As she said this, Teresa gave Eric a meaningful look.
The implication was clear. He should offer them to Linda.
Linda looked puzzled. “Really? But you don’t even like those, right?” Linda had known Eric well since they grew up together.
“Why would Eric buy them?” she wondered.
Suddenly, it made sense.
Linda’s intuition flared. “Wait, who did you get them for?”
With a light tone, Linda smiled. “For Hadley, huh?”
“Yes.” Eric nodded in confirmation. “She was up all night caring for Grandma and hasn’t eaten yet.”
“That makes sense,” Linda replied, still smiling.
“Go ahead, Hadley, eat before they cool off. I need to head to the set.” Before Eric could reply, Linda pulled her assistant’s arm. “We should go now.”
“But Linda!” Teresa complained. “Why didn’t you ask Mr. Flynn to give them to you? He would have agreed if you had asked!”
“You talk too much. Let’s go.”
“I’m just looking out for you. You’ll be hungry until lunch!”
Eric overheard their entire conversation. He thought to himself that if Ernest were here, he wouldn’t let Linda go hungry.
He looked over at Hadley, who was still waiting, and called out, “I’ll get more for you!”
With that, he hurried after Linda.
“Linda!”
“What?” Linda turned around, puzzled. “What is it?”
“Here.” Eric handed her the bag. “You shouldn’t skip breakfast. You need to take better care of yourself.”
“This-” Linda hesitated, reluctant to accept it. “What about Hadley?”
“Hadley?” Eric shrugged. “There are other donuts. I’ll find something else for her. She won’t be left hungry.”
“Then-“
“Just take them.”
Eric placed the bag in her hand.
“Alright,” Linda conceded, a smile appearing. “I won’t argue then. I’m in a hurry, so I must go.”
“Okay.”
As Linda walked away, Eric turned back to Hadley.
“I’ll get more. I’ll queue up again-“
“There’s no need.” Hadley spoke up firmly. “Did you forget? You just bought the last three paczki.”
Eric’s expression darkened, irritation evident in his voice. “They have other options. Come on! They’re all donuts! You’re just being difficult now.”
Hadley paused momentarily.
She then chuckled quietly to herself.
Eric really had some nerve with his double standards. Linda could be picky about her food, and that was acceptable. But when it came to Hadley, he called her difficult.
Had he forgotten that those donuts he just gave Linda were meant to be Hadley’s thank-you gift for staying up with Nyla?
As Eric’s words left his mouth, he sensed his own mistake, discomfort flickering in his eyes.
Yet, displaying vulnerability was not in Eric’s nature, especially not in front of Hadley.
He was committed to his stance once he declared it.
Eric’s tone was resolute, bordering on defiant. “So, are you going to eat or not?”
Hadley perceived his growing impatience. She sighed internally, preferring to avoid any conflict.
She responded affirmatively, “Yes, I’d like to eat.”
Eric’s expression relaxed into a faint smirk as he softened his approach. “What flavor would you like?”
“Anything is fine.”
Hadley had only wished for paczki, but they were sold out, and now she’d just have to take whatever Eric had chosen for her-just like how things used to be between them.
“Understood,” Eric replied, his eyebrow arching. “I’ll get them. Wait here.”
Hadley settled into a seat, waiting calmly.
Shortly, Eric returned with a tray that surprisingly included donuts and two cups of coffee.
“I’ve got us coffee as well.”
“Thanks.”
Hadley immediately inquired without much thought, “What are these?”
Eric responded casually, “You said anything was fine, so I let them choose.”
That seemed reasonable.
Hadley picked up a donut and took a bite. She then grimaced slightly.
Eric caught her expression. “Something off with the donut?”
“No…” Hadley offered a small smile. “It’s just… it’s really hot; burned my tongue a bit.”
Eric didn’t dwell on it.
He picked up a donut himself and took a bite. “Maple syrup and bacon, huh? Not bad.”
He looked over at Hadley. “Do you like it?”
Hadley swallowed her bite with difficulty. “Yeah, it’s good.”
Good?
Far from it.
She absolutely hated maple syrup.
After nearly a decade of knowing Eric and sharing countless meals over five years, it baffled her that Eric still hadn’t picked up on her hatred of maple syrup.
It made sense, though. Eric often overlooked the preferences of those he was indifferent towards.
Hadley knew she couldn’t really blame him; he wasn’t obligated to remember her preferences.
Nevertheless, she managed to suppress her discomfort and finished one donut.
After that, she stopped eating.
“Why have you stopped?” Eric appeared surprised. “Are you full already?”
“Yes,” Hadley replied, patting her mouth with a napkin. “I’m fine now.”
“Really?” Eric’s tone grew skeptical, and his expression hardened. “Is that all?”
“Yes.” Hadley affirmed with a nod. “I’ve received your thank-you gift and appreciated it. Thank you.”
Appreciated it?
Eric felt a twinge of annoyance. Was that her idea of appreciation?
“We’re even now.”
Hadley reached for her bag, ready to leave. “I need to get going…”
Suddenly, she stopped, a thought occurring to her. “Hey, Eric, when are you available? Now that Nyla’s surgery is over, we should finalize our divorce.”
“I’m not available anytime soon!” Eric responded abruptly, irritation evident as he glanced at the leftover donuts. “What’s the hurry? You can’t wait?”
Hadley shook her head, puzzled by his reaction. Rising from her seat, she said, “Well, I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your breakfast.” She didn’t wait for a reply, shouldering her bag and walking out.
Eric remained seated, frustration simmering inside him.
What was her angle? Did she just give him attitude?
“She’s been away for years, and all she’s learned is how to get under my skin,” Eric fretted.
Returning to her apartment, Hadley took a nap to energize herself for her performance at Galant that evening.
Hadley arrived in the late afternoon, ready to get a head start on her preparations for the evening’s dance performance.
Lennon had chosen a beautiful outfit for her, a gown of soft, flowing chiffon that seemed almost weightless.
She began dressing and applying her makeup.
Lennon came into the dressing room.
“Mr. Lewis,” Hadley greeted, standing up quickly.
“Relax, keep sitting,” Lennon instructed with a smile, motioning for her to continue her makeup. “Just listen while you get ready.”
“Okay.”
Lennon was there to talk about what was coming next.
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