His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 174: Crossing the Line

Iris nodded, a small smile forming as her eyes softened. "I do."

Julian glanced back at the pot, stirring it slowly before placing the lid back on. "Give it a few more minutes."

Then he walked over, stopping on the other side of the island.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The space between them wasn't large, but it felt filled with something unspoken, something that lingered just beneath the surface.

Julian broke the silence first. "After breakfast, is there anywhere you want to go? I can take you."

Iris shook her head lightly. "Not really. I think I'll just stay in and read for a while."

That answer made him frown, though not sharply. "We come all the way out here, and you're planning to stay inside with a book?"

Her smile deepened, easy and unbothered. "I've been out nonstop for months. Honestly, my balcony here is better than most places anyway. It's quiet, the view's great. That's all I need."

Julian studied her for a second, then let out a quiet breath and nodded. "Fair enough."

"What about you?" she asked. "Any plans?"

He leaned back slightly against the counter, tone casual again. "If you're not letting me sit there and read with you, I'll head up the back trails with Mason. Do a little hunting."

Iris gave a small nod, accepting that without comment.

Julian's gaze shifted briefly toward the stove, then back to her. This time, there was hesitation in his expression, something more serious settling in.

"Iris," he said after a pause, "there's something I want to run by you."

She looked at him. "What is it?"

"The situation with Arthur," Julian said, his voice lowering slightly. "What he did... I'm not letting that slide."

His hand tightened subtly against the counter, the tension visible even as he kept himself controlled.

"But he's Zoe's brother," he continued. "I don't want it to mess things up for you, so I need to know where you stand."

Iris didn't answer right away.

She drew in a slow breath, her fingers unconsciously pressing into her palm as she looked down for a moment.

When she finally spoke, her voice was steady but quiet. "When I first found out, I wanted him held accountable. That was my only thought. But legally, there's not much that can be done. It doesn't cross that line."

Julian's response came without hesitation. "I don't need it to."

She looked up at him and shook her head slightly. "Zoe's the only close friend I have left."

"If I handle it, it won't affect your friendship," Julian said, meeting her gaze directly. "And even if it did... you wouldn't be alone."

That caught her off guard.

A soft laugh slipped out before she could stop it, her hand lifting slightly to her lips. "Are you seriously trying to replace my best friend?"

Julian leaned forward then, closing the distance between them just enough to shift the air again. His voice dropped, quieter now, edged with something teasing but not entirely light. "If I did, would I get the same perks?"

Her brows drew together slightly. "What perks?"

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Being close to you. Like really close. Arm around you, hugging you... maybe even sharing a bed."

The shift was immediate.

The warmth in her expression disappeared, replaced by something firm and unimpressed. Without another word, she stood up and turned to leave.

Julian reacted just as quickly, reaching out and catching her arm. "Hey, I'm joking."

Iris let out a quiet breath, not looking back at him. "That wasn't funny."

There was a brief pause before he spoke again, his tone noticeably softer. "The food is ready. At least eat before you go. I made it for you."

That hesitation lasted only a moment before she gave in and returned to her seat.

Julian didn't hide the small smile that followed. He turned back to the stove, cracked an egg into the pot, seasoned it with practiced ease, and soon came back with a bowl.

He set it down in front of her carefully. "It's hot. Let it cool a little."

"Thanks," Iris said, picking up the spoon.

She stirred it gently, then took a small bite after blowing on it.

The reaction was immediate. "This is really good."

When she looked up, Julian was already watching her, the look in his eyes steady and unmistakably focused on her.

"You're not eating?" she asked.

Instead of answering directly, he asked, "It's that good?"

She nodded, scooping another bite. "Yeah."

Julian leaned in slightly, resting one arm against the counter, his gaze dropping to the spoon near her lips. "Let me try."

Iris paused, a faint crease forming between her brows. "Seriously?"

"Come on," he said evenly. "Friends share."

She exhaled, clearly unimpressed. "You really don't have any boundaries, do you?"

His answer came with a hint of a grin. "Not when it comes to you."

Before she could react, his hand closed over hers, guiding the spoon upward.

He took a bite directly from it.

The moment stretched.

Iris didn't move.

She watched him, watched the casual ease with which he used her spoon, the same one she had just used, and something inside her chest lost its rhythm completely.

What is happening right now?

Her heartbeat sped up without warning, uneven and impossible to ignore, heat rising faintly along her cheeks.

Julian straightened slowly, a smile settling in as his eyes stayed locked on her. "Yeah," he said, voice low, almost deliberate. "It's sweet."

The meaning didn't stay on the surface.

And Iris, still holding the spoon, found herself completely unsure what to do next.