Chapter 112

• Lalaine did her utmost to suppress the tears as she completed packing the last of her belongings. She was aware that she would return, yet bidding farewell was still difficult. While gathering the final few pairs of jeans from the closet, her gaze fell upon the white shirt she had worn on the night Nick had chosen her as his dessert. Tracing her fingers along the sleeve, she recalled the expression on his face when she had entered wearing solely that shirt. Despite her resentment towards him at the time, the undeniable sexual tension between them lingered in the air. The Cooch, echoing her sentiments, urged her to tuck the shirt into her bag. She complied, knowing that Nick would not miss it. Despite his extensive wardrobe, that particular shirt held immeasurable value to her.
• Nick emerged from the bathroom clad in a V-necked T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. His damp hair stuck out in every direction from their morning shower, and he had opted to forgo shaving, a choice Lalaine found endearing. "A bit casual for the office, wouldn't you say?" she quipped, stuffing his shirt and her remaining clothes into her bag before zipping it shut.
• Wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, Nick hugged her close. The faint scent of cologne and body wash wafted to Lalaine's nostrils, and she savored the moment, etching every detail into her memory. "Yes, but it's ideal for escorting my girl back to her parents' house," he responded, his chin resting on her shoulder as he gazed down at her bag. "How did you manage to fit all your clothes in there?"