The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 54

Aside from scooching over a tad when she sat down, all polite and proper, Sophia didn't make any move to chat him up during the whole dinner.

After the meal, the guys were all jockeying to escort the girls home.

Sophia had that girl-next-door charm, soft-spoken and serene, the kind of gal guys used to fall over themselves to please back in the school days, and that night was no different.

Among the eager beaver lads vying to take her home, Brandon piped up, "I live over in West district too. I can give you a lift on my way."

He clearly caught the surprise on her face, but Sophia was never one to put someone out. She thanked him and turned down the lift, saying she'd called a cab. But her refusal seemed feeble against the backdrop of her enthusiastic classmates, and in the end, she gave in and got into his car after a bit of friendly arm-twisting.

The ride was light on conversation.

Back in the day, they had all those unspoken understandings, even a sort of tacit closeness and reliance, but after a few years apart, there was a certain awkwardness. Yet, that awkwardness turned into a torrent of intense and fatal attraction the moment they bumped into each other in the dark of her room.

He kissed her, and then things spiraled out of control.

He wasn't the type to do things on a whim, and neither was Sophia, but that night was the start of a chaos for both of them.

Desire overrode all sense of reason.

Memories of that night flooded back, and Brandon couldn't help but steal a glance at Sophia.

She was still watching the young couple goofing around, a soft smile on her calm and gentle face, just enjoying the show.

Brandon thought about what she'd said – he wanted marriage, but she wanted love.

"Is that what you call love?" he blurted out, looking at her suddenly.

Sophia turned in surprise, not expecting Brandon to notice these things.

She always thought it odd to hear "love" from Brandon, who had always seemed immune to all things romantic since she'd known him.

"Why would you bring that up out of the blue?" she asked with a laugh, "Doesn't sound like you."

Brandon just chuckled and didn't reply, his gaze shifting back to the playful couple.

It really wasn't like him.

He could never be like those young guys, making silly faces to get a laugh from their girls.

He'd never had that playful, childlike side.

He knew how to protect someone but never quite learned how to make someone happy.

A chill breeze swept over the lake, carrying the cold dampness of deep autumn and rustling leaves toward them. Sophia's softly curled hair fluttered in the wind, and she sneezed.

Without thinking, Brandon cupped her ears with his hands, his body angling to shield her from the wind.

"Are you cold?" he asked, his hands gently rubbing hers.

His palms were warm and dry, and the spots he covered felt tinglingly hot.

Sophia vaguely remembered, back when they first got together, Brandon had this same thoughtful side. But with their hectic work schedules, dwindling communication, fewer outings, and family interference piling up, she almost forgot this side of Brandon as the disappointment with marriage grew, along with nostalgia for her single days before.

Seeing her daydreaming, Brandon thought she was cold. He spotted a stall selling scarves and hats up ahead, draped his jacket over her, and said, "Back in a sec," before heading to the stall behind her.

Sophia looked back in a daze, watching him swiftly buy a beige knit hat and a matching scarf, then walk back towards her.

He stood before her and adjusted her tousled hair with tender care.

She looked up at him, and he was half-closed his eyes, his handsome face as calm and composed as ever, his expression serious and focused as he fitted her with the hat and scarf. Only when he was done did his deep eyes finally meet hers.

"Better now?"