Chapter 54

Chapter 54:

What was he supposed to do with this little drunk troublemaker?

Just then, Carson entered, carrying a bowl of hangover remedy.

Ethan told him to set it on the table. He would wait a moment before giving it to her—it was still hot, and he didn’t want her to burn herself.

Carson quietly left the room, sensing that Ethan planned to stay and look after Noelle himself.

After a while, Ethan sat on the edge of the bed and gently helped Noelle sit up, letting her lean against his shoulder. He picked up the bowl and tested the temperature. It was warm now—perfect.

“Here, drink this,” he said.

Noelle wrinkled her nose as she stared at the thick, dark liquid. She squinted at the bowl and slurred, “What… what is this p>

He smirked, his tone light and teasing. “It’s your favorite drink, Noey. Want a taste?” He brought the bowl closer to her lips.

Hearing that, Noelle leaned forward and took a sip straight from his hand. She blinked, surprised by the flavor.

“It’s sweet!” she giggled, her eyes dancing with mischief again.

𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘯

“Then have another,” Ethan said with a coaxing smile.

“You drink some too!” she insisted, pushing the bowl toward him like a child eager to share candy.

He glanced at the spot her lips had touched, then at the bowl. After a short pause, he leaned in and took a small sip without complaint.

They were sharing now. The same bowl. The same remedy.

“I’ve had mine,” he said, bringing the bowl back to her. “The rest is all yours p>

Noelle smiled and took the bowl in her hands, sipping until she had finished every last drop.

Ethan took the empty bowl from her and set it on the table, still letting her rest against him. “Is your head hurting p>

“Nope!” she chirped, shaking her head to prove it. Her soft hair brushed against the side of his neck as she moved.

The light touch sent a warm, ticklish jolt down his spine. It was like a small spark that slid under his skin and lingered there, quietly igniting something inside him.

Ethan’s gaze shifted, and he was about to say something—but just then, Noelle’s phone rang.

She picked it up and squinted at the screen, trying to make sense of the blur. Was it a spam message? Eventually, she gave up, went back to the home screen, and saw her wallpaper. Her eyes softened. She pulled the phone close and rubbed it against her cheek, her voice dreamy and low.

Ethan leaned closer, trying to catch her words.

“So handsome p>

He frowned and glanced at the screen. The wallpaper was a comic book character—a tall, cool-looking guy.

Ethan almost laughed, but there was an edge to it.

Seriously? She never complimented him. Not once. But here she was, cuddling her phone and swooning over a cartoon character?

His jaw tightened slightly. He placed the phone face-down on the bed. Then, with quiet intensity, he called her name. “Noelle Moss p>