Chapter 136 Paul Couldn't Have Fallen for Aaron, Could He?
Jenny savored the dishes, raving about how delicious Nora's cooking was.
Nora just smiled.
Aaron eyed the barbecue ribs before him and thought of Jack's attentiveness toward Nora. Without hesitation, he placed them in front of her.
At the same moment, Jack had just set a lobster roll before Nora.
"Have this one; it's delicious."
Their offers overlapped almost simultaneously.
A silent pause fell over the table as the others watched the trio.
Nora glanced between the two dishes and said, "You guys, go ahead; don't worry about me."
Aaron and Jack exchanged a look.
Their gazes met briefly in the air, sparks flying before they calmly shifted away.
Jenny blinked, sensing the dynamics.
"Jack must like Nora. But he's too solid and hasn't made a move on her all these years. Aaron seems interested in Nora, too. But with all the women after him! That type of guy just won't do."
She still preferred Jack and Nora together.
Nora prepared a plate of steamed crab, which the kids all loved.
She donned disposable gloves and started picking crab meat for the children to eat.
Nearby, Jack also took a crab and placed its tender meat on Nora's lips.
"Nora, open up."
Nora paused. "Jack, you eat it."
"No big deal; you're too busy to eat."
Jack smiled warmly and, without further ado, stuffed the crab meat into Nora's mouth.
"Thanks," Nora said with a grateful smile.
Aaron watched this scene, feeling a slight chill in his aura.
He glanced at his gloves and subdued jealousy within him.
No rush; Jack's attentiveness was pointless because Nora only saw him as a brother.
He picked up a crab and fed the cleaned meat to Samantha.
Children are the apple of their mother's eye, and he figured winning favor with Samantha might be more effective than wooing Nora directly.
"Mr. Gordon sure knows how to take care of kids; he must be a loving guy."
Sitting across from them, Paul noted Aaron's attentive care for Samantha and complimented him.
Aaron, as he wiped a smudge of oil from the corner of Samantha's mouth, curled his lips into a half-smile and said, "I only show affection to those I care about."
"Looks like Mr. Gordon has taken quite a liking to these three kids; they are adorable."
Paul chuckled and saw Aaron's soup bowl nearly empty. He stood up to refill it for him.
Nora observed Paul's kind gestures with a subtle shift in her almond-shaped eyes.
Perhaps it was psychological, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Paul paid extra attention to Aaron.
It wasn't just the usual admiration for a superior at work. It was tinged with affection.
Could it be that Paul had fallen for Aaron?
Images flashed through her mind unbidden, like Paul pinning Aaron down. Nora quickly suppressed those thoughts, taking a sip of her soup to soothe her shock.
Dinner seemed to be a hit with everyone.
After they finished, Jenny helped Nora clear the table.
Once in the kitchen, Jenny whispered, "Nora, Aaron's definitely into you."
With a flicker in her almond-shaped eyes, Nora replied, "Don't be ridiculous; we've got a strictly doctor-patient relationship."
Did Aaron fancy her? Maybe! But that was as far as it could go. They weren't destined for anything more.
"Nora, after living together for so long and with Aaron being so handsome, you can't tell me you have no feelings for him?" Jenny asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Feelings? Of course, there are feelings. But you don't pursue everyone you have feelings for!"
Nora clarified, "Jenny, I'm not obsessed with romance; I've got three kids to focus on."
If she were to consider marriage, she'd need someone who could accept her divorcee status and treat her three kids as their own. Clearly, Aaron was not a fit.
His family would never accept her, along with her baggage!
"Nora, if you're thinking about the kids' best interest, why not consider my brother, Jack?" Jenny's eyes sparkled. "I'm pretty sure he likes you, and if you two got married, Jack would raise those kids as his own."
Caught off guard, Nora quickly responded, "Jenny, stop it. I see Jack like a brother, okay?"
"We aren't blood-related."
Jenny argued, "Nora, you're my best friend. Imagine how great it would be if you became my sister-in-law."
Nora found herself feeling rather uncomfortable.
"Alright, Jenny, let's not make this awkward, okay? Otherwise, I might start avoiding your place."
She knew Jack was a good man, but affection was peculiar.
Perhaps it was because she was too familiar with him; she felt no romantic love towards Jack.
"Fine, I'll drop it." Jenny sounded disappointed, changing the subject and helping tidy up the kitchen.
"Jenny, you've done enough; why don't you cut up some fruit for us to take out to the others?" suggested Nora.
"Sure." Jenny agreed, prepared a fruit platter, and took it to the group.
Watching her leave, Nora's lips curled subtly as she pulled a small bottle from her pocket.
For Jenny's happiness, she had to do something.
In the villa's front garden, Noe supervised three children as they set off eco-friendly fireworks.
The dazzling display in the sky thrilled the kids to no end.
Meanwhile, the others sat in the gazebo, watching the festive show.
Nora, carrying a coffee pot from the kitchen, emerged.
"Here, try some," she offered.
She poured a cup for each person.
Accepting their cups, they all thanked her.
With a slight curl of her lips, Nora discreetly watched Paul for any changes in his demeanor.
Before long, he grew visibly restless.
Noticing the shift, Nora pointedly asked, "Paul, are you feeling warm?"
"A bit," he admitted.
Beads of sweat formed on Paul's forehead, and he took another sip of his coffee to quench his parched throat.
Jenny reached out to check his temperature, concern etched on her face.
"Paul, are you too hot? Do you feel unwell?"
Paul instinctively dodged her touch, annoyance flickering in his eyes.
"I'm fine, Jenny. Stay and enjoy yourself; I need to head back."
Jenny hesitated. "Leaving already? Maybe I should go with you."
"No need. You stay. I just remembered some paperwork I left at the office. I need to get it now."
Paul rose to leave, urgency in his step.
"Okay then, just drive safely. I'll hang out here a bit longer before going back," Jenny told him.
With that, Paul excused himself, bidding Nora and the others farewell.
As he reached Aaron, he extended a hand and said, "Goodbye, Mr. Gordon."
Aaron returned the gesture with a polite handshake.
Overwhelmed by his presence, Paul couldn't help but lean in and kiss Aaron's artistic fingers.
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