My Golden Retriever Lover

Chapter 3 I've Grown Up

Clara was discussing weekend travel plans with her good friend, Eleanor Roberts.

Meanwhile, Jack finished blow-drying his hair and saw Clara sitting on the couch from a distance. She was tucked in a corner, her face lit up with a deep smile, her eyes sparkling under the soft yellow light, casting a serene and beautiful glow on her profile.

Over the years, Clara seemed unchanged. Her smile was always gentle and bright like the sun.

After finalizing their plans, Clara felt thirsty and got up to get some water from the fridge, noticing Jack behind her.

"Jack, are you done?" Clara asked.

"Yeah," Jack replied in his deep voice.

Clara was startled, thinking he might be coming down with a cold. She reached out to feel his forehead.

In a moment of unspoken understanding, as Clara reached up, Jack happened to lower his head. Their skin touched briefly, and Jack let out a soft grunt.

Clara sensed nothing was wrong.

Unaware of Jack's intentions, she absentmindedly grabbed a thermometer and placed it against his forehead to confirm her doubt.

Jack thoroughly enjoyed Clara taking care of him, though he didn't explain that he wasn't actually sick.

He hoped she would unconsciously get closer to him and initiate physical contact.

Maybe it was the quietness of the room that made Clara pause for a moment while holding the thermometer. She suddenly realized they were standing very close together. Jack was staring straight into her eyes, his gaze reflecting her own, creating a palpably intimate atmosphere.

Clara stepped back immediately, relieved to see the normal reading on the thermometer.

"Thank goodness, you're not running a fever," she said.

"I'm pretty robust, Clara. I don't get sick that easily," Jack replied proudly, blinking.

Clara didn't pursue the topic further, putting down the thermometer. She then remembered they hadn't had dinner yet and asked, "Jack, are you hungry?"

"Yes," Jack rubbed his slightly hollow stomach and obediently replied.

It was already past eight, and the rain outside had intensified without any sign of stopping.

Ordering takeouts now seemed risky. The slippery roads might cause it to arrive cold.

Clara didn't mind it when she lived alone, but with Jack staying over, it didn't feel right to serve him cold takeout on his first day.

However, Clara wasn't adept at cooking.

Clara felt a headache coming on, thinking that raising a child was not an easy task after all.

"Clara, do we have any pasta at home?" Jack suddenly asked.

"I'm not sure." Clara didn't cook much, usually ate at school, and ordered takeout occasionally when she was home. She didn't keep the ingredients stocked.

However, Ava sometimes visited Clara and cooked meals for her, so there might be leftover ingredients.

Clara opened the fridge. The bottom shelf was stocked with fresh vegetables and some instant food.

Jack leaned over and glanced inside. "These should be enough."

"Huh? Enough for what?" Clara questioned.

Jack took out two tomatoes and a packet of pasta, volunteering. "These will do for pasta."

"You're going to cook pasta for me?" Clara looked surprised.

"Yeah, Clara, I'm quite good at it." Jack carried the items into the kitchen, tidying up as he spoke, "Back when no one looked after me at home, I used to cook for myself."

Clara had heard some details about Jack's family situation from Ava. His mother had passed away early, and his father remarried. His stepmother treated him poorly. It was only after his grandfather intervened that Jack's life improved slightly.

Unfortunately, after his grandfather passed away, there was no one left to protect him.

Clara had met Jack's stepmother, who was arrogant, temperamental, and self-centered.

Ava disliked her intensely. She was nothing like Jack's gentle and well-bred biological mother. Ava had been cared for by Jack's mother during her pregnancy.

Therefore, when Clara brought Jack home, Ava specifically instructed her to treat Jack well, saying they were both children who had faced hardships.

Yet Clara felt she was more fortunate. Despite losing her parents early, they had loved her deeply. Later, Clara was fostered by Ava, who treated her like her own daughter and never let her suffer.

Therefore, looking at the well-behaved and thoughtful boy before her, Clara couldn't help but feel immense pity for him.

But now that Jack was under her custody, she was determined to treat him well.

Jack cooked with great seriousness, leaving Clara awkward by just standing there without help.

"Let me help you," Clara offered.

"No need, Clara," Jack replied, setting down what he was holding. He took Clara by the hand and led her to the couch, where he gently urged her to sit down. Leaning over, he spoke indulgently, "Rest for a bit. I'll be done soon."

With that, he returned to the kitchen.

Watching Jack bustling about in the kitchen, Clara had a strange feeling.

Why did it feel like Jack was taking care of her?

Before long, Jack emerged from the kitchen carrying two steaming plates of pasta, which he placed on the dining table, looking at Clara expectantly.

"Clara, dinner's ready."

Impressed by the beautifully presented pasta on the table, Clara sincerely exclaimed, "Jack, you're amazing!"

As Clara sat down, Jack immediately handed her a fork, showing his thoughtfulness.

"Clara, try it," Jack said, propping his chin on his hand, eagerly awaiting her reaction.

"Okay."

Clara picked up some pasta, blew on it, and took a bite. To her surprise, it tasted exceptionally good.

Clara gave him a thumbs-up, genuinely impressed. "It's delicious!"

Jack beamed with joy at Clara's praise, his eyes crinkling happily. "Then enjoy it to the fullest."

As Clara ate, she couldn't help but marvel. "With your handsome face and excellent cooking skills, you'll definitely charm many girls in the future."

Jack's smile froze for a moment, his gaze darkening slightly, his emotions unreadable.

"Clara, are you so desperate to push me away?"

"I'm not," Clara replied, wondering if she had caused him any misunderstanding.

"That's good to hear," Jack said, his mood lightening a bit. "I'll just cook for you."

"What?" Clara was focused on her meal and didn't catch the rest of Jack's statement.

"It's nothing." Jack shook his head, then looked at her seriously. "Clara, you're so thin. Eat more."

"I'm not as thin as you think I am." Clara felt awkward receiving his care and returned the concern. "You're still young and growing. Eat more and get all the nutrients you need."

Jack, handsome and obedient, received Clara's affectionate gesture of ruffling his hair gently. "Little Jack, you need to grow up fast!"

"Clara, I'm already grown up." Jack retorted, not fancying the idea of being treated like a child.

"But you're three years younger than me," she pointed out.

Jack didn't want to argue with her now, so he lowered his head and continued eating his pasta.

One day, he would let her see that he was already a tough guy, not an ignorant boy.