Chapter 21

"And you are?" Only then did Olivia realize something was amiss.

"It's going to be cold tonight. Here are Ms. Christian's jacket, blanket, and some food. Please give these to her." Edward stepped in front of Olivia, noting her stunned expression. He thrust the items into her hands and turned to leave. His job was simply to deliver them; he wasn't required to see Lily.

"Huh, you" Olivia snapped back to reality. He was tall, with long legs; he reached the elevator in three strides.

Olivia returned to the lab, carrying the items. She found Lily concentrating on her sample. "Delivery!" Olivia called from the doorway.

Lily, startled by the noise, turned to see Olivia carrying two large bags. "Didn't you go wash your face? Why is there a delivery? You're remarkably efficient!"

"What delivery service is this fast? I was only gone a few minutes," Lily exclaimed. "I didn't order anything. Your guardian angel delivered these."

Suddenly, Lily understood. Alexander had sent so many clothes and food late at night. He was so concerned about her. If he wasn't her guardian angel, then who was he?

"What guardian angel?" Lily didn't understand. She opened a bag, revealing her jacket and blanket. She instantly knew who they were from.

Hadn't Alexander said they wouldn't make their relationship public? Now he'd brazenly walked into her workplace. Even a brief visit risked encountering colleagues. "Where is he?" Lily asked, peering out.

"He's gone." Olivia, waving a hand, saw Lily's reaction confirming her suspicions. "So it was him?! Why so concerned? You act like he has three heads and six arms! He seemed perfectly ordinary. The fact that he cares and thinks of you makes him better than most men."

Lily pouted. "Incomparable." Having experienced the best, nothing else compared. "To compare Nate to Alex? Please, they're nothing alike." Disdain and anxiety filled Lily's face.

Olivia laughed. "Right, right, incomparable. Though I think he's a little ugly and awkward, he deserves credit for delivering food and clothes in the middle of the night." Lily was speechless.

She pictured Alexander's elegant demeanor, then Olivia's description of him as "ugly." Ugly and awkward? Was Liv describing Alex? Is something wrong with her eyes or her sense of aesthetics? "Olivia, is something wrong with your taste?"

Olivia didn't know what to say. "Lily, even if my terms were inappropriate, you can't attack me personally. Criticize other things, but my taste is excellent!" She thought of the man she'd just met and decided her assessment was accurate. Lily considered this. Perhaps everyone had different standards of beauty; she couldn't expect everyone to share her taste.

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