Self

Chapter 42

“This should do it.”

Yale lifted the lid, skeptical, but after one taste, his face softened.

With all that tough talk and cold actions, he was just a softie at heart.

He took another sip and glanced toward the door. “Where is she?”

“Who?” Zachary was clueless.

“The one who made this. Has she figured things out? Is she coming back?”

Yale arched an eyebrow and huffed, “What is this? A revolving door for a hotel or diner? She thinks she can waltz in and out whenever she pleases?”

Shane lounged on the couch, eyeing Zachary’s awkward squirm with a smirk. “Don’t sweat it. Zachary lied about being hungry to get Yara to cook that soup. She’s not showing up anytime soon.”

Yale’s mood soured instantly, and he shot Zachary a frosty look. “Who asked you to go meddling? Who said you could make that call?”

Zachary winced and cleared his throat. “I was just worried about you, you know? You barely touched any food lately. If Yara hadn’t made that soup, you’d still be starving…”

Yale kept a poker face, silent.

“Hey, I swung by Yara’s earlier. Her place is tiny and run–down, with no elevator either. She’s climbing seven flights every day, and it’s obvious she’s struggling,” he said, watching for any crack in Yale’s calm, facade.

Despite Yale’s harsh words, Zachary caught a flicker of worry in his eyes. Yes, Yale was still hung up on her.

Zachary was about to add more when a sugary voice spoke from the entrance. “Darling?”

Zachary and Shane shivered, feeling a wave of goosebumps.

Xandra had not heard from Yale in days, and her calls went straight to voicemail. It took asking Michael to learn that Yale had landed in the hospital with a gastric perforation.

She was worried.

She ditched her classes and bolted to the hospital.

When she saw Yale looking so ghostly in his hospital gown, she bit her lip and cried, “Darling! I’m so sorry. I just heard about you being in the hospital. Are you still in pain? You look awful. Should I get the doctor?” Her barrage of questions drove everyone up the wall, and her non–stop crying as soon as she walked in did not help either. Yale was at a loss for words, and even Zachary and Shane were getting fed up with

the noise.

Yale massaged his temples. “Everything’s fine now, so please, no more tears.”

He found himself longing for the days with Yara. She would have handled his illness with such grace. No matter how upset she was, everything would have been perfectly handled.

Xandra had always been great at picking up vibes. When Yale’s mood shifted, she got the hint–it was time to dial back the drama,

She sniffled softly, holding back the tears, but her eyes were still glossy, brimming with concern and

Chapter 42

tenderness.

Yale caught her silent gaze, those teary eyes tugging at his heartstrings.

“This came out of nowhere, but it’s nothing serious. I’m okay now. You should head back to school.” Xandra bit her lip. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? I can whip up some mushroom soup for you….

At that, Zachary burst into laughter. They had yet to finish the last batch of mushroom soup, and there she was, ready to serve more. It felt hilarious to him.

Xandra had yet to really hang out with Zachary and the others. His laughter made her realize she was not alone with Yale. Annoyed, she thought, What’s so funny about making soup, anyway?”

Yale sensed her mood and said, with a slight frown, “No, it’s okay. You should get back to school.”

Xandra sensed his irritation and did not dare argue. She meekly agreed and left.

The moment she was gone, Shane, who had been mostly quiet, stood up and asked, “So, are you going to finish that soup or what?”

Yale was about to refuse the soup, but one look at the steaming bowl, and he could not help but grumble,” Who said wasn’t going to drink it?”