He Thought I Loved Him—Dating My Childhood Sweetheart Was Work Chapter 10

He Thought I Loved Him—Dating My Childhood Sweetheart Was Work Chapter 10

I thought it over. 

They must’ve tracked my new number. 

Probably even know I’m in Maplebrook Hollow. 

What if they come here looking for trouble? 

Especially Asher. He hates being lied to more than anything. 

Physically, I’d never stand a chance against him. 

Wait! 

There are two strong guys right downstairs. 

The next day, I talked to Kian before they packed their 

things. 

I asked if they’d be open to sharing the house. 

They’d get the first floor. I’d take the second floor and the 

yard. 

Shared kitchen. 

The guy with him agreed right away. Said to call him Fu. 

Kian hesitated. Glanced at the first floor, then nodded. 

Rent would be monthly. Kian and I signed a one–year lease. 

After a few days, I found out Fu was the investor’s son. 

He’d come out here specifically to talk business with Kian. 

Kian didn’t seem interested, but he was nice to Fu. 

One day, Kian was gone. 

Fu was in the house, on the phone with his dad. 

He suspected someone was using underhanded tactics to 

sway Kian, which was why he wouldn’t commit. 

I smiled to myself as I watered the yard. 

Two days later, Fu had to head back to Sunset Valley. 

It was just Kian and me in the house now. 

Mabel was happy when she heard we were sharing. 

She said Kian was a good kid, kind–hearted. 

He could fix things around the place if they broke, or if there 

were leaks. 

It was an old house, after all. 

The day after Fu left, Kian came home late. 

He showered, then moved easily around the kitchen, 

cooking. 

I sat in the yard and watched him. 

Kian’s grandma had put a big square window in the kitchen, 

facing the yard. 

Warm light glowed inside. Kian chopped and stirred under it. 

His profile, his frame, even his fingers–everything was 

perfect. 

He must’ve felt me staring. He looked up and asked casually. 

“Want some?” 

“Yeah!” 

I wasn’t even hungry. I just wanted to get to know him 

better. 

Kian made three dishes and brought them to the yard table. 

We sat across from each other. He glanced at me, signaling 

to eat. 

I’d planned to just pick at my food. But it was really good. 

The pepper steak smelled amazing. 

I ended up finishing everything. 

Mid–meal, I asked him. 

“Mr. Hale, how old are you?” 

“Twenty–five.” 

“Been in Maplebrook Hollow this whole time?” 

“Mhm… Moved back after college to start my shop.” 

“Got a girlfriend?” 

Kian’s chopsticks paused. His answer was short. 

“No.” 

“Oh.” My question died. 

I knew people tried setting him up. Still, I wanted to hear it 

from him. 

Silence fell. 

Kian spoke. 

“You can just call me Kian from now on.” 

“Alright, Kian.” 

He pressed his lips together, said nothing else. Cleaned up, 

washed the dishes–all smooth, easy movements. 

Didn’t let me help. 

Back when I was playing truth or dare with Asher’s group, I’d 

admitted I was into looks. 

It was true. 

Who doesn’t like good–looking people, regardless of gender? 

Kian was easy on the eyes. The kind with quiet, raw 

magnetism. 

I sipped my tea lazily and didn’t say more. 

Then I heard a car coming down the road.