He took a look and saw it was peach-flavored, sugar-free yogurt. He took both bottles, unscrewed the caps, and returned one to Skylar.

She accepted it and took a sip. "It tastes good," she said. The peach flavor, paired with the strong yogurt aroma, made her relish every sip.

Joe took a sip after hearing her praise. It tasted acceptable to him. He set the yogurt aside and helped Skylar put the groceries away in the refrigerator.

She felt satisfied as she looked at the full refrigerator. "It's finally full!" she exclaimed.

Joe washed his hands before sitting on the couch. Skylar followed suit. As she watched him, she felt confused. She sensed he had something to tell her.

She washed some fruit before sitting across from him.

"Let's have some fruit," Skylar said. She had picked it up at a market on her way home; it was all fresh.

Joe picked up an apple but didn't eat it. Skylar's gaze was uncontrollably drawn to his hand holding the apple. His long, straight fingers, neat, rounded nails, and the watch on his wrist highlighted the allure of his hands. She unconsciously recalled a time he had touched her with those hands.

Skylar quickly looked away, staring at her own apple.

Joe suddenly asked, "When you saw me at the restaurant, why didn't you claim me as your husband?"

Skylar was surprised. "Claim?" she echoed. Had she misheard him?

"Given the circumstances, it seemed Nath and Mr. Hughes were the main focus," she explained. Furthermore, she was used to pretending not to know him in public. Even Natalie thought they couldn't possibly be a couple.

Joe raised an eyebrow coldly, clearly dissatisfied. "Are you and Jeremy's wife good friends?"

"Yes, she's my best friend," Skylar replied.

He took a bite of the apple. "You don't have to pretend you don't know me in public anymore," he said.

Skylar smiled. "You don't have to pretend either."

They had an unspoken agreement about pretending to be strangers in public. He couldn't fault her for adhering to it.

Joe was speechless.

Skylar glanced at the clock. "I didn't eat much at the restaurant. I'm a little hungry, so I'm going to make a simple dessert. Would you like some?"

"Make me some," he replied.

"Okay."

Joe read a book on the couch while Skylar made dessert. But when he heard a faint sound from the kitchen, he stood up and went to investigate. He stood in the doorway, watching her work. Then he remembered a photo John had sent him recently. When Skylar made desserts, she was as focused as when she restored antiques. Perhaps she wasn't aware that this intense concentration changed her demeanor.