It would be a lie to say he wasn't surprised.

Gordon couldn't help but wonder-just how many more sides did this woman have that he'd never seen?

She was like an uncut emerald, rough and unassuming on the outside, hiding a brilliance no one could predict until the stone was finally split open.

Caitlin seemed utterly smitten with the flavor of Le Palais des Thés' tea. She lifted her cup for another slow sip. "I guess I have a pretty sensitive palate, and I really love tea, so I can usually remember the taste after just one try."

"That's impressive. I have to taste a tea several times before I can remember its flavor and type." Gordon smiled, then gestured to the tiered tray nearby. "The pastries here are great too-want to try one?"

Caitlin picked up a piece of lotus flower cake.

She ate with complete ease-no affectation, no self-consciousness. In fact, she managed to bite off nearly half the piece in one go, cheeks adorably puffed out like a chipmunk. It was an image so at odds with her usually cool, reserved demeanor that it was hard not to find her endearing. There was something incredibly charming about it.

Gordon took a sip of his tea, as if struck by a thought. "Catie, do you have a sweet tooth?"

"Absolutely. I love sweets." Caitlin nodded without hesitation.

She was powerless to resist desserts; even her coffee had to come loaded with sugar.

Hearing this, Gordon grabbed his phone and scanned the menu, ordering the café's best-selling peach mousse and a chocolate Earl Grey tart.

He'd originally assumed Phyllis was a man, so he'd ordered everything low-sugar, nothing too sweet. He remembered reading somewhere that most women had a weakness for sweets. But Caitlin was never one to play by the rules, so he'd decided to just ask. Once he found out she loved sweets, he put in another order. The new desserts arrived quickly, delivered with a flourish.

Caitlin's attention was instantly drawn. She sampled one, then another, moving from plate to plate.

While she was distracted tasting the sweets, Gordon started sorting the chess pieces, dropping each into its matching container.

By the time Caitlin had tasted her fill, Gordon was done setting up the board.

He glanced at her, lips quirking slightly. "Ready to begin, Catie?"

Caitlin gave a small nod. "Black goes first-you start."

In chess, the right to make the first move was always a big deal. The first player always had the advantage.

But Caitlin didn't care.

True masters never worry about who moves first.

"Alright then." Gordon smiled, dipping his head in acknowledgment. "I'll take you up on that."

He picked up a piece and placed it on the board.

He chose the star point-a classic opening move in chess, giving control over the outer area and setting up for future development. Almost everyone who went first started there.

Gordon was no exception.

Caitlin immediately answered, placing her white piece right next to his.

Gordon raised an eyebrow.

What was she doing?

Normally, the second player would put their piece further away, staking out more territory for future moves. By following so closely, she risked getting boxed in with nowhere to go.

He had to admit-Caitlin's moves were always a little...unorthodox.

But that was just like her.

She always made the unexpected move, always left people guessing.

Gordon narrowed his eyes in concentration, then placed his next piece on Caitlin's right.

Unperturbed, Caitlin responded by placing another piece right beside his.

Back and forth, they played.

Before long, the white pieces began losing ground.

In the blink of an eye, Gordon had captured three of Caitlin's pieces.

Yet she didn't seem fazed at all. Her face remained calm, almost serene, as she continued to play.

Gordon pressed his advantage, closing in.

It looked like Caitlin was about to be completely surrounded, her white pieces trapped with nowhere to run. Just as she seemed on the verge of defeat, Caitlin calmly placed a piece right in the center of the board—a move she hadn't used before.

In an instant, the entire game flipped.

What had seemed like certain defeat for Caitlin suddenly turned into a trap for Gordon-he was the one boxed in, with no way out.

Caitlin took a sip of tea, her lips curving into a subtle smile. "Thank you for the game."

Staring at the board, Gordon's eyes widened in disbelief.

Incredible.

Absolutely incredible.

Only now did he realize-all Caitlin's earlier moves had been a setup.

She'd only looked like she was on the defensive, when in reality, she had been luring him into her trap the whole time.

He was the one with nowhere to go, not Caitlin.

What a brilliant gambit.

Brilliant. Truly brilliant!

Though he'd lost, Gordon felt nothing but admiration. It was the kind of defeat that left him exhilarated.

For a long moment, he couldn't tear his eyes from the board. Finally, he looked up at Caitlin. "Catie, I admit defeat."

"Honestly, you're really good." Caitlin glanced at the clock on the wall, smiling.

"Most people can't last more than twenty minutes against me."

But Gordon had played for over two hours before a winner was decided.

That said everything about his skill.

Caitlin wasn't just being polite; she was stating a fact.

Gordon's lips curled into a genuine smile. He leaned back, eyes shining. "You're

the first person who's ever beaten me. Want to go another round?"