Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 847

Agnes blushed as her the owner complimented her, managing a shy, "Thanks, sir."

"Going for the signature setting today?" he asked.

She nodded.

Out of the blue, he queried, "And what about your boyfriend?"

Agnes was about to clarify that Ryder was not her boyfriend, but Ryder had already spoken up: "Same as hers will be fine."

"Coming right up!" the owner called out cheerfully, disappearing into the kitchen.

Agnes rolled her eyes. What was the point, explanations hardly seemed to matter.

Pouring Ryder a cup of water, Agnes said, "Here, have some warm water to soothe your stomach first."

"Thanks," Ryder replied, taking a sip.

The two sat across from each other at a cramped little table, waiting for their food.

Agnes felt a bit awkward being this close to Ryder.

Ryder, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease.

"Why are you so fond of the burgers from this place?" he asked after another sip of water.

"Because they're delicious. I could eat them a hundred times and never get tired," Agnes replied, feeling that opening up to Ryder about her personal life just didn't seem right at the moment. Ryder glanced at her but didn't press further.

Soon enough, their food arrived, along with a couple of tasty side dishes on the house.

Agnes couldn't wait - she dove in with her spoon, taking a huge gulp of the burger and exclaimed, "That's the taste I've missed for so many years. It's like fulfilling a dream with every bite." The burger was just as delicious as it had been four years ago.

Agnes devoured her portion, savoring every last bite of the burger.

Ryder, however, didn't seem to have much appetite and only managed a few bites of the burger.

Looking up, Agnes asked, "Not to your liking?"

"I'm not that hungry," Ryder replied.

Agnes frowned. "But you said you were starved and insisted on the burger."

Ryder's stomach felt like it was being twisted by a knife. Eating was the last thing he wanted to do, even drinking water felt like swallowing stones. He forced a few mouthfuls down before he couldn't take any

more.

Yet, Ryder kept up appearances.

"This is such a waste," Agnes said, watching him.

Ryder picked up his burger and tried eating a bit more. Seeing Ryder grimace with every bite, Agnes guessed the flavor just wasn't to his taste.

"You don't have to force yourself. What do you feel like eating? I'll go get it," Agnes offered.

Ryder thought for a moment. "Let's just walk around outside, see if something catches my eye."

Agnes agreed, considering Ryder had hardly eaten anything.

Leaving the burger shop, they wandered from one eatery to the next.

Ryder seemed mildly interested in everything but ended up buying and not eating.

In the end, it was Agnes who felt guilty about the waste and finished off his leftovers.

So, as they strolled along, her belly grew uncomfortably full, her hands laden with skewers of grilled treats.

Finally, Agnes couldn't take it anymore.

Pleading with Ryder, she said, "Dude, if you don't want to eat, please stop buying stuff. I end up eating it all, and look at my stomach-it's like I'm three months pregnant with twins."

Ryder couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her, "Alright, enough is enough, let's head home."