Chelsea returned to the table, feigning nonchnce as she said, "Forget him. If he doesn''t know what''s good for him, we''ll drink by ourselves."


    Just then, a few good-looking waiters hurried over, all smiles and eagerness.


    "Ms. Rainsworth, since Jason refused to drink with youdies, we''d be honored to keep youpany. What do you say?"


    Chelsea swept them with a cool nce and waved them off. "Not a chance. I''m in no mood to be entertained tonight. Move along."


    The waiters withdrew, their faces burning in embarrassment.


    They simply couldn''t figure it out. What did Jason have that they didn''t? Why would Chelsea choose him over them?


    In the employee break room, they found Jason washing sses and immediately began to taunt him.


    "What a phony saint, acting all pure while you''re really itching totch on to her fortune."


    "Never thought a guy could be so calcting. You caught Ms. Rainsworth''s eye on purpose, didn''t you?"


    "Trust me, that trick might work for a minute. Once she thinks it over, you''re toast."


    "Yeah, you''ll be the one crying then."


    They took turns sneering at him.


    Jason kept his head down, performing his duties and ignoring every barb.


    Bored by his silence, they finally shut up and went off to chase other customers.


    Meanwhile, outside, Chelsea suddenly discovered that drinking no longer interested her.


    Cecilia still had to hurry back to the hospital to spend time with Queenie, so the friends drank only a little before saying their goodbyes.


    Chelsea watched Cecilia and Charlotte leave first, then headed outst herself.


    She was about to call her driver when she spotted Jason, just off shift, stepping onto the sidewalk.


    The sight of him yanked up every humiliating scene from inside the


    bar. Sh


    slipped her phone back into


    her purse, clicked her heels, and


    strode toward him.


    "Jason!"


    The sweet yet furious voice made Jason''s heart jolt. Following the sound, he saw Chelsea marching toward him, eyes zing.


    He froze in surprise.


    Anger lit up Chelsea''s lovely features. It was unforgettable.


    While Jason was still dazed, she had already closed the distance, demanding an answer. "Why did you turn me down?"


    It took him a moment to gather himself. Aplicated light


    flickered in his eyes before heel


    ,"I


    only work here part-time. I''m not like the other staff."


    He worked to make ends meet, but he still had his pride.


    Chelsea wasn''t the only patron who''d asked him to drink; other


    wealthy women had admired bl


    looks and even offered money for him to be their boyfriend.


    He had turned every one of them down.


    "It''s just one drink. You''re overthinking it," Chelsea frowned, trying to exin.


    Honestly, I''m not that kind of woman.


    Jason looked at her solemnly. "From where I stand, there''s no difference."


    Chelsea could hardly believe someone could be this old-fashioned in this day and age; she was genuinely astonished.


    Unwilling to yield, she lifted her hand.


    Jason''s brow twitched. He thought she was about to p him, but her fingers suddenly pinched his cheeks.


    "Let me see what makes you so different."


    She was, in fact, slightly tipsy. If she were sober, she would never have dared to


    do something like this.


    Jason went rigid. His cheeks flushed bright red.