chapter450

The waitress's eyes sparkled. "Alright."

Lucinda stared, completely thrown off. What was Lydia up to? Changing her mind so easily?

"Miss, this is the mushroom soup," the waitress said as she swapped the bowls, sliding the one from Lydia's spot over to Lucinda.

Kylie grinned and said, "Well, that works out. Lydia's always so considerate, letting her sister have what she wants."

Lydia just smiled, lips curved. I just felt like trying a different flavor."

Cameron teased, "Yeah, and you just happened to make your sister's favorite available. What a coincidence."

To Cameron and Kylie, it was obvious Lydia was giving in to Lucinda, but being too shy to admit it.

Lucinda felt an odd frustration building inside her. She'd wanted to take Lydia's mushroom soup, but now that Lydia had handed it over so easily, it felt like she was just getting Lydia's leftovers. The bowl in front of her was something Lydia didn't even want. The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she got. But she was the one who asked for mushroom soup, so it was too late to regret it now.

Lydia picked up the pumpkin soup instead, leaning in to breathe in the steam, her eyes narrowing just a little. She was right-the mushroom soup had definitely been tampered with.

Connor had chosen the original flavor. Lydia leaned over and whispered, "Can I try yours?"

Without hesitating, Connor grabbed a clean bowl and poured some of his soup for her. Lydia lifted her spoon, took a tiny sip, and inhaled the aroma. Everything was normal.

"Which one do you like more?" Connor asked quietly.

"They're both good," Lydia answered.

Blake, watching this, grabbed another bowl and poured some of his own soup for her. "Here, try mine too."

Everyone at the table paused. The couple was sharing soup, but why was Blake jumping in?

He didn't care what anyone thought. He just wanted his little sister to try his favorite.

Lydia smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Blake. She tried his soup as well. It was perfectly fine. So only the mushroom flavor was suspicious. But why just that one?

Then it hit her. She narrowed her eyes. She loved mushrooms. Who knew her tastes so well, and who would bother to mess with the one flavor she was sure to pick?

Her gaze shifted to Lucinda. But Lucinda looked totally in the dark, sipping her soup with an expression full of distaste. Lydia knew exactly why. Lucinda was annoyed because she hadn't managed to snatch something away; she'd just gotten what Lydia didn't want.

Well, now she had a clue.

Connor seemed to notice something was up. He leaned closer and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Lydia replied.

After they'd eaten their fill, it was getting late, so everyone made their way back to the hotel. Chris was staying with his team at a different place so he left on his own. Before leaving Cameron and Kyle

promised to come cheer him on at the race the next day. Lucinda just rolled her eyes. It was just a silly car race. What was the big deal?

On the ride back, Lucinda suddenly felt her head grow heavy, her eyelids drooping.

She thought maybe it was just stuffy in the car, but she also felt strangely warm.

When they got to the hotel, Kylie and Cameron told everyone to head to bed early, Lydia went straight to her room and shut the door. Connor said goodnight and walked to kis

room with Blake. Their rooms were

right next to each other. It was obvious Blake was there to keep an obvious Blake eye on him. After sneaking into Lydia's room last night, Connor

wasn't about to try his luck again. Her parents were just down the hall, and if he got caught, they'd probably think he was bad news and refuse to let him marry Lydia. That was a risk he definitely wasn't willing to take.