The Heart System

Chapter 92: Chapter 92

We grabbed the bags and headed up the steps. The moment we stepped inside, the smell hit—warm food, butter, herbs. The dining table was already packed: steaming bowls of pasta, roasted chicken glistening under the light, a salad that actually looked edible, and a few bottles of wine breathing beside the plates.

Jasmine and Tessa immediately went to greet Kim—cheek kisses, hugs, the usual cheerful noise that fills a quiet house fast.

I dropped the bags by the door.

”Let’s eat first,” Kim said. ”We can deal with the luggage later.”

”Yeah, I’m starving,” Jasmine groaned. ”Let me put the frozen stuff in the fridge first.”

”I’ll help,” I said.

”I’ll set the table,” Kim added, glancing upstairs. ”Tom! Get down here and greet our guests!”

A voice echoed from above. Tom leaned over the railing, phone pressed to his ear. ”Welcome! I’m on with my mom—be down in a sec!”

Jasmine and Tessa waved up at him before getting back to it. Tessa went to help Kim with plates while Jasmine and I started hauling frozen bags to the fridge.

My lower back protested with every step. After hours of sitting behind the wheel, every muscle ached.

Jasmine and I got to work stacking frozen food in the fridge. I stayed by the door, loading shelves, while she passed me stuff from the bags one by one.

”Here,” she said, handing over a pizza box. ”And another.”

”Got it.”

She crouched to grab another bag—black, smaller than the rest—and frowned. ”Huh. I don’t remember packing this one.”

My stomach dipped. Oh, shit. It had the dildo in it.

Before she could open it, I stepped in and snatched it gently from her hands. ”Ah, that’s mine,” I said quickly. ”Just... my stuff.”

Jasmine arched a brow. ”Your stuff?”

”Yeah,” I muttered, forcing a laugh. ”Toothbrush, charger, all that boring crap.”

She eyed me for a second longer, clearly unconvinced but not interested enough to push it. ”Uh-huh.”

We went back to unpacking like nothing happened. I shoved the last few frozen meals into the fridge and closed the door. When I looked over, Kim and Tessa had already finished setting the table—plates, glasses, and steaming dishes spread out neatly.

”Let’s eat,” I said, stretching my arms. ”I’m starving.”

They gathered around the table just as Tom came downstairs, phone finally tucked away. He dropped into a chair beside Kim with a tired grin.

”Sorry, Mom talks forever,” he said.

Kim just shook her head and poured everyone a glass of wine. ”She worries too much. Now eat before it gets cold.”

The first few minutes were all clinking cutlery and quiet groans of appreciation.

”God, this is good,” Tessa said through a mouthful. ”How long did this take you to make?”

”Couple of hours,” Kim replied. ”Traffic?”

”Don’t get me started,” I said. ”We hit a jam right outside the city. Thought we’d rot in that car.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes. ”He’s exaggerating. But yeah, it was bad.”

”Rain didn’t help either,” Tessa added. ”Felt like we were moving backward.”

Tom chuckled. ”Welcome to the coast roads.”

The table eased into warm chatter and laughter, the kind that comes easy when everyone’s just glad to finally stop moving.

Plates clinked and the smell of roasted meat and herbs filled the air. Kim had really gone all out—grilled chicken, buttery potatoes, a couple of salads, even some kind of creamy soup that made the whole place smell like comfort.

I took a sip of wine. Smooth, a little dry, but it hit just right after the long drive. Across from me, Jasmine leaned back in her chair, swirling her glass before taking a slow drink. Tessa had already gone for seconds, piling potatoes like she hadn’t eaten in a week.

”God, I needed this,” Jasmine said, sighing. ”My legs are numb from sitting so long.”

”Your legs?” I said. ”My ass went into hibernation halfway here.”

That got a laugh from everyone. Even Kim cracked a grin before setting her glass down. ”I heard something weird today,” she said. ”You guys saw that case on the news? The Karim guy?”

Jasmine perked up. ”Oh yeah. I’ve got alerts set up for it.”

Kim nodded. ”Well, apparently he told the cops the one who kidnapped him was a woman. About five foot two, maybe shorter.”

Jasmine frowned, fork paused mid-air. ”Yeah. I wonder if he is telling the truth.”

”That’s what they’re saying,” Kim said, shrugging. ”Crazy, right? I thought it was just some gang thing.”

”Maybe he’s lying,” I muttered. ”Wouldn’t be the first time some creep blamed a woman to save face.”

