After dinner, Yasmine and Serana tidied up the dining area.

“Cleaning up” was a generous term, considering Serana was doing most of the

work.

Yasmine, who had grown up in an orphanage, may not have had the easiest

childhood, but she was never required to do chores like cooking, laundering, or

chopping wood. Once she left the orphanage, such tasks were even further from

her reality. Her hands were soft and beautiful, with slender, pale fingers.

Standing beside Serana at the sink, the most Yasmine would do was to wipe

down the already clean dishes. And she had this air about her, as if she had

done some monumental task that deserved high praise.

Enter title…

Serana wasn’t much of a talker. It seemed ever since Yasmine started dating

Boyd, Serana had become even quieter. The time they spent washing dishes

was particularly tough for her. The moment the last plate was dried, she let out a

sigh of relief and quickly said, “There’s nothing left to do now, Yasmine. You

should get on with your evening.”

Yasmine rinsed her hands under the faucet and watched Serana put away the

dishes. “I’ve always meant to say, you have a real knack for cooking and

cleaning,” she said.d2

Serana paused for a moment, then smiled at her. “I’m just curious about these

things, so I tend to pay more attention. Boyd isn’t too keen on eating out. If you

have the time, I could teach you a few of his favorite dishes.”

Yasmine chuckled and shook her head. “No time for that.”

After putting away the utensils, Serana turned and gave her a strained smile.

“They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I’m sure Boyd would

be delighted if you cooked for him.”

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?” Yasmine smirked, looking at

her. “Is that what you thought back then?”

Serana’s smile froze instantly. Her eyes locked with Yasmine’s for a few

seconds before she forced herself to look away, her grip tightening on the edge

of the countertop. “It seems like you’ve misunderstood something about us,”

Serana said softly.

Yasmine observed her for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Why so

tense? Who did I misunderstand you with?” she teased.

Serana bit her lip, replying quietly, “Nothing…”

Noticing Serana’s trembling hand on the counter, Yasmine’s eyes sharpened.

for the

only managing a stiff

kitchen, thinking Serana’s smile was more unsettling

comforting.

was lounging on the sofa, perusing the

reserved charm that struck a

her hand. Puzzled, he took her hand

with faint disgust. “I wanted you to

nice,”

dishes. So you like the scent of dish

him, his

Washing dishes?”

tighter, withdrawing her hand. “I did half

work.”

and reached into the drawer under the coffee

cream. He squeezed a generous

to

filled the air. Once her hands were

Boyd kissed them

that

arched an eyebrow, admiring her well-cared-for

won’t make it

laughed, shaking his head as he gently

tonight?”

him a languid look. “Not going back until you finish my

Boyd paused, hand still on her

hand away.

things you’re thinking about

frown deepened at her

shoulder. “No room for

books on the coffee

Yasmine cut him off

“Five days from now.”

“No.”

“Three days.”

“No.”

Boyd swept the books off the table, scooped

and headed for the

night, no

her down on the bed and leaned over her, Yasmine put

still here. Have you no

her hand.

“Then we’ll talk after

the watchful

wasn’t joking, Boyd

out of bed. “I’m going to

that Boyd

and stepped out, intending to get a

and Boyd was speaking with a detached tone on the

two years before graduation. You’re thinking

he said.

think my

moment before

it’s up to you.”

sigh

caught the beginning of their conversation, but

about what it entailed.

bedroom, Serana stood up from the

on her for a moment. “I’ve got homework. I should

handed Yasmine a glass of water.

temperature.”

the glass, watching Serana pick up an orange peel from

toss it in the

reminded her of the way Bryson’s wife, Aliza, would play the part

capable wife at home. She would cook

liked, tidy the house until it was spotless,

she prepared the meal.

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