Page 190 of My Ruthless Neighbor

His chopsticks halt mid-air. “Yeah? Work?”

“Nope.”

“Another party with the creative team?”

“Not really.”

He places the chopsticks down and watches me with the intensity of a predator. “Explain, baby before my patience runs out.”

My body reacts to the low threat along with that heated look.

I’m helpless when it comes to his voice. Because it sounds more deeper when he is all worked up.

Letting out a sigh, I shoot him a mock scowl. “I can’t even tease you without you throwing a fit about it.”

“Throwing a fit?” He lowers his brows and I gulp.

“Well, you know…”

“I don’t, baby. Tell me.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now tell me about yourplans.”

Too excited to tell him, I yield. “I’m meeting your mother for dinner on Sunday!”

“What?”

“I forgot to tell you. Your mom came by yesterday when you weren’t home. She is such a sweetheart. We quickly bonded over tea and talked about k-dramas. And when she suggested dinner on Sunday, I agreed.” I grin, then grab my phone from the table, about to show him my fun text conversation with her when he abruptly says, “Cancel it.”

I look up. “What?”

“Cancel it. You don’t have to meet her.”

My face falls. “But I want to. We… clicked.” She makes my heart warm.

“All the more reason to avoid meeting her.”

“But why? I am really looking forward to—”

“You don’t understand, Summer. If you go to meet her, she’ll want to meet you again and again.”

“What’s wrong in that?” I ask in a small voice.

“She’ll start imagining our future together, wedding and kids and all that bullshit.”

Bullshit? I would’ve used that same word to describe those things in the past.

But now, building a life together with Archer doesn’t sound like bullshit. It sounds wonderful.

I yearned for the familial love all my life. But never dared to obtain it. Never let anyone close. But with Archer? I want it all. I am willing to hope again. I am willing to dream again. A dream of having a family who loves me. A family I would belong to.

“I don’t think that’s bullshit, Archer.” I peer at him nervously, my heart thudding in my chest.

He stills, a shadow of something close to grief crosses his eyes. And in a blink, it’s gone. “You’ll not meetEomma. Trust me, it’s for the best.”

“Can I meet her once? Just this one time?” I ask hopefully.

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