Tessa rolled her eyes. ”If it’s one of the girls he messed with, good for her. Guy was a walking lawsuit.”

Jasmine snorted, sipping her wine. ”Still wild, though. Imagine kidnapping that idiot.”

Tom leaned back, glass in hand. ”People snap. You never know what pushes them over.”

The rain started tapping against the windows, soft but steady, while everyone went back to eating—passing plates, sipping wine, trading stories about the drive and the weather. It felt like the world outside was miles away, just the six of us, the clatter of cutlery, and the warm hum of voices.

The rain had thickened into a curtain, fast and heavy. It drummed against the wide windows like fingertips on glass, scattering reflections of candlelight across the table. Outside, the trees bent with each gust of wind, their dark shapes swaying like restless ghosts. Inside, it was warm, with the smell of roasted chicken and wine still hanging in the air.

”Can you believe they don’t let us keep pets?” Kim said, half-pouting. ”Not even a cat. I wanted a damn turtle, and they refused it!”

Jasmine laughed, shaking her head. ”Yeah. A cat sounds nice.”

”Yeah,” I agreed. ”But hey, they are so needy.”

”As if you aren’t,” Jasmine replied with a wink, then I cleared my throat.

Their laughter mixed with the crackle of the fireplace, low and warm. I leaned back, took another sip of wine, and felt it buzz faintly in my chest. For the first time in a long time, everything felt calm. No quests, no stress—just rain, warmth, and good food.

When my plate was empty, I wiped my hands on a napkin and stood. ”Gonna grab a smoke,” I said, slipping the cigarette between my lips. ”This meal was just... wow.”

Kim smiled. ”Glad you liked it.”

The kitchen was only a few steps away—open plan, same light spilling in from the dining area. I leaned near the counter, flicked the lighter, and watched the flame dance before catching the tip. The first drag hit deep, easing something tight in my chest. I cracked the window open just enough for the smoke to escape. Rain rushed in with a hiss, the wind sharp, cold. Trees outside were thrashing like waves.

From where I stood, I could still see the others—Tom had joined them now, talking, laughing, Kim topping off everyone’s glass. Tessa’s voice rose and fell above the others, while Jasmine just smirked, chin on her hand.

I smoked until the cigarette burned low, watching outside for a bit, then flicked it out the window and shut it again, sealing the warmth back in.

When I turned, they’d already moved to the living room. The fire was going strong, filling the place with a soft glow that brushed against the walls and carpet. I walked over, sinking into the couch beside Jasmine. The cushions dipped slightly under my weight, the faint smell of her shampoo drifting close as the rain hammered the roof above us.

Kim clapped her hands, grin wide as she popped up from the couch. ”Alright, let’s wine up more.”

”Beer for me,” I said, sinking deeper into the cushions, legs kicked out. ”Wine’s not my deal.”

Tessa snorted, slumping against the armrest, her shoulder brushing mine as she shook her head. ”You’ve got that sad-ass detective vibe—smoking, staring out a rainy window, probably muttering some deep shit to yourself. It’s intense, dude.”

I let out a low chuckle, tipping the beer bottle in her direction. ”That’s a solid vibe, right?”

”Ehh, not really,” Jasmine piped up from the other end of the couch. ”Kinda brooding, but whatever floats your boat.”

”Hey, I’m into it,” Kim said, tossing me a wink as she sauntered to the fridge. ”Detectives are hot. All that mystery and grit.”

Tom, sprawled in the armchair, squinted at me like he was trying to crack a code. ”Hold up, man. Did you do something to your face? Swear you looked different last time I saw you.”

I shrugged, playing it off with a sip of beer. ”Just skincare. And, uh, keeping an eye on my weight. You know, staying sharp.”

Jasmine sighed, poking at her stomach. ”Yeah, I need to get on that. Kim, that dessert you made? Had me running an hour straight to burn it off.”

Kim strutted back, a cold beer in one hand, wine bottle swinging in the other. ”Girl, you gotta let yourself have cheat days. Live a little.” She handed me the beer, our fingers brushing for a second longer than they needed to, her eyes catching mine with a quick, knowing glint.

I leaned back, took a long pull from the bottle, and yawned wide. Early as it was, the day had me beat—driving all over town on those busted-ass roads that rattled the car like a tin can. This ride wasn’t built for that shit, and my back was screaming about it.

Then it hit me, like a notification nobody asked for:

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Quest Available

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Title: Easy Does It

Task: Have a foursome

Reward: 120 EXP

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Accept Quest? [Yes] [No]

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