Chapter 419

What surprised her was that she didn’t detest being so close to Tyler. Aside from his odd temperament, there was nothing she could fault him for—be it his upbringing, good looks, or excellent physique.

However, she refused to flatter herself and think that Tyler liked her.

If it weren’t for the dog…

Just when Rachel was still pondering how she could extricate herself from this delicate situation, someone knocked on the door.

Ray heard the knocking and jumped from Tyler’s back immediately, dashing to the door, thinking that William was back.

Rachel seized the chance to push Tyler away before standing up.

She knew Tyler had put his hands on the back of her head to protect her; otherwise, she would have suffered a concussion falling backward like that.

Tyler walked to the door and opened it, while Ray sat poised to lunge at the incoming person.

“Ray, in the house!” Tyler commanded, sending Ray shrinking back in.

Rachel suddenly had a sense of déjà vu, seeing a huge dog like Ray behaving like an obedient minion. At that moment, Ray looked more like a lapdog than the huge dog he was.

However, Ray clearly behaved more impudently before her.

Then again, few dared to behave impudently before Tyler.

Tyler received the food from the deliveryman and thanked him before shutting the door again.

The moment he shut the door, Rachel could smell the fragrance wafting from the bag of barbecue, which made her stomach growl.

“Where shall we eat?” Tyler asked.

Rachel pointed at the coffee table. “Right here.”

She had been busy at work while abroad in the last few years. She had come around, having gone through such a painful divorce with William, and realized that she would only come to regret relying on men one day. It was a terrifying notion to have her state of wealth and even her destiny in the hands of a man. William might be generous enough to buy her jewelry or bring her out for a grand feast when he was in a good mood, but if he had a change of heart, she would end up being discarded and forced to tolerate his public display of affection toward Samantha.

That was the lowest period of her life, but it no longer mattered.

In fact, it worked in her favor. William was in worse pain than she was right now.

It wasn’t enough for Rachel, though. She wanted him to be in greater pain.

Tyler placed the food on the coffee table and made his way to the fridge.

“Want a drink?”

“How about a soda?”

Rachel didn’t want alcohol; it sounded like a bad idea, especially when she was alone in an apartment with another man. What’s more, this was a critical moment. She was unsure of how things would unfold and dared not let herself overthink.

Tyler grabbed a beer and a soda and put them on the table.

Rachel grabbed one, and their hands accidentally bumped into each other. She pulled her hand back at once, as though she felt sparks fly.

There was a hint of romance in the air, and time seemed to stand still.

Rachel could hear her heart beating in her chest. She tried to compose herself and tell herself to calm down. If Tyler noticed anything amiss, he would surely seize the chance to mock her.

Rachel pulled the tab on the can open, sending a light, refreshing fizz spraying into the air. She tilted her head up and took a huge gulp, relishing the refreshing sweetness of the drink.

Tyler said nothing, as though what just transpired between them was no big deal.

He sat down next to Rachel, who unceremoniously grabbed a skewer and put it in her mouth. The spicy fragrance filled her senses, immediately hitting the spot.

Chapter 420