Amelia and Adam were whispering to each other, laughing happily. Nanci turned to Brian and said, “I didn’t expect to run into them again. What a coincidence! Let’s go say hi.”
Nanci carefully walked up behind Amelia and tapped her shoulder, exclaiming, “Hey! Surprise!” Amelia, caught off guard, jumped in her seat. When she turned around and saw it was Nanci, she pouted, “Nanci! You scared me to death!”
Nanci laughed. “We just finished lunch and wanted some dessert, and then we saw you and your boyfriend here. What a coincidence! Isn’t this fate?”
Amelia chuckled. “Haha, it really is a coincidence. Come, sit with us.”
“Brian, come join us. It’s not like you don’t know each other. We’d just be bored at home anyway, so let’s kill some time here.”
Brian walked over with steady steps, nodding politely at the couple. Adam looked at him and said, “Long time no see. You still look as handsome as ever.”
Brian extended his hand first. “Yeah, it’s been a while. I’ve always been handsome. No need for you to point it out!”
Adam shook his hand, amused. “One compliment and you’re already proud. Even if you’re handsome, you’re still single. That means I’m better.”
Nanci and Amelia, hearing the men’s conversation, found it uninteresting and started chatting on their own.
“Nanci, what are you here to buy today? I have a few membership cards here. Feel free to use them,” Amelia said, rummaging through her bag.
Nanci quickly stopped her. “No, no. I’ve just been cooped up at home for too long. It’s almost summer, so I thought I’d buy some clothes.”
The mention of shopping ignited Amelia’s inner shopaholic. Her eyes lit up. “Why don’t we shop together? I haven’t bought new clothes in a while either. It’s time to refresh my wardrobe.”
Adam, hearing this, looked at her skeptically. “Amelia, didn’t we just go shopping last week? Your closet is practically overflowing.”
Amelia pouted. “Those were from before. They don’t suit me anymore. Besides, when I shop with you, you’re always on your phone, saying you have work to do. I’m not happy about that! Now that I finally have someone to shop with, of course, I’m going to make the most of it.”
Adam didn’t know what to say and simply gave in. “Alright, alright. Buy as much as you want!”
Nanci glanced at Brian, hesitating. “Maybe we should shop another time. Today, I’m supposed to be showing Brian around. He doesn’t come to Alderley often. I wanted to spend more time with him.”
Seeing Amelia’s disappointed expression, Brian quickly said, “Nanci, go ahead and shop. I’m fine. You already bought me clothes, so consider that my farewell gift. You haven’t bought anything for yourself. Amelia’s right-our tastes as men might not help you pick the best outfits. Since we’re all old friends, let’s just go together.”
Amelia beamed. “Nanci, let’s go! Brian doesn’t mind. Come on, come on!”
Nanci had no choice but to agree. The two women walked ahead, while the men followed behind, their hands full of shopping bags. The two men exchanged glances, baffled by how many types of clothes women needed and how they could shop tirelessly for hours.
Only when the women went to try on clothes did the men get a chance to sit down and rest. Then, when the women came out to ask how they looked, the men had to think of ways to compliment them.
Adam whispered, “Hey, are you tired?”
Brian sighed. “Exhausted! But they’re women. As men, we should wait for them. So, let’s think about how to praise them when they come out.”
“I spend half my week complimenting her. Even as a cultured man, I’m running out of words! Someone save me.”
Brian chuckled. “I believe in you.”
“They’ve been to so many stores, and they show no signs of stopping… Men are so much simpler. We can pick out clothes in ten minutes, while they could spend ten hours!”
“Haha, stop complaining. They’ll be out soon. Be careful, or Amelia will get mad when she hears that.”
As the two men chatted, the women tried on more clothes. Amelia twirled in front of Adam, asking, “How does this dress look?”
“Uh, it’s nice.”
Nanci wore a white dress and stood next to Amelia. Brian spoke up, “This simple dress looks extraordinary on you.”
Amelia stomped her foot. “Look at how Brian compliments Nanci!”
Adam felt helpless. “Honey, you’ve changed outfits so many times, and I’ve complimented you every time. You must be tired of hearing it. Besides, you look good in anything.”
Amelia finally smiled at his words and dragged Nanci to the checkout counter.
Seeing the bags in their hands, the two men exchanged a look of despair. Fortunately, Nanci noticed it was getting late and said to Amelia, “Let’s call it a day. We’ve bought enough clothes. Edward will be expecting me at home. Let’s shop together another time.”
