After lunch, while Bonnie made a phone call, Maeve went to pay the bill. Although Bonnie had offered to pay, Maeve felt uncomfortable doing so at such an upscale restaurant. "Let me do it," Byron said, his deep voice coming from behind her. She turned to see him taking out his phone. "It's okay," Maeve said. "I can't let you spend so much money." She paid the bill. The waiter smiled, saying, "We look forward to seeing you next time."

Byron ignored Maeve's attempt to pay, and she reluctantly moved closer, whispering, "Mr. McDaniel, how much was it? I'll transfer half." She thought, I invited him; why is he paying?

Byron, hand in pocket, saw her conflicted expression. "Have you ever seen a couple split the bill? Or do you want others to know there's a problem in our relationship?" Maeve considered this. "I have. A former colleague split everything with her husband—even to the penny—and they divorced because of a disagreement over the cost of anniversary gifts."

Byron's lips curled slightly. "My family never did that, and we won't start now." Splitting bills with my wife? he thought. Can't I support her?

Since Byron insisted, Maeve considered transferring the money to the card she'd given him. She then pointed to the ice cream shop across the street. "Let me treat you. Bonnie's still on the phone. Let's get ice cream and then find her." Byron frowned. "Ice cream in winter? Weird. You haven't had enough medicine, huh?" And she's hungry again? he thought.

Maeve felt a terrifying premonition. No more ice cream at home! she thought. He'll nag me endlessly. She compromised. "Cotton candy is fine, right?"

Byron sneered. "Your offer is crap. You just want some yourself." She's using me, he thought.

For the sake of cotton candy, Maeve avoided an argument. Although she'd offered to treat, she only bought one, as Byron considered cotton candy childish and refused some.

Maeve took a bite and pointed at Byron's tie. "Mr. McDaniel, your tie is crooked." I must have bumped into him in the queue, she thought.

Byron, leaning against the wall, said without looking up, "Whoever messes it up fixes it."

Maeve hesitated, then handed him the cotton candy and straightened his tie. He was over six foot three, so she had to tiptoe, bringing them close. Byron, holding the half-eaten cotton candy, looked down at her soft face. He could only see her eyelashes and lips, slightly smeared with cotton candy, which looked alluring. Her hands brushed against his chest as she adjusted his tie, an intimacy even closer than direct contact.

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Her serious expression was so gentle, she looked like a wife helping her husband. Byron's gaze was deep; his Adam's apple bobbed. In a low voice, he said, "Maeve, is cotton candy yummy?"

Maeve instinctively licked her lips. "It's yummy. It's very sweet." Byron noticed. His eyes darkened. "Is that so? I'll try it then."

Byron's unexpected kiss startled Maeve. "This is a public place! And there's still cotton candy left! Why kiss me if you want to taste it?" I'm not cotton candy! she thought.

"I paid for the cotton candy. Do I need your permission to taste it?" Byron said calmly. "Dream on."

Maeve was speechless. His reasoning is flawed! she thought. She turned to find Bonnie. If I argue, I'll be brainwashed.

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Maeve left, unaware that Karen, worried about alerting Maeve, had nearly intervened. Jeff wasn't exaggerating. Byron avoids women, but what I saw was unbelievable. I've never seen such shameless behavior, Karen thought, clutching her phone. The heiress probably doesn't know her maid is seducing her husband. I can't wait to see them fight!

When Bonnie returned, she noticed Maeve's flushed face. "What happened? Why are you so flushed?"

Maeve shook her head. "Nothing. Too many people buying cotton candy; I got jostled."

"Oh," Bonnie said meaningfully. "I thought you secretly kissed. It's good that nothing happened."

Maeve's face flushed further at the word "kiss". How does Byron always manage to kiss me? Does he have kissing cravings? It was just a kiss, less than yesterday, yet my heart's racing!