Chapter 146 The Words That Shook Her
Chapter 146 The Words That Shook Her
He was going mad with the urge to see her.
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They had already agreed to meet after the New Year, and he knew that asking to see her now<b>–</b><b>so </b>suddenly -mighte off as abrupt, maybe even rming.
But even with all the self–control he prided himself on, he couldn’t hold back his longing.
After a moment’s hesitation, he finally typed with reverent fingers, “Le, which city is your hometown in?”
“Send me your location. I’lle find you.”
The chime of a new message made Lily grin as she rolled around in bed and eagerly opened their chat.
She thought it was going to be more of James’s worried messages–sweet, thoughtful, warm. She never imagined he’d say he wanted toe see her!
She was still staying at the Luke family estate. If a man suddenly showed up looking for her, wouldn’t that scare the elders out of their wits?
Lily bolted upright in bed, panic fluttering in her chest.
Afraid he might actually jump in the car and show up at her door, she scrambled to stop him. “I’m already in bed. I don’t want to go out tonight.”
“James, it’s gettingte. I’m going to sleep now. You should rest too.”
“Goodnight.”
James was already up, fully dressed, car keys in hand, ready to head out.
When her message came through, he finally realized–it was nearly midnight.
Showing up now really would be inappropriate.
But he still wanted to see her. Desperately.
There were still nearly twenty days left until the New Year. He couldn’t wait that long.
“Then I’lle see you tomorrow.”
After a beat, he added, pushing past his pride, “Can you send me your location? I’ll drive over first thing in the morning.”
Lily thought she’d already said goodnight, and that he wouldn’t message her again tonight.
She didn’t expect him <i>to </i>still be asking to meet.
She didn’t know why, but there was something tender in his words, something soft that made her heart race uncontrobly.
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Chapter 146 The Words That Shook Her
She was starting to feel like maybe she was overthinking it… maybe even being a little vain–but it almost seemed like James, the man who was famously anti–rtionship, kind of… liked her.
Just the thought sent heat rushing to her face and ears.
She pinched her earlobes hard, trying to cool down, but it didn’t help. Her heart pounded harder the more she thought about it, thumping so loudly it felt like it might break free from her chest.
The truth was, she wasn’t in another city at all. If James actually went to look for her, he’d find out she’d lied.
There was no way she could let hime tomorrow.
After several deep breaths, she finally responded, cheeks burning as she typed, “Didn’t we agree to meet after the New Year? You don’t need toe tomorrow.”
“I…”
Before she could finish, another message popped up.
“Le, I like you. I really want to see you. Can we meet tomorrow?”
He… liked her.
Lily was so startled she flung her phone aside.
James really did like her!
And she…
She pressed her hand over her racing heart.
Her feelings for John had once been deep–so deep she thought she could never fall for anyone else.
But talking to James made her feel… good. Safe. Warm.
Even though they’d never met in real life, she couldn’t help forming an attachment to him.
Before his confession, she’d tried not to overthink things, tried not to get her hopes up.
But now that he’d said it<i>—</i><i>he </i><i>liked </i><i>her</i>–it felt like clouds had finally parted, and she could see clearly the sparks that had quietly bloomed in her heart.
Maybe… maybe she kind of liked James too.
James had been eager for her to find a suitable partner so the elders of the Luke family would agree to their divorce.
She had even considered hiring a college student to pretend to be her boyfriend.
But the elders were kind, not stupid–they were sharp, thoughtful, and perceptive. Any phony act would be easy to see through. It would onlyplicate things and make it harder for James to draw a clean line.
If she really thought about it, no matter how promising Simon or any of the other guys James introduced
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Chapter 146 The Words That Shook Her
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her to were, or how convincing a fake boyfriend might seem–none of that would ever be as solid or real <b>as </b>starting something genuine with James himself.
And she did want to move forward. She wanted to give this a chance.
She didn’t care if he was balding or had a beer belly. As long as they met in person and still clicked, still shared the same values, she was willing to cherish him.
But… meeting tomorrow felt way too sudden. She wasn’t ready yet.
Still no reply.
James, normally soposed and self–assured, found himself feeling nervous–like a boy experiencing his first crush.
He gripped his phone tightly, eyes locked on the screen, waiting anxiously for her reply.
He was honestly terrified that he’de on too strong and scared her off.
But even so, he didn’t regret telling her how he felt.
If he wanted a future with her, he had to break through that wall of uncertainty eventually.
“Le…”
Just a few minutes had passed.
But for James, it felt like a lifetime.
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