Chapter 742

Her spine went stiff, and her inner monologue kicked in: “Seriously? Why is it always him?!” Still, she plastered on a polite smile and looked up. “Uncle Aaron.”

There he was, rocking his standard uniform—black button-up, dark pants, zero personality. It was like he’d hit pause on his wardrobe evolution years ago. Yet somehow, every time she saw him, it felt… weirdly intense, like a déjà vu she couldn’t shake.

“You here for something?” he pressed.

She shook her head. “Just here for a friend.”

“Need help?” Straight to the point.

Her brain flickered to Keira. Sure, Keira could use a get-out-of-jail-free card, and Aaron could probably deliver, no sweat. But Keira had her own plan, and Sasha was part of it. No point dragging Aaron into this mess.

“Nah, I’m good,” Lena said, her tone final.

Aaron gave her one of his cryptic little hums. “Day off today?”

“Yeah,” she admitted, regretting it the second the word left her mouth.

Because, of course, Aaron wasn’t just making conversation.

“Let’s grab lunch.”

And there it was. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck across a table with him. Things had been awkward ever since the—uh, incident. Seeing each other naked? Not a bonding experience.

“No need. I’ve got stuff to do,” Lena shot back. She screamed inwardly, ‘Please take the hint.’

“I need to talk to you about something,” Aaron said, completely ignoring her, but no thanks.

Lena narrowed her eyes, but he didn’t even flinch. “It won’t take long,” he added. “And even with your ‘plans,’ you still need to eat lunch.”

She glanced at the clock. Noon. Of course, it was noon. ‘Perfect timing—thanks, universe,’ she thought, rolling her eyes internally.

With Aaron digging his heels in, refusing again felt… rude. Plus, he did say he had something to discuss, which meant she was stuck.

“What do you feel like eating?” Aaron asked as soon as they were in the car.