Chapter 202: Warm-up Only!

Chloe’s cool, polished facade completely shattered on the spot. A deep, rosy blush crept up her neck and onto her cheeks, a shy, flustered smile breaking through her usual composure.

"I... I would love that, Ethan," she murmured, quickly turning her head away to pretend to adjust her jacket sleeve, though she couldn’t hide the wide, radiant grin on her face.

Ruby, on the other hand, immediately crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks, ready to launch into a full-blown protest. "Wait a second! What about my private time?!"

I just raised an eyebrow at her with a smirk as I backed into the bedroom.

Ruby huffed, letting out a dramatic sigh and tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Fine! Whatever! Go enjoy your little country date. I’ve already been to the local diner with Ethan anyway, so it’s not like there’s anything that special about it..."

She tried her absolute best to sound completely indifferent, but the adorable pout on her lips and the way her eyes lingered on me betrayed her instantly. She was burning with jealousy, her possessive streak practically radiating off her, but she was trying so hard to play it cool.

"Don’t miss me too much," I teased before closing the bedroom door.

Inside, I threw on a crisp, tailored button-down shirt, dark jeans, and my favorite leather jacket—keeping it stylish yet rugged enough for a proper date in the countryside. I ran a hand through my hair, applied a quick spritz of fragrance, and stepped back out into the living room.

Chloe looked up as I walked out, her eyes softening as she took in my outfit. She stood up, smoothing down her dress with a quiet, expectant smile.

"All set?" I asked, offering her my arm.

We pulled up to the roadside diner in the SUV, the tires crunching softly against the gravel lot. As we stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, Chloe paused, taking in the building’s weathered wooden exterior, flickering neon signs, and vintage charm.

"So this is where all the drama went down," she murmured, an amused smirk playing on her lips. "It actually has a nice, rustic vibe to it."

"Wait till you taste the cherry pie," I replied, opening the front door for her.

The moment we walked into the roadside diner, we were welcomed by the warm smell of fried chicken, sizzling burgers, and fresh cherry pie.

The place had a rustic, homey feel with red vinyl booths and neon sign lights reflected against the wood-paneled walls. A handful of locals were scattered around, eating and chatting quietly over their meals.

At the far end of the diner sat the small wooden podium that served as the stage. The old, worn setup had been completely transformed—the humble stand was now outfitted with a pristine, studio-grade microphone and heavy-duty concert speakers that practically radiated quality against the rustic backdrop.

As we walked toward a corner booth, head after head turned in our direction. Whispers rippled through the dining room as the locals took in our clean, sharp outfits and confident presence.

"Look... that’s the rich guy," one of the regulars whispered behind his menu.

"His with other woman?"

Before we could even slide into a booth, Mrs. Gable marched straight over to us, her eyes widening in pure recognition.

"Well, bless my soul!" Mrs. Gable gasped, bursting into a warm, ringing laugh. "Look who decided to grace us with his presence again!"

She looked at me, then at Chloe, and shook her head with a beaming smile. "Oh, now it all makes sense! When you were out on my farm bailin’ hay and tellin’ me you were just there for ’therapy’ and didn’t want a dime of pay... I thought you were just a quirky city boy. Now seeing you roll up in that massive vehicle... Lord have mercy, you really were just unwinding!"

I chuckled, pulling out a chair for Chloe before sliding in across from her. "Told you, Mrs. Gable. Honest work is the best kind of therapy."

"That it is, son, that it is," Mrs. Gable smiled fondly, dropping two menus onto our table before turning to Chloe. "And who is this stunning lady with you today?"

Chloe offered a polite, graceful smile, her cool composure back in full effect. "I’m Chloe. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Gable."

"The pleasure is all mine, dear! You two sit tight, I’ll help with your order, bringin’ out the best ribs, fries, and cherry pie in the state for your date!" Mrs. Gable beamed, winking at us before bustling off toward the kitchen.

Chloe leaned back against the red vinyl booth, her dark eyes sparkling under the dim neon lights as she looked across the table at me.

"So," she purred softly, resting her chin on her hand. "Show me what a countryside date with you feels like."

"The real main attraction doesn’t start until nightfall when they turn on the dance floor," I said, leaning back in the booth with a confident grin. "Trust me, Chloe. I’ve been practicing a few moves."

Chloe threw her head back and let out a rich, throaty laugh, her dark eyes flashing with skeptical amusement. "Really now? You, a dance floor mastermind?"

"Oh, absolutely," I smirked, tapping my fingers on the laminated table. "Just wait until the lights dim and I hit the floor. You’re going to be completely blown away."

"I am holding you to that, boss," she purred, her eyes locked onto mine with a dangerous, playful challenge. "If your dance moves don’t impress me, I’m billing you for my time."

Before I could fire back another witty reply, Mrs. Gable bustled back over to our table, balancing a massive tray loaded down with food. The delicious aroma of smoky, slow-cooked ribs, crispy golden fries, and a freshly baked, warm cherry pie immediately filled the air.

"Here you go, lovebirds!" Mrs. Gable beamed, setting down the steaming plates and dropping a heavy stack of napkins right between us. "Dig in while it’s piping hot!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Gable, this looks unbelievable," Chloe smiled, her refined posture softening the second the delicious smell hit her.

As soon as the diner owner stepped away, Chloe picked up a fry, dipped it in sauce, and leaned across the table to bite into a tender rib. A look of pure satisfaction washed over her face.

"Okay, I have to admit..." Chloe murmured, wiping her fingers with a napkin as a soft blush returned to her cheeks. "The food alone makes this trip worth it."

"Patience, counsellor," I chuckled, sliding the slice of cherry pie closer to her. "The food is just the warm-up.