Chapter 341
“It does.” I curled my lips, mustering all my courage, “If it’s the latter, I’m worried… maybe you’ve fallen for me?
He chuckled, “Worried? You think me liking you would keep you up at night?”
“Pretty much.” I spoke openly, “You’ve got a good personality, come from a good family, and you’re loyal. Being liked by someone like you, it’s hard not to feel something. But that’s exactly why we can’t be.”
“Can’t be?”
“Yeah, can’t be.”
I took a deep breath, looking him straight in the eye, “I’m not a starry–eyed girl anymore. I can’t knowingly walk into a situation that’s doomed from the start. Your loyalty, to me, is a flaw.”
“You helped me out earlier, and I’ll deal with your parents for you. Beyond that, let’s both keep our heads.”
That night, after I got ready for bed in the guest room Ramona had set up, I lay there, wide awake.
What did Gregory say to me during the day?
He said, “Jane, don’t think you’re the only one who’s scared.”
Before I could ponder what he meant, he shoved me into his car and had his driver take me back.
As I was about to turn off the light, my phone on the nightstand buzzed. It was Gregory.
I frowned, answering, “Hello?”
His voice, lazy as usual, came through, “Come out. Hurry, it’s freezing.”
“Okay.”
I got out of bed, grabbed a long down coat, and headed out while zipping it up.
Without looking ahead, I bumped into a solid chest, stumbling back two steps before I looked up.
Under the streetlight, Gregory leaned against his car, wincing from the collision, and grumbled, “So, being called out in the middle of the night has you looking to end it all?”
He smelled faintly of alcohol.
I touched my nose. “Just wasn’t watching where I was going… You do realize it’s the middle of the night, right? What’s up?”
“Jane.” His gaze fixed on me, a subtle turmoil in his eyes, his voice cold, “I’m setting New Year’s Day as the deadline. If there’s no word from her by then, I’ll stop waiting.”
1 froze. I knew what his “stop waiting” meant.
My nails dug into my palm, my whole being felt lost, awkward, and confused…
After a moment, I looked at him hesitantly, “But you said you’d never give up on her… Gregory!”
Suddenly, he pulled me into his embrace, the scent of mint mixing with the cold night air, enveloping my senses.
“Consider this a hug borrowed in advance.”
Yet, he was quick to let go, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with a serious look, his words clear and profound, “I wasn’t sure before, but seeing you with Bryant today, I couldn’t help it. I wanted to betray my original resolve.”
For the first time in front of him, I felt utterly out of my depth, a stark contrast to the embarrassment of being caught in compromising situations before.
Weird, confused, and it had been a long time.
I awkwardly stepped back, asking, “What makes you so sure I’d agree?”
“I’m confident about everything.”
Gregory turned to open the car door, handing me something.
Puzzled, I didn’t reach for it. “What’s this?“,
“Just had a late–night snack with friends.”
He seemed unexpectedly uncomfortable, “They were packing orders for their girlfriends, the waiter messed up, and ended up with an extra. Your gain.”
“You… drunk or something?”
10:59 1
Chapter
I too wished to be lighthearted, but my senses urged me to stay composed, “You’re that sure there won’t be any news from her in the next few days?”
Though as I said it, I didn’t expect my words to be so prophetic.
His phone rang almost immediately.
Whatever was said on the other line made him stand up straight, the late–night snack nearly falling from his hand.
He asked, “Is the news reliable?”
Chapter 34