He’d noticed it ages ago: every time she got embarrassed, her skin gave her away.
Her ears would flush pink, or sometimes it was her cheeks...
It made you want to reach out and give them a little pinch.
But Dennis Williams wasn’t about to act on that impulse—he figured if he did, she’d bolt out of there in a second.
So he kept his hands to himself and asked, his tone carefully casual, “You hungry? Wanna grab some food?”
He added, “We could pick up something for later, too. Just in case your advisor or Lillian wakes up in the middle of the night and needs a bite.”
Camila Davis considered it and nodded. “Alright, but dinner’s on me. After everything you’ve done for me, it’s the least I can do.”
Dennis couldn’t help but smile. It reminded him of when they’d first met; she’d said almost the exact same thing back then.
She’d always loved treating people to food.
Not that he minded.
“Alright, your call,” he agreed.
He stood up and walked out with Camila.
Before leaving the hospital, Dennis made sure to leave a couple of people to keep watch outside the room.
Then he and Camila headed to a cozy little bistro just down the street.
The place wasn’t big on burgers or steaks—since it was so close to the hospital, the menu was more about comfort food and lighter fare.
There were different kinds of porridge, homemade breads, and a few hearty stews on offer.
Camila didn’t have much of an appetite, so she just ordered a bowl of chicken soup.
The food came out fast.
When the steaming soup was set down in front of her, Camila reached out to lift the lid without thinking.
But before she could touch it, Dennis stopped her.
“Careful…”
She froze, looking down at his hand holding hers.
“It’s hot,” he warned gently. “Let me.”
He let go of her and grabbed a napkin to lift the lid himself.
A cloud of steam puffed up from the bowl.
Camila didn’t dare touch it, but her hand—where he’d just held her—felt almost as hot.
Her mind started wandering again.

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