Chapter 1420: Snuggle

Why did Haines show up tonight?

Simple.

Initially, he didn’t have to. Getting away from this arrangement for a day sounded like a treat—at least for a second. It gave him a moment to reflect on himself and his decisions. But as he headed home, something in his mind refused to let him go without a care in the world.

He had put himself in this situation, made her sleep in a car, and instead of facing consequences, he’d received an extension of her understanding. It didn’t sit right with him. So, even though he had skipped her birthday and was already late, he still came to check on her.

Coincidentally, she was still there.

And now, here he was, sitting across from her in the kitchen of her home as she finished her last glass of wine for the night.

"So?" Grace swirled the wine in her glass, resting her chin on her palm. She glanced up at him as he draped his blazer suit over the chair before sitting down. "Won’t you tell me why you came tonight?"

Haines raised a brow and shrugged. "I had an obligation."

"And what exactly is that obligation?" Intrigue flickered in her eyes as she tilted her head slightly.

"The arrangement," he said, clearing his throat. He entertained her, but his tone remained distant. Haines poured himself a glass of wine — just enough to say he had stayed and drank with her before excusing himself.

"What about the arrangement?" A playful smile appeared on her lips as she watched him glance at her. "I remember giving you a pass, didn’t I?"

"And it doesn’t feel right to be rewarded after making you sleep in my car."

"I didn’t know you were a mild masochist for wanting punishments."

Haines paused, setting the bottle aside before meeting her gaze. "It’s not that I seek punishment. However, I feel that I have responsibilities in this arrangement. And I don’t want to owe you."

"Oh." Grace rocked her head slightly, letting out a faint chuckle as her eyes dropped to the wine in her hand. A subtle smile curved her lips as she swirled the liquid. "I see."

Her short answer made his brows furrow in confusion. He watched as she took a long sip, then faced him with a smile.

"I think I’ve had a lot to drink tonight," she said. "After this glass, I’ll definitely crash in bed and get a good night’s rest."

She leaned a little closer to him. "You can stay if you want, but if not, don’t wash the glass. I don’t like mixed signals."

With that, another weak laugh escaped her as she finished the rest of her wine. Hissing in satisfaction, her smile widened before she pushed herself up. She dragged her feet away while Haines remained motionless in his seat.

They had only been here for ten minutes, yet she was already sending him away.

"I said something really stupid, didn’t I?" he asked, making her pause mid-step.

The corner of her lips curled before she looked back at him. "You did."

"Which part?"

"All of it."

"All I said was stupid?"

"That’s what I said." She nodded, strolling back and leaning on the table. Her eyes scanned him before a shallow chuckle escaped her lips. "See me no matter what time of day it is, and I won’t mind. But don’t see me just because you feel like you have to. I told you—I don’t like mixed signals."

A shallow breath escaped her as she shrugged. "For a second there, I thought I was making progress. Turns out... it’s just your sense of responsibility."

"Lock the door when you leave," she added gently. "I’m going to sleep."

With that, Grace slowly turned to leave, but she stopped when he suddenly grabbed her arm. Raising a brow, she glanced back at him.

"I’m sorry," he said, his expression unreadable. "It’s not my intention to upset you."

"But it still upset me, didn’t it?" She shrugged. "Also, are you apologizing because you mean it? Or because you feel like you have to?"

A moment of silence fell between them as they looked at each other. Grace didn’t seem upset—not with that faint smile on her face—but he knew she was. He could feel it deep in his bones, as if his heart could hear hers screaming.

"Both," he answered truthfully. "I’m not sure if that’s another insensitive answer, but it’s the truth."

Grace pressed her lips into a thin line, studying his face. A moment later, a defeated sigh escaped her, and she nodded in understanding. She wasn’t the most patient person in the world, but she had to remind herself—Haines had been single all his life. How would he know any better?

"That’s all I wanted," she said approvingly. "I forgive you."

Haines heaved a sigh of relief as he carefully released her arm. "Will you sit now?"

"No." She shook her head, her bright smile returning. "I have another idea in mind."

"What... is it?" Haines leaned back slightly. "I’m not going to bed with you."

"I am not Penny, but we both don’t want to end up in jail," she quipped. "But since you upset me, you need to make me happy again."

With that, Grace grabbed the bottle of wine and her empty glass. She then jerked her chin toward his wine glass, signaling for him to pick it up.

"And the snacks too," she added as she turned. "Follow me."

Deep lines formed between Haines’ brows as he hesitated, but he still picked up the plate and his wine glass. When he walked into the living area, he saw her setting the bottle and glass on the small table.

"Just put everything there," Grace waved a hand as she walked away. "I’ll be back."

"What is she going to do?" he wondered to himself, but he still placed his glass and the snacks on the table. While waiting, he sat on the couch, resting his arms on his legs, trying to figure out why he was still here.

But before he could find an answer, Grace emerged from another room—this time, holding a blanket and a pillow. Before he could even ask, she tossed one at him, and he caught it instantly.

"Grace, I am not—" Haines trailed off as she jumped onto the couch beside him, leaning against him.

"Let’s cuddle."

"Would my honesty right now be deemed stupid?"

"No, but your honesty wouldn’t matter." She shoved another pillow at him. "Because this is your punishment. I want to cuddle, and I will not touch you anywhere."

Grace raised her hand. "I promise. But if you want to brush your hand against me, you can. Otherwise, stay still."

She giggled, happily reaching for the remote. She turned on the television before stretching his arm over the couch’s headrest so she could lean against him, only to get his hand again and place it around her. Snuggling up, her eyes squinted into thin lines.

Haines, on the other hand, sat frozen. He had no idea how things had escalated to this. Slowly, he turned his head to look at her—only to find her grinning at him, wrapped snugly in the fluffy blanket.

"..."