The Best Mate He Trusted Wanted Me More Chapter 06

The Best Mate He Trusted Wanted Me More Chapter 06

Turns out, moderation exists for a reason.

Julian had left a note by the pillow.

He blamed losing control last night on being drunk.

I exhaled in relief.

He didn’t remember.

My phone buzzed.

Rowan had been texting since six in the morning.

Three words.

“Are you up?”

When he showed up, I barely recognized him.

“Did I assign you a task last night? Because it looks like you fought a blender and lost.”

He shot me a grumpy glare, messy hair and all, and walked straight into the kitchen.

The reader feed filled me in.

“Somebody spiraled all night and forgot sleep existed.”

“He showed up grumpy and still started cooking. Unpaid labor, but make it romantic.”

“Eat. You clearly need fuel.”

He put a steak and kidney pie in front of me.

I twitched.

This guy was petty.

“Why do you actually hate me?”

He looked at me coldly, the disdain obvious.

“You only chased Julian because of The System. And now you’ve dragged me into it too. I’ve never met a woman this shameless.”

I blinked.

“That’s not it. The System only gave me a little nudge. I actually like Julian.”

I meant it.

The first time I saw his face, I was gone.

I thought if I said it plainly, Rowan might at least stop insulting me.

Instead, his expression soured.

“Eat your food. Believe whatever you want.”

I grabbed a takeout box and started packing.

He frowned.

“What are you doing?”

I didn’t bother looking up.

“Julian had a long night too. I’m bringing him some.”

“Oh, and my back is sore. Can you rub it after?”

The door slammed.

I turned around. Rowan was gone.

The reader feed was hysterical.

“Clara said thank you for breakfast, now go suffer. Respect.”

“Every insult Rowan throws at her is going to age badly. Very badly.”

Julian was happy to see me bringing food.

He kept his face neutral, but his ears turned red when he opened the box.

“You made all this?”

He cleared his throat.

“How’s your back?”

I smiled stiffly and shook my head.

The reader feed was enjoying it.

“Julian got dinner and the benefits. Rowan got breakfast duty and emotional damage. Best friend of the year, unfortunately.”

Rowan’s cooking was definitely better than mine.

Julian ate every bite.

The next day was a weekend.

Normally, Julian’s Mayfair friends would drag him out.

But today, Rowan didn’t call.

Julian was in a good mood. We were about to start a movie when his phone finally rang.

I watched him pick up with a blank expression.

He frowned.

“Clara, it’s Rowan’s birthday today. Do you want to come?”

His friends didn’t like me.

I wasn’t about to force myself into that room.

I watched him leave and exhaled, turning back to the TV.

Then the doorbell rang.

Rowan walked in like he owned the place.

“Shouldn’t you be at your birthday party?”

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

“You remembered my birthday?”

I blinked and rolled my eyes.

The reader feed was scrolling fast.

“He invited her boyfriend to his birthday party, then skipped it to show up here. Sir, that is not subtle.”

“Since you’re here, I want butter-poached prawns for lunch.”

I had to give him credit. His cooking was legit.

Free labor? I wasn’t turning that down.

“I’m not your personal chef…”