After all of Jane Sampsonās clothes were hung up, James Black saw the battered lollipop at the bottom of the suitcase, the one she had mentioned in her Moments about taking back for the Great General to eat. James couldnāt help but let out a soft chuckle.
Jane had stayed in the bathroom for a long time, washing and drying her hair inside, and even after applying skincare products, she leisurely walked out.
James was no longer in the bedroom. Jane found him in the study, engrossed in a book.
Hearing her footsteps, James looked up towards the doorway, his gaze meeting hers.
Jane giggled and scampered into the room, standing opposite James and tilting her head to glance at the book in his hands. After a look, she didnāt understand what language it was in; it was all Greek to her, so she tilted her head back to its original position.
"Come here," James said, setting the book on the tabletop.
Jane shuffled forward a couple of steps, swung her long legs to hook a chair over, and plopped down before scooting the chair closer to Jamesās side.
"What book are you reading? Itās not one of those adult books you canāt be seen with, is it?" Jane reached out to flip through the book James had placed on the table, but it was just dense text, no pictures, and all in characters she couldnāt read. Sheepishly retracting her hand, under Jamesās watchful eye, she obediently placed her hands on her knees.
Russian, it was only natural Jane couldnāt understand.
James glanced at the woman by his side, who was quietly pouting, raised his hand to mess up her hair a bit, and felt her roots to make sure her hair was dry before withdrawing his hand.
"James, did you find out about my flight back home from Sister Tin?" Jane dragged her chair, propped her palms on the table like a little hamster, and rested her chin on the back of her hand, eyeing James Black with a particularly astute look.
"Yes," James nodded. Because he had inquired about Janeās recent schedule, whenever there were changes, Rock Bell would proactively inform him.
"Then you must also know that Iām going to see Sister Tinās husband tomorrow, right? And that Iām going to Smytheton the day after tomorrow?" Jane giggled, "Then you probably wonāt be joining me to Smytheton, will you?"
The schedule had a slight change, although it wasnāt much, Jane was unsure if James would still accompany her to Smytheton.
James lightly flicked his fingertip on Janeās forehead, "Do you want me to go, or would you prefer I didnāt?"
Jane blinked but didnāt immediately respond.
Honestly speaking, Jane really didnāt know how to answer.
On one hand, she hoped James would accompany her because sharing the stage with James Carter was a dream she had cherished for many, many years. This particular performance was extraordinarily meaningful to her; thus, she wanted James to be there to witness her realizing her dreams on stage.
But then again.
Truth be told, the thought of James being there, certainly fussing over this and that, made Jane feel like it might not be so appealing to bring along a patriarch.
Seeing Jane actually ponder seriously, her little face alternating between smiles and frustration, Jamesās expression soured.
"Is this question that difficult?" Jamesās voice turned cold. Seeing Jane actually nodding in response, his expression darkened.