Chapter 80

I nodded in agreement, observing as he took a bite of his meal and grimaced. "It's tasteless," he pronounced, and I erupted into laughter.

I quickly reached for the ketchup and dunked the French toast in it. "Now it's delicious," I declared, proud of my spur-of-the-moment culinary invention.

He smiled warmly at me, expressing gratitude through his eyes as he surveyed the array of roast chicken and poached tomatoes before him. The milkshake he had requested was blended to perfection, and he took a sip before gathering the courage to speak.

"Cassandra, I need to tell you something," he said, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness.

Curious, I lifted an eyebrow. "What's up?"

He stumbled over his words, his eyes glued to my hair. "I, um, really like your hair," he blurted out, blushing furiously.

I looked at him perplexed, uncertain how to react to such an unforeseen compliment. "Err, thanks, I suppose," I replied, attempting to conceal my confusion.

Jasper's jaw clenched, and he loc