Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1227

Pearson Ham couldn't quite put a name to what he was feeling. It was a tangled mess of emotions that left him restless and unsure.

Across the table, Walter Wilson seemed to notice Pearson watching him. He glanced up, his eyes cool, meeting Pearson's gaze head-on. Neither of them looked away. For a moment, it was just the two of them, silent, sizing each other up. Walter lifted an eyebrow, a subtle hint that he’d picked up on something strange about Pearson.

Dinner moved along smoothly. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, laughter and conversation filling the air. When most of the food was gone, Audrey Williams and a few other girls excused themselves to the restroom to fix their makeup.

As soon as the girls left, Pearson seized the opportunity. He leaned forward, his tone polite but direct. “Mr. Wilson, are you and Audrey together?”

Walter didn’t answer right away. Instead, he asked, “Why do you want to know?”

Pearson wasn’t thrown off by Walter’s indifference. He kept his voice honest. “I’m just curious.”

Walter studied him for a second, then asked, “Do you like her?”

Pearson didn’t hesitate. “I want to date her.”

Walter didn’t look surprised. His face stayed carefully blank as he pressed further. “You barely know her. You’ve been acquainted for what, a few days? Isn’t that a little soon?”

Pearson held his gaze, his expression steady and sincere. “There are all kinds of love. Falling for someone at first sight is one of them. I just need a yes or no, Mr. Wilson.”

Walter watched him quietly, lips pressed together as if weighing his response. After a few seconds, he spoke, calm and matter-of-fact. “I’m not, but you still don’t stand a chance.”

“Why not?” Pearson kept his voice even, unruffled by Walter’s bluntness.

Walter shrugged slightly, his tone certain. “You’re not her type. And her family wouldn’t approve of you.”

Audrey was the Williams family’s princess, after all. Even Dennis Williams went out of his way to spoil Lillian. There was no way her family would let her date some kid who hadn’t even graduated yet.

Walter thought back to seeing Pearson and Audrey together outside the university gates. No matter how he looked at it, they just didn’t seem to fit. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.

Pearson’s frown deepened. He clearly didn’t want to accept that.

He opened his mouth to argue, but the sound of footsteps in the hallway made him pause.

Audrey and the other girls were back.

Pearson swallowed his words and sat back.

When Audrey walked in, she didn’t notice the tension lingering in the air. She flashed a bright smile at Walter. “Walter, I think we’re about done here. Are you guys ready to go?”

Walter tore his gaze away from Pearson, picked up a damp towel, and wiped his hands slowly before answering. “Yeah, let’s head out.”

He stood up and picked up Audrey’s bag, handing it to her with an easy, thoughtful gesture that made it clear their relationship was anything but ordinary.