Amelia, still eager, asked, “It’s still early. Why don’t we have dinner together?”
Nanci smirked. “Aren’t you afraid Edward will come and drag me away?”
Amelia immediately pictured Edward’s cold gaze and shook her head. “Bye, Nanci! Let’s hang out again soon. Bye, Brian!”
Brian laughed. “Why is he so scary? Am I too friendly?”
“You’re just a good person. Anyway, Adam and I are going to hang out a bit more. Bye!”
Back at home, Brian helped carry the shopping bags to Nanci’s room before returning to his own.
Nanci, bored, took out her phone and texted, “When are you coming back?”
“Miss me?”
“A little.”
Edward, still at work, immediately put down what he was doing and looked at Issac.
Before he could say anything, Issac quickly said, “Got it, boss. See you tomorrow.”
Edward drove home and headed straight to the bedroom, where he found Nanci sitting on the bed with her laptop. Hearing the noise, Nanci turned around, surprised. “You’re back so early today! You didn’t reply, so I thought you were busy.”
“I was driving. I came back because I missed you. What did you do today?”
Nanci got off the bed and walked over to the pile of shopping bags, pulling out a few items. “Here, try these on. I saw them and thought they’d look good on you. I think you’ll look handsome in them.”
Edward smirked. “At least you still have a conscience. I’ll forgive you for not taking me out this time.”
“You were busy! Once you’re done with work, we can go anywhere! Try them on now. If they don’t fit, I’ll exchange them.”
As Edward started to lift his shirt, Nanci shyly covered her face.
The man’s eyes gleamed with mischief as he pulled her into his arms, his voice low and teasing. “Mrs. Clarkson, why don’t you help me?”
Nanci, of course, refused. “Don’t you have hands? I’m not your maid. Why should I help you with this?”
“Then maybe I should find someone else to help me.”
Nanci shot him an annoyed glare, walking over to sit on the bed, ignoring him.
Edward chuckled and calmly began changing clothes.
Edward had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and toned muscles. Nanci couldn’t help but stare. She swallowed hard, vowing to herself that it wasn’t just because she was captivated by his looks. His physique was simply breathtaking.
After a lengthy internal struggle, she glanced up to find him watching her with a teasing gaze. He asked, his voice deep and resonant, “Do you find it attractive?”
Nanci quickly turned her head away, her voice sounding unnatural. “It’s just okay.”
“Really just okay?”
His seductive voice lingered near her ear, causing Nanci’s ears to flush red.
She awkwardly stood up and walked to the window, turning her back to him coldly. “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before. It really is just okay.”
Silence fell behind her, and no one responded for a long time.
Nanci maintained her aloof demeanor, keeping her back to him for quite a while, but she couldn’t help but feel curious and wanted to turn around.
Just then, the man wrapped his arms around her from behind, his low and husky voice whispering in her ear, “Do I not attract Mrs. Clarkson anymore?”
His tone was calm but carried a hint of disappointment.
Nanci didn’t want to dampen his spirits, so after thinking for a moment, she replied seriously, “That’s not it. You’ll still be attractive.”
Edward chuckled softly.
Nanci was momentarily taken aback but instinctively turned to look just as Edward leaned down, his lips barely brushing against hers.
Their eyes met.
The cool sensation spread through her body, making Nanci jump back as if shocked.
Her delicate fingers touched her lips. “You… you stole a kiss from me!”
Edward gazed at her deeply.
Watching her feign shock while truly being on guard, he felt a flicker of disappointment in his eyes…
He casually finished dressing, deftly buttoning his shirt, and suddenly spoke as if making a promise, “Don’t worry. I won’t force you into anything without your consent.”
His voice was heavy, carrying a deeper meaning.
Nanci understood.
Her gaze flickered, and she smoothly changed the subject. “Alright, let’s go downstairs. Dinner might already be ready.”
Edward suddenly asked, “When is Brian leaving?”
“Why do you ask?”
“He’s such an eyesore, getting in the way of our intimacy.”
Nanci laughed, “He’s only here for a short time. He might leave tomorrow or the day after. He’s busy but came right away because he was worried about me.”
Edward gritted his teeth, “He even asked you to give him a shoulder massage! I’ve never asked you to do that for me, and he enjoys your services without hesitation.”
Nanci laughed, noticing a hint of jealousy in his voice. “And you wanted to hit him, remember? We thought you were faking being sick back then!”