Chapter 150
Jeremy
my was the first to break the silence. “Look, Curtis, you’ve got it all wrong, man. I was dropping off some stuff for Leanne. Her water heater was on the fritz, so I checked it.”
Curtis’ voice was frosty. “Since when did you become Mr. Fix-It? I thought you were all
about medical devices.”
“Electronics are all pretty similar,” Jeremy explained patiently. “The heater was fine, just a loose plug causing the safety switch to trip. I went ahead and replaced several other worn-out sockets while I was at it.”
If anything, his explanation had made matters worse. In Curtis’s mind, regardless of how noble the guise, a guy offering unsolicited help at a woman’s place always played toward the same hidden agenda.
A sneer flickered across Curtis’ eyes as he said, “You’re quite the helpful old classmate, aren’t you?”
Leanne caught the mocking tone and his discourtesy, pursing her lips in defense. “I asked him for help. What’s with the attitude?”
A fire seemed to churn inside Curtis’ chest. “Why wouldn’t you call me? It’s not like I’m miles away.”
Leanne gave him a perplexing look. “It’s been half an hour. Why haven’t you left?”
Curtis was momentarily speechless. That was a good question.
He stewed in his irritation, feeling uncomfortably caught between anger and helplessness, and then asked Jeremy with a restrained voice, “Are you done?”
“All set,” Jeremy replied, grabbing his jacket from the chair. “I should get going. It’s getting late, Leanne. Get some rest after your shower.
“Thanks, Jeremy. Drive safe,” Leanne said with gratitude.
As Jeremy and Leanne exchanged their easy goodbyes, juice coursing through his veins rather than blood.
– felt as if he had sour lemon
How could she let a grown man in her home at this hour? Wasn’t she worried about ulterior motives?
How long had she known Jeremy to trust him so implicitly?
As Jeremy walked past Curtis on his way out, he offered, “Come on, Curtis. Let’s head out together.”
Curtis didn’t budge, his gaze fixed on Leanne. “You go ahead. We have things to discuss.”
Jeremy hesitated, not out of jealousy or resentment but concern.
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Chapter 150
Curtis was a gentleman, unlikely to get physical, but Leanne always seemed to get the short end of the stick with him.
Curtis’ eyes shifted to Jeremy again, and his mouth curled into a cold smirk. “I just need to speak with my wife for a moment. What are you worried about?”
His emphasis on “my wife” was slow and deliberate, reminding Jeremy of his place.
Jeremy certainly understood. He didn’t want to make things awkward for Leanne..
Before he left, he said discreetly, “I’ll head down then. Call me if you need anything.”
Leanne felt guilty for Jeremy, who had only come to help and caught flak. “Sorry about that. Don’t mind him. He’s never been one to think of others.”
“It’s okay. I’ve known Curtis for years. I get him” Jeremy reassured her. “He’s just worried about you.”
“Worried about me? Please!” Leanne rolled her eyes internally.
Leanne bid Jeremy a safe trip, then turned back to Curtis, who had overheard everything with his good ears. “So, you’re going to talk smack about me openly now? Should I be flattered that you think I should hear this, or should I pretend I didn’t?”
Without a hint of guilt for being caught speaking ill, Leanne returned to her room and slammed the door, almost hitting Curtis in the face.
Curtis was left standing there, expression darker than a storm cloud.
Standing by, Jeremy cleared his throat. “Maybe we should head out together after all.”
Leanne had mastered a new dish, a beef stew that, after some practice, had won rave reviews from Joy and Selina.
She snapped a photo with a smile, proud of her culinary progress, and shared it on her Twitter.
Before she could even set her phone down, a message popped up.
Curtis commented, [Ease up on your own dishes. It isn’t doing your health any favors.]
Leanne was speechless.
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