Chapter 336

Grace pressed her lips together, speechless. She opened her lunchbox and began to eat.

Jason's eyes remained fixed on Grace. His attempts to keep her close seemed to be becoming a taboo. He didn't want her to leave, focusing only on how to make her stay willingly.

When had lunch together become something he looked forward to? He could simply eat with her; even silent meals made him happy. His happiest days, he realized, were probably those when she called him "Jay." She'd tease him, treat him normally, lovingly dry his hair, and repeatedly call him "Jay."

Jay… Jay…

Did she know how much he longed to hear her call him that, as if calling out to a beloved family member?

When Grace finished eating and looked up, she met Jason's gaze. He hadn't touched his own lunchbox; he'd been watching her the entire time. The realization made her face flush crimson. She quickly stood, saying, "I… I have to go."

As she bent to gather her lunchbox from the coffee table, he placed his hand on hers. Tilting his chin slightly, he stared at her. "Can you call me Jason, Sis?" His words were a barely audible plea.

Her body stiffened; her throat felt instantly constricted. "Why… are you suddenly…?"

"Call me Jay. I want to hear you call me Jason," he said.

She pursed her red lips, silent.

His face drew closer. "Can't you just call me that once?"

Suddenly, she smelled his scent. Seeing his lips about to touch hers, she blurted, "Jay!"

His lips paused, inches from hers. He smiled. "That's nice."

Her face burned even hotter. The moment his hand released hers, she practically fled the president's office.

Back in his office, Jason looked down at the hand that had just touched hers. He waited a long time before slowly closing his hands together, as if trying to retain the warmth.

That evening, after closing the restaurant, Kyla Corbyn handed Grace a book. "This is a book about sign language. You can read it if you want to learn."