Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 232

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 232**

**Chapter 232**

“Yes.” Sydney took a moment to swallow the last morsel of her muffin, savoring its sweetness. “She’s one of my patients.”

A smile blossomed on her face, brightening the small space between them. “Tastes good, right?”

Julian offered a genuine nod, his expression sincere. “Good.”

Sydney continued, her voice taking on a more contemplative tone. “The old woman is incredibly kind-hearted, but she worries herself sick over her grandson.”

Julian’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his features. “Worries herself sick?”

“Mhm.” Sydney nodded, her eyes reflecting empathy. “She just wants him to find someone special, but her grandson is like a clam—he never opens up. Oh, and he’s your age too.”

Both men were well past their thirties, a fact that lingered in the air like a heavy cloud.

Julian chose to overlook the subtle jab, finishing the last bite of his muffin with deliberate slowness. He carefully drew out a napkin, dabbing at his thin lips with an air of meticulousness before asking, “And then?”

Sydney was taken aback by his inquisitiveness. She hadn’t anticipated him wanting to delve deeper, but since she had broached the topic, she felt compelled to share more. “Over New Year’s, she mentioned that he might have a girlfriend now, though she wasn’t entirely sure it would lead to marriage.”

Julian’s mind raced. He felt a sense of certainty creeping in. While he was puzzled as to why Sydney had told Agatha she was already divorced, he had no intention of revealing that little detail.

Raising an eyebrow slightly, he pressed further, “So, do you think that girlfriend would marry him?”

“Me?” Sydney blinked, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice. “I’m not his girlfriend. What does it matter what I think?”

“And if you were?” His dark eyes locked onto hers, a smoldering intensity flickering within them.

Sydney hesitated, her heart racing slightly at the weight of his gaze. “If I had to imagine… Yeah, probably.”

A faint smile played on Julian’s lips, a mixture of amusement and intrigue. “So all it took was hearing that old woman praise him a few times for you to think he’s a decent man?”

Sydney shook her head vigorously, her conviction clear. “No. I think she’s the decent one.”

‘And a fantastic cook, too,’ she added silently in her mind, a warm fondness swelling within her.

Julian pondered her words for a moment, then murmured, “Not a bad reason.”

She stepped into the master bathroom, picked up her rinse cup, only to hear his slippers shuffling softly behind her. This time, Sydney caught on quickly. “I don’t have any extra cups here.”

Aside from Tiffany and her mentors, no one ever stayed over—she didn’t keep guest toiletries.

Julian raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. “So there’s a toothbrush?”

“Yes.”

At the end of last year’s massive online sale, she had impulsively bought a new electric toothbrush and snagged a second one for the discount. She certainly hadn’t expected to be using it so soon.

Under his watchful gaze, she stretched up, opened the cabinet behind the mirror, and handed him the unopened box. “Here.”

He said nothing, merely unwrapped it with practiced ease, fixed the brush head in place, and rinsed it thoroughly under the tap before squeezing her toothpaste onto it.

Then, with a casualness that sent warmth flooding her cheeks, he lifted her cup to sip water right under her nose.

Even though they had kissed more than once, witnessing him use her cup so casually still made her heart race.