BuzzNovel“Thanks for helping out today.”
“Con, you don’t have to say that.” Eddie flicked her forehead in a playful, big-brotherly way. “Looks like the
amusement park’s off the table, huh? But you said he likes to draw, right?”
Alessia nodded.
“Mind if | talk to him for a bit?”
Her raised eyebrow said all he needed to know.
Eddie grinned and crouched down, making himself eye level with Ivan. As soon as he did, Ivan let go of Alessia’s
hand and ducked behind her, using her as a shield.
Alessia didn’t try to coax him out. Instead, she just reached back and gently patted
his head.
“Ivan, at least listen when someone's talking to you.” Her voice was soft, not even close to lecturing, but it had a
calming steadiness to it that made it hard not to
relax.
Ivan stopped trying to disappear and peeked out from behind Alessia, gripping the hem of her shirt for security.
“Hi there, nice to meet you. I'm Eddie. | know, it's a mouthful, so if you want, you can just callEd.” Eddie
looked him straight in the eyes, his smile gentle, voice warm, and features open and kind-easy to trust.
He offered his hand. Ivan hesitated, but Eddie didn’t rush him. He just kept smiling, patient, as if he could wait all
day.
At last, lvan managed a quick, tentative handshake-barely a touch before retreating again.
“Great job,” Eddie said quietly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Ivan’s ears turned a little pink, and he inched further behind Alessia.
Eddie didn’t push. Instead, he stood and held open the car door for them both.
“So, your studio’s still running, huh?”
Eddie chuckled, a fond smile on his face. “Just because I'm away doesn’t mean it shuts down. | have someone
cby and tidy up now and then.”
1/2
11.49
Chapter 113
“When are you heading out again?”
“Not for a while. I've got an art show coming up here. You should bring Ivan by if you're free.”
“What do you think?” Alessia turned to Ivan, who was absently tugging at his seatbelt and gazing out the
window. At the sound of her voice, he glanced over, eyes distant.
Alessia just laughed softly, letting the question drop, and reached over to smooth his tousled hair.
About forty minutes later, they finally pulled up to their destination. Eddie, ever the gentleman, opened the door
for them and led them into his private world.
The front garden was beautifully kept, the flowers and shrubs all pruned and vibrant. The stuitself was built
from old red brick, carrying that romantic, old-European charm-like something out of a storybook castle. Ivy
crawled up the walls, but the giant glass windows were spotless, letting in the afternoon light.
Ivan looked around with wide-eyed curiosity, though he stayed glued to Alessia’s side, not daring to wander.
There was a soft beep as Eddie's
fingerprint unlocked the door he
lock clickeg, ancasthbdioor swung
obeh' the wind chtinkled brightly,
lifting everyone's The content is on
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chapter there!
mood.
“Con in,” Eddie said, holding the door.
“Tea?” he offered.
Alessia nodded, and Eddie set about brewing a pot.
She hadn't been here in ages, but the
place still looked as Hele
inviingas eyer She's Justin had
atelally helped design the interior
together, way back The content is on
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chapter there!
when.
At the time, Eddie had been stuck
overseas with an art show he
couldn't get out of sotwdasked
Afessialo fanldle the decorating. She
hadn't expected the layout to still be
exactly the safter all these
years. The content is on
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chapter there!
“Well? Don’t tellyou've forgotten what it looks like,” Eddie teased, setting a mug of tea in front of Alessia
and a glass of water in front of Ivan.
“Hey, | did my share of the work here,” she shot back, a hint of pride in her voice, refusing to let him claim all the
credit.
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