woman'?"
Watching their retreating figures and listening to their fading banter, Chloe couldn't help but laugh.
Growing old together, hand in hand—what a beautiful thing.
Ryan studied Chloe's smiling face, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms and keep that smile all to himself...
The golden hues of sunset bathed the two figures walking side by side through the garden. Neither spoke as they strolled leisurely until they reached Mr. Carter's expansive rose garden.
Chloe gasped and crouched down, marveling at the teacup-sized blooms. She inhaled deeply - the fragrance was intoxicatingly sweet!
"My dad planted these for my mom," Ryan said, kneeling beside her.
"That's so romantic!" Chloe exclaimed. What a thoughtful man Mr. Carter was - unlike her own father, who'd probably never even given her mother a single leaf.
"These are specifically for Mom's tea," Ryan explained. "Dad always felt she sacrificed so much for our family. Now that he's home more, he planted this whole garden so she could dry the petals for tea. They're supposed to be good for the skin." Like his father, Ryan had inherited this devotion - he'd always cherish the woman he loved with his whole heart.
Just then, Ryan's phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, he stood and said, "Dinner's ready."
Their house was ridiculously huge - they even summoned people to meals by phone!
With one last lingering look, Chloe let Ryan lead her back inside, his hand warm around hers.
"Mrs. Carter, your cooking puts professional chefs to shame!" Chloe enthused between bites at the dinner table, never missing a chance to shower compliments.
"Oh Chloe, with praise like that, you'll make me vain," Mrs. Carter laughed, delighted to see Chloe devouring her dishes with such relish.
"You've earned every bit of it—no one would disagree, right Ryan?" Chloe turned to Ryan with an expectant look.
"Right." Ryan had underestimated Chloe—when she wanted to, she could charm like a fox. Watching her effortlessly win over his mother, he couldn't help feeling pleased she'd made such a good impression.
"If you love it so much, you should come by often," Mrs. Carter invited, casting a meaningful glance at her son.
After dinner, Chloe immediately jumped up to help clear the table.
"No need—you're our guest," Mrs. Carter protested.
"If you treat me like a guest, I'll be too shy to visit again!" Chloe insisted. She already felt guilty about eating for free—sitting idle afterward would be downright embarrassing.
With an amused smile, Mrs. Carter finally relented and let her tackle the dishes.
After washing the dishes, Chloe joined Mrs. Carter in the living room for conversation.
"Mrs. Carter, you should just think of me as another daughter," Chloe said cheerfully, plopping down beside Ryan with a grin.
"Is that alright?" Mrs. Carter asked, though her eyes darted to her son - half afraid he might object, half hoping she might gain a daughter-in-law instead.
Ryan's lips quirked into a faint smile as he avoided his mother's knowing gaze. Why did everyone seem to understand his feelings except the one person who mattered?
"Chloe, time to go," Ryan said, grabbing his car keys.
"Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Carter," Chloe stood to take her leave.
Ryan pulled the car around to the front entrance. When Chloe opened the passenger door, she found a freshly cut bouquet of roses waiting on the seat.
"Do you like them?" Ryan asked. He'd noticed how reluctantly she'd left the garden earlier, so after dinner he'd secretly gathered these for her.
"I love them! Thank you!" Chloe beamed, cradling the roses as she settled into the car. She buried her face in the blooms, inhaling their rich fragrance.
Watching her radiant delight, the thorn pricks on his hands suddenly didn't sting so badly anymore.
"The flowers were grown by my father - I'm just presenting borrowed blooms," he said with a quiet chuckle.
"But you cut them for me yourself, didn't you?" Chloe's heart swelled when she noticed the thin red scratches across Ryan's knuckles.
Ryan treated her so well! If the opportunity ever came, she'd go through fire and water for him without hesitation.
"We're here," Ryan announced as the car stopped in front of the Johnsons' residence. Chloe still had her face buried in the bouquet.
"Thank you, Ryan," Chloe said earnestly before getting out.
"Sweet dreams tonight."
"You too. Drive safely," Chloe replied, carefully cradling the roses as she stepped out of the car.