Chapter 39
The restaurant Lucian and Julie used to finquent five years ago was still open, though it had been renovated, upgraded, and expanded.
The still had taken over from the owner, who used to attend to rusioniers jet sorsilly,
Lucian chose a seat by the window and glanced at the menu. “Any food restrictions
Jolie shook her head
Undian then ordered a few dishes and handed the men to the water. He pulled out a cigarette and alien tumbled for a lighter but couldn’t find it.
He held his hand out to Julie. “Lighter?”
Julie was a le confused. ‘I don’t have one.”
“It’s in the pocket of my coat.”
Julle suddenly remembered she was still wearing his coat, she reached into the pocket, feir rund, and pulled out a black lighter, handing it to him.
Lucian took it, lit the cigarette, and inhaled deeply, exhaling a cloud of smoke
Julie watched him for a moment, then hesitated before speaking, “Didn’t you say you were quilting se
“Not yet,” he replied.
“Do you need to make preparations before quitting?” she asked, raising an eyebrow
Lucian’s gaze shifted to her face, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Of course, Quitting smoking requires a substitute:”
“A substitute?”
Licum didn’t answer. His eyes lowered to her lips, which were small, rosy, and tempting.
A wicked thought crossed his mind—“Kiss her. Kiss her hard”
He wanted to see what color her Eps would turn after he kissed her,
He parted his lips and said, “I can’t reveal it right now‘
Amph, he was still keeping her in suspense. Julio rolled her eyes inwardly
“Julie.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to tell you what it la?”
At first, she hadn’t been curious, but with his teasing, she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of substiture he meant. She nodded slightly, her pink lips parting just a bit. “I do” “Kissing,” he said, the word hanging in the air.
Julie was lett speechless.
For a moment, the silence between them stretched
Seeing her stunned expression, Lucian’s smile despened. “Maybe lids should ask less I might scare you.”
Julie quiddy turned away, mumbling. “I’ve told you a hundred times, I’m not a kid.”
Lucian chackled larily, “How will you prove that?
Julie pulled our her ID card without missing a beat and slapped it before him “See? I’m 22. Not a Idd”
She emphasized the word “kid with extra force.
Lucian laughed out loud at her serious demeanor.
“Why so serious, ldd?” he teased.
Julie puffed out her cheeks in irritation. “I’ve told you so many times. Don’t call me a kid”
“Alright,” Lucian replied, leaning back in his chair and eyeing her. “Call me your big brother and I’ll stop calling you a kid.”
Julie’s temper flared. She turned away, refusing to engag
Lucian pred”
Such a big temper for a kid.”
“You’re the kid,” the thought to herself.
Julie felt like there was no winning this conversation
Seeing that she wasn’t responding, Lucian reached our and rifled her hair. “Okay, olury. I’m sorry. Don’t be mad.”.
Julio huffed but didn’t say anything.
When the dishes arrived, Julie noticed Lucian had ordered grilled fish. But the sides were full of ingredients she didn’t like such as cortander, cauliflower, potatoes, and onions. Her pretty brows furrowed for a moment, but she quickly relaxed again.
