Elara ate the late-night snack Theodore had brought, unable to help but marvel, "Your cooking has improved so much."Theodore smiled. "How does it compare to Finnegan's?"Before Elara could answer, Theodore realized what he'd said and corrected himself, "Sorry, I shouldn't compare myself to your brother. We're not really in the same league."He spoke self-deprecatingly but without any real sense of inferiority.She said, "My brother shaped my taste preferences, so it's hard to make that comparison. I can only say that what you're cooking now really suits my palate."Theodore's lips curved upward as he said, "I don't have anywhere to go tonight. You don't mind if I stay here to keep you company, do you?"Elara simply told him, "Suit yourself."After she finished eating, she continued working. When she looked up during her late-night work session, she saw Theodore leaning back on the couch. At some point, he'd put on a face mask and appeared to be asleep.Falling asleep with a fa
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