As expected, the moment I picked up Michelle’s call, she started asking me toe home for a meal.
But, honestly, I knew the meal was just an excuse-she definitely had something else on her mind.
“Michelle, I’ve had your pancakes already, but I really can’t make it home right now. We’re rushing the project at the amusement park. I’m working day and night. I’lle when I get a break,” I turned her down, but still promised toe sometime.
“Ugh, Alvin’s something else, isn’t he? Pushing you so hard on a deadline. It’s not like the world’s ending. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!” Michelle pretended to be angry.
“Michelle, it’s not his fault. This project has been in the works for a long time,” I exined.
Business is business, and personal life is personal. Alvin never mixed the two-he didn’t make things difficult for me because of our rtionship.
“Alright then, workes first,” Michelle said, clearly disappointed, though she didn’t sound happy.
But there wasn’t much I could do. I really had work to focus on, and even if things calmed downter, I couldn’t just waltz into the Dolton family anytime I wanted anymore.
She would have to ept it eventually, after all the disappointments.
People part ways all the time. First, it was with my parents, then with Alvin, and now with the Dolton family.
When Myra and I were having breakfast, I didn’t see Josh.
“Wait, didn’t Josh say he’de with us to the amusement park? Why’d he leave early?” Myra mused.
I didn’t answer. Myra nudged me with her shoulder and said, “Josh really cares about you. Last night he made mee back to take care of you, said you’d been drinking. Did you drink with him?”
“No,” I replied, trying to keep it simple.
“Then how did he know you’d been drinking?” Myra was full of questions.
“He saw me,” I replied nonchntly.
“Oh, I see,” Myra said, looking at me as if trying to read something between the lines.
“You can stop looking. Josh and I are nothing,” I answered directly, preemptively shutting down any awkward questions.
Myra smiled. “You know, it doesn’t matter if you and Josh have something. I admire his looks, but it’s the same as admiring a celebrity. It’s harmless.”
She seemed pretty level-headed.
“Well, let’s just admire together, then,” I said, ending the topic. We finished breakfast quickly and headed to the amusement park.
Josh had already started working. Myra waved at him and said, “Josh, you’re early! Why didn’t you wait for us?”
“Just more convenient this way,” Josh replied, leaving Myra to stick her tongue out in mock annoyance.
We threw ourselves into work, making impressive progress.
By lunchtime, Myra was about to ce an order when a luxury car pulled up.
I recognized it immediately-it was Michelle’s.
Looks like she had something important to discuss with me. Since I wasn’t going to the Dolton family, she hade to find me herself.
“You go ahead and eat,” I said to Myra before heading toward Michelle.
She stepped out of the car, and the driver popped open the trunk, revealing several food containers.
“Zoe, I brought lunch for everyone,” Michelle’s words took me by surprise.
“Michelle, you really didn’t have to go through all that trouble,” I felt a bit embarrassed.
“You guys are always eating takeout, which is unhealthy and nd. Go call them over to get it,” Michelle gestured toward Josh and Myra.
Josh was still working, and Myra was busy on her phone, preparing to ce an order.
For some reason, I felt like Michelle’s gaze lingered on Josh for a moment.
“Myra, Michelle brought us lunch, so no need to order,” I called out to her.
Myra froze for a second, then joyfully ran over and bowed to Michelle, saying, “Thank you, this is so generous!”
That girl always knew how to make things amusing.
Michelleughed, “You like it? Well, I can bring it every day if you want.”
“No need, no need,” Myra graciously declined. “Just an asional treat will do.”