Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 617

Avoiding anything she couldn’t eat, Sylvia picked out a few dishes from the menu and ordered some pantry staples for Rupert while she was at it.

Then she saw the delivery fee—and practically choked.

Sheesh, high-end neighborhoods really did charge for everything.

Even the delivery cost was twice what she usually paid.

Oh well, she told herself it was just paying back a favor. When she thought about it that way, she figured she was still coming out ahead.

A while later, the video intercom for the front door chimed.

At that moment, Sylvia was in the kitchen, washing the plates Rupert had just tossed aside.

She checked the price tag—over a thousand bucks, per plate!

If he didn’t want them, she’d happily take them home.

With plates that expensive, everything tasted better. Well, except maybe PB&J.

As she rinsed off the suds, she called out, “Mr. Rupert, can you buzz the door? Should be the grocery delivery.”

“Mm.”

Rupert was leaning in the kitchen doorway, eyes lingering a little longer before he finally pushed off to answer the door.

Sylvia, still clutching a plate, suddenly remembered something.

She dropped the plate back in the sink and dashed out of the kitchen, not even bothering to dry her hands.

“Wait! Let me get it myself!”

But she was too late.

Rupert had already pressed the intercom. On the screen was a close-up of the delivery guy’s face.

He glanced at the order slip and shouted, “Is this for ‘Innocent College Guy’?”

His voice echoed through the fancy foyer.

Innocent College Guy…

Innocent…

Rupert arched an eyebrow and looked back at Sylvia, half amused.

Sylvia pressed a palm to her forehead. She wished she could reach through the screen and clamp a hand over the delivery guy’s mouth.

This was exactly why she’d learned this trick online after the last time a delivery guy got too nosy. Pick a ridiculously flirty username, then ask Zion for a gym selfie—abs and all—to make it look like her place was occupied by some dude.

She’d just forgotten to tell Zion what username she’d picked.

The delivery guy, not getting a response, shouted again, “Hello? Are you ‘Innocent College Guy’ or not?”

Sylvia started to answer.

As she washed some greens, her hair kept falling in her face. It was getting annoying.

The Nth time she tried to flick it back, a deep voice rumbled behind her.

“Let me.”

He brushed her hair aside, his long fingers threading gently through the strands, gathering them in his hand.

Even without turning, Sylvia could feel how close he was, his presence radiating behind her.

Reese had stayed here before—there should be a hair tie somewhere.

“There isn’t one,” Rupert replied, voice low.

His breath was warm on the back of her neck, making it clear what he meant.

Sylvia gripped the lettuce tighter, tearing it apart a little too forcefully.

A tangle of conflicted feelings boiled inside her—the more she tried to keep her cool, the harder it was.

But common sense kicked in, and she pretended to busy herself slicing vegetables, putting more distance between them.

“What are you two up to?!”

A sharp voice rang out from the kitchen doorway.