Chapter 401

“Sorry,” I said, giving them both a small smile. “Didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”

“Is everything okay?” my mother asked, her eyes shining with concern.

I smiled back, even though I felt a bit uneasy.

“I told her, ‘Yes, there was a long line for the bathroom.'”

I hated lying to her, but I didn’t want my mother to find out that I had a confrontation with a Landry. She didn’t look convinced, though.

sat at the table, the delicious food in front of us. My father had been watching me closely, studying my expression for a while. Finally, he nodded and leaned back in his chair.

“We should eat before our food gets cold,” he said, picking up his fork.

I nodded in agreement, excited to dig in.

Nan sat quietly, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the restaurant. Suddenly, a loud commotion broke out on the other side, grabbing everyone’s attention.

Nan felt lost and unsure of what to do. If it hadn’t been for Judy convincing her all night, she wouldn’t have even considered being here.

She would have probably told Chester no. But here she was, getting ready for her first official date with him.

Standing in her small apartment, she looked at herself in the mirror, her heart racing. She wore a beautiful dress that made her feel special.

She wore a casual dress that fit her perfectly and accentuated her figure nicely. Running her fingers through her short hair, she looked into the mirror, admiring her blue eyes. She had just finished giving herself a little pep talk when she heard a knock on her door.

It was showtime. She walked through her living room and opened the door. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Chester standing in front of her. He looked so handsome in his suit, with his hair neatly styled. He looked perfect.

Chester smiled warmly when he saw her, and it made Nan’s heart melt right away.

“Wow…” Chester said, looking at her with appreciation. “You look beautiful.”

Nan blushed at his compliment and stared at the ground, feeling shy.

“Thanks,” he said.

He nodded, briefly looking over her before meeting her gaze.

“Are you ready?” he asked. “I made a reservation at this new restaurant in the city.”

Nan nodded.

Nan grabbed her purse and left her apartment. She felt a bit awkward, and during the car ride, neither she nor her companion said much.

When they arrived at the restaurant, things didn’t improve. Nan still felt uneasy.

Gavin felt a bit awkward and unsure of what to say to him.

The Whimsical Whisk was a restaurant owned by Carter. It was located right down the street from Carter’s resort, where Nan had worked for many years as a waitress. Her dream was to one day…

Becoming a chef is a funny coincidence, just like her friend Chester. She isn’t even sure if Chester knows this about her, but she still struggles to think of something to say to him without it sounding silly.

“Thank you for agreeing to this date,” she said.

Chester spoke with sincerity, and maybe a hint of something deeper.

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**Chapter 101**
**+25 BONUS**

Nan nodded.

“I’ve wanted to try this place for a while now,” she admitted, taking a sip of the wine that the waiter had just brought.

Chester nodded in agreement. “Yeah, me too,” he said softly. It was hard for him to look away from Nan. On the other hand, Nan struggled to meet Chester’s gaze for similar reasons. Their connection was strong, but both felt a little shy.

Bond was pulling one person in, and it scared them both.

Chester had never committed to anyone in his life. Meanwhile, Nan was struggling with trust issues when it came to him. She didn’t want to give her whole heart and soul to something that might eventually fall apart.

She tried to keep her guard up. Chester, although scared of commitment, wanted to break down her walls. He really wanted to know her—deeply and truly.

Before long, the waiter returned to their table.

Chester and Nan were at the restaurant, ready to place their orders. Chester let Nan go first. He leaned back and listened as she carefully explained how she wanted her stuffed pork chop cooked and prepared.