When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 364

Carrie barely got a word out before Nelly cut her off and started slicing up the cake she’d just ordered. With her attention shifting to the dessert, Carrie completely forgot what she was saying. “I could totally finish it myself…” she mumbled, even though her appetite was always bigger than her stomach. She was already full, but she still wanted just one more bite.

Teddy grinned, sliding a big strawberry parfait in front of Jessie. “This is their most popular dessert. I asked for the biggest one they had.”

Jessie kept her head down, cheeks burning. “Thank you.”

Teddy noticed something was off and glanced at Nelly. “Is everything okay?”

Nelly jumped in before Jessie could answer. “I was just telling Dr. Morton how gorgeous she looks today. She got a little shy.”

Teddy laughed, relaxing. “So that’s why your face is so red.”

Jessie froze and quickly covered her cheeks with her hands. “Is it really that obvious?”

“It’s super obvious!” Carrie piped up, still eating and loving the drama.

Nelly shot her a look, silently telling her to behave.

“It’s a little obvious,” Teddy agreed. He leaned in, looking at Jessie more closely. “Nelly’s right. You really do look great today. I’m just so used to seeing you in your lab coat, you know? I have to admit, seeing you like this makes me a bit nervous.”

When they finished dessert, Teddy went to pay the bill. It was still early, so Jessie suggested they all go sing karaoke.

Nelly glanced at Carrie, who looked so excited. Carrie had never done this kind of thing with adults before. Brody hardly ever took her out, and even when he did, it was always boring business stuff with people she didn’t like. Mom’s friends were way more interesting.

Carrie really wanted to go, so Nelly agreed. She was a little worried about Jessie anyway and didn’t want to leave her alone.

In the private karaoke room, while Teddy took Carrie out to pick a fruit platter, Jessie finally confessed her plan to Nelly. She wanted to find out if Teddy was actually Casey. If he took off the ring on his right index finger and there was a tattoo underneath, that would be all the proof she needed. But Teddy had denied it so many times, and if he was hiding something, there’s no way he’d just take the ring off if she asked.

So Jessie needed Nelly’s help. If they could somehow get the ring dirty, Teddy would have to take it off and clean it, and then the truth would come out.