Brady rolled his eyes playfully. “Hadley, give me a little credit. I’m not helpless.”

Laughter bubbled up from him. “Honestly, anyone who’s ever lived overseas winds up a half-decent cook. It’s a matter of survival!” Only by moving abroad did you learn just how bad takeout could be—and how strong food cravings got. If you wanted a taste of home, you had to roll up your sleeves and cook for yourself.

“I promise, I’ve got everything under control.”

She nodded, satisfied. “Good. I’ll pack this all up for you.” Check latest chapters at find?novel.net

With practiced hands, Hadley loaded everything into a sturdy bag, tucking in some ice packs to keep it fresh on the way. “Now hurry up—don’t let Colleen go hungry on my account.”

Brady grinned. “Will do. Thanks, Hadley.”

Soon enough, he was on the road, leaving Jewel Avenue behind and heading straight for Colleen’s apartment. A quick press of the doorbell brought Colleen to the door.

“Did I keep you waiting?” Brady asked, stepping inside with the bag in hand.

She shook her head, a smile forming. “You just beat me. I walked in only a minute ago.”

Still dressed in her work clothes, Colleen hadn’t even had a chance to change.

“Feeling hungry?”

Brady set his bag down on the kitchen table. “Let me whip up some ravioli, reheat the meatballs, and stir-fry those vegetables. How’s that sound?”

“Absolutely amazing!” Colleen’s eyes lit up at the thought, her stomach already rumbling as she watched him start to unpack. “Where’d you find all these ready-to-cook meals? Did you stop by the grocery store?”

“Hadley sent them. Rest assured, nothing store-bought—just wholesome, honest ingredients.” A low laugh escaped Brady. “The cook made everything this afternoon since I was coming over for dinner. My sister packed these for us, and now all I have to do is finish the last steps.”

While he organized the food, he gave her a little wave. “Rough shift today? You’ve been in that lab coat for hours in this heat. Go freshen up. I’ll have everything ready by the time you’re out.”

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Brady grabbed the containers and moved toward the stove, already thinking ahead to their meal. “Dinner will be on the table by the time you finish up.”

Colleen leaned against the doorway, a gentle smile playing at her lips. “Aren’t you exhausted? You’ve put in a full day too—yet here you are, still cooking for me.”

He just chuckled at that. “Exhausted? Hardly. My job’s all paperwork and air conditioning. Compared to you, I’ve got it easy.”

A quick gesture toward the bathroom underscored his point. “Go on—get that shower in.”

Reluctantly, she nodded. “Okay, okay…”

Still, Colleen lingered, her eyes resting on him for a long moment. Somehow, despite being the younger one, Brady always ended up looking out for her—and it never felt forced or awkward. It was simply who he was.

Recalling the things Hadley had once said, Colleen couldn’t help but wonder what kind of upbringing could produce someone so considerate.

Catching her thoughtful stare, Brady arched a brow. “Hey, you alright? The shower’s not going to run itself, you know.”

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