Chapter 3Crawfish Season

I was thinking very clearly.

So, at work, when the nice lady from accounting asked again if she could introduce her younger brother to me, I didn't smile and change the subject to decline like I usually did.

Instead, I smiled and said, "Sure! Give me his number!"

"We can get to know each other first."

That same day, I added Julian—no, wait, I can't use that name. I added Liam's contact info and sent a simple greeting.

The other party didn't seem to have much interest in chatting.

I'm not the type to force a conversation on someone who's giving me the cold shoulder, either. After two or three awkward exchanges, the conversation died.

I figured Liam probably wouldn't initiate contact again.

I didn't expect his sister to like me so much!

That day after work, she asked her brother to pick her up. Then she found an excuse to treat me to dinner. She brought me and Liam to a restaurant, and then immediately claimed she had to use the restroom and disappeared, leaving Liam and me staring at each other awkwardly.

It was our first time meeting, and we were both a bit embarrassed, unsure of what to say.

"I'm actually not that hungry," I hesitated for a moment, then suggested quietly, "How about we just leave?"

Liam nodded hastily, agreeing completely.

But just as Liam and I were about to get up and leave, the waiter started bringing out food.

That's when I realized that before his sister left, she hadn't just thoughtfully ordered for us—she had also paid the bill!

Now it felt really rude not to eat.

Liam sat back down, rubbing his temples, and looked at me helplessly. "Sorry about this. My sister's antics are sometimes so frustrating."

I burst out laughing and said, "It's fine. I actually think she's a great person with a great personality."

Liam looked at me in disbelief. After a long silence, he replied, "I finally know why she likes you so much."

"No wonder she's always going on and on in my ear about how great you are."

"She's talked about it so much my ears are bleeding."

I blinked, intrigued, wanting to know what his sister had said about me.

Once that topic came up, Liam wasn't tired or awkward anymore. He perked up, determined to spill some tea about his sister.

I listened and laughed, and the two of us slowly started getting along really well.

Just as Liam and I were hitting it off, a cold laugh came from above our heads. "Heh."

I looked up and met Caleb's mocking expression.

"What a coincidence. Your new boyfriend?"

I paused, momentarily unsure of how to explain.

But Caleb didn't seem to need my explanation.

He just stared at me fixedly, gritting his teeth as he enunciated every word: "This restaurant is full."

"Mind if my girlfriend and I sit with you guys?"