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Catherine’s eyes lingered on Branden, her curiosity piqued by the revelation that he, who was supposedly unable to handle spicy food, was now eating barbecue drenched in the hottest sauce available. She couldn’t quite figure him out.
Branden didn’t seem perturbed by Triston’s loud exclamation, and as he placed another piece of meat in his mouth, he finally looked up, meeting Triston’s gaze with his usual composed expression. “It’s just barbecue,” he said nonchalantly, his voice calm but with a hint of humor.
Triston, still standing in disbelief, stared at Branden for a moment before turning his attention to the woman sitting across from him. His eyes narrowed with curiosity, trying to get a glimpse of her face. “I didn’t expect to find you here, Branden, let alone eating something so… ordinary,” Triston said with a teasing grin, finally addressing the elephant in the room.
Catherine, still slightly confused by Branden’s behavior, didn’t feel the need to respond. She had seen people like Triston before—charming, playful, and used to getting their way. However, there was something about his demeanor that she found somewhat irksome. Instead, she turned her attention back to her food, her focus returning to the spicy barbecue that had started to awaken her senses.
Branden, however, didn’t seem to mind Triston’s sudden intrusion. He merely leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Sometimes, even I enjoy the simplest things,” he said, his tone almost dismissive of the grand expectations others had of him.
Triston, still not completely satisfied, took a few steps closer to the table, intrigued by the unusual pairing. “Well, well, you surprise me. But I’m curious—who’s the lovely lady with you?” he asked, gesturing to Catherine with an inquisitive look in his eyes.
Branden didn’t immediately answer. His gaze flickered briefly toward Catherine, as if silently asking her if she was okay with his response. She, in turn, gave a slight nod, signaling that she was fine with whatever he chose to say.
“Her name’s Catherine,” Branden finally replied, his voice smooth, but there was a glint in his eyes that suggested he wasn’t about to offer more information than necessary.
Triston raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Catherine, huh? You seem… different. Not quite like the type who’d typically accompany someone like Branden.” His words were lightly teasing, but there was no malice in them.
Catherine remained silent, her eyes slightly narrowed as she observed the interaction. She wasn’t particularly fond of being the subject of conversation, especially with someone like Triston. She preferred to let the words slip by without comment, focusing on her meal.
After a moment of awkward silence, Triston shifted his attention back to Branden. “So, are you planning on introducing her to the rest of the guys?” he asked, clearly not willing to give up so easily.
Branden, ever the composed figure, simply shook his head. “We’re just here to enjoy some barbecue,” he said, his tone firm yet polite, clearly indicating that he wasn’t about to entertain any further inquiries.
Triston, sensing the hint, chuckled softly. “I get it, I get it. Well, I’ll let you enjoy your meal. Don’t want to disturb the VIPs too much, right?” He shot a glance toward Paxton, who had remained stoic throughout the exchange, and then turned to leave, though he couldn’t help but cast one last curious glance at Catherine before walking back to his table.
As Triston walked away, Branden’s gaze remained fixed on the table, the faint smile still on his lips. He didn’t seem bothered by the encounter at all, almost as if it were just another interruption in his day.
Catherine, now left alone with him again, took a deep breath. “That was… interesting,” she said, her voice laced with dry humor.
Branden glanced at her, his expression still unreadable. “It’s just Triston. He has a tendency to be curious about everything,” he replied, as though it were the most mundane thing in the world.
Catherine smirked. “And you let him approach you like that? Doesn’t seem like your style.”
Branden’s smile faltered slightly before he leaned forward, his tone dropping a little lower. “Sometimes, it’s easier to let people assume things than to correct them.”
Catherine raised an eyebrow at him, intrigued. “Is that so?”
Branden met her gaze with a quiet intensity. “It’s a strategy. People are more willing to accept what they think they know rather than the truth.”
Catherine studied him for a moment, the playful banter from earlier fading into a more contemplative silence. She didn’t know if she entirely agreed with his approach, but she couldn’t deny that it worked for him.
As they resumed their meal, the hum of conversation from the other tables slowly faded into the background. Catherine couldn’t help but feel that, for the first time in a while, she was actually enjoying herself. The food was great, the atmosphere relaxed, and for once, she felt like she could let her guard down just a little bit.