Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 782

Grace looked over the menu with a decisive gleam in her eye. “Alright, I’m going all in!”

Murray nodded, a silent spectator to her enthusiasm.

“Hey, Sally!” Grace called out to the owner, who was bustling behind the counter.

She rattled off a list of orders with the ease of a regular. “Trust me, these are to die for! Better than any fancy restaurant!”

Grace's eyes sparkled with excitement as she made her recommendations. Murray, however, was less than enthusiastic. The smoky aroma of the barbecue in the air made his throat itch, and the constant hustle and bustle around them only added to his discomfort. The plates of grilled food that arrived at their table barely held his attention before he lost all appetite.

He reminisced about the early days with Roseanne when they’d happily devoured street food together. How things had changed. Now, it all felt wrong.

Grace picked up a skewer, smiling as she offered it to him. “Try this one. It’s my favorite.”

Murray didn’t reach for it.

Grace hesitated. “You’re not into this, are you? I’m sorry, I should’ve thought it through,” she said quickly, setting the skewer down with an awkward flush. “We can go somewhere else if you want. You pick.”

“It’s not that,” Murray replied. “My stomach’s been acting up. I can’t eat much lately. You go ahead.”

“Oh… but I ordered so much…”

Murray’s patience was wearing thin. “If you can’t finish it, just leave it.”

Grace managed a few skewers before giving up. The rest went untouched.

The owner chuckled. “What do you know? Word was he’d sworn off love after his ex, but looks like the rumors aren’t true. Here he is, back with someone new.”

The manager shrugged. “Guys like him, with money, looks, and connections, they’re never out of the game for long.”

“Yeah, well, let’s make sure he has a good time. He’s our ticket to a good night’s earnings.”

The champagne was a classic choice—crisp and slightly tart, perfectly chilled. Murray, used to stronger spirits, found its gentle taste lacking in punch. He sipped slowly, savoring it.

Grace, on the other hand, seemed delighted by the bubbly sweetness, downing three glasses in quick succession and reaching for another.

Murray gave her a sidelong glance. “Champagne can still get you drunk, you know.”