Tea <b>had </b>spilled from <b>the </b>cup<b>, </b>soalding Into the carpet and leaving a dark stain.
Tan nced <b>at </b>it and clicked his tongue.
“Hey man, don’t stress Charlotte’s not the kind of girl who jumps into things.
Sean stared nkly at the wet spot on the flone. His voice came out
hoarse.
“She really said yes?
Jan hesitated, then nodded.
<b>“</b><b>Yeah</b>… I mean, it was New Year’s Eve. She saw you with your little cousin—who said;
said you two were going to get a room. If it were me, I’d have snapped too, Maybe she said it tast to piss you off, or maybe she was drunk and talking nonsense. I wouldn’t <b>take </b>It too seriously ”
“I didn’t… Sean’s throat tightened. “I never said I was getting a room.”
“she did Same difference.”
There was a beat of silence.
Sean’s expression shifted, pulling himself back under control
“Do something for me,” he said quietly.
After work, Charlotte <b>had </b>just stepped out of the office when she spotted <b>a </b><b>white </b>Metaren parked not far away.
car</b>, scrolling through his phone like he was waiting <b>for </b>someone.
It was the end <b>of </b>the day, and he was standing by the entrance of the film, <b>clearly </b>waiting for her.
Charlotte wallond over just then,n looked up and spotted her
<b>With </b>a cheerful smile, he <b>headed </b>her way and called out, “There <b>you </b>are Lottie Finally off work”
“Hi, Jan. You looking for me?” She nced behind him. “Where’s Mia? Didn’t shee with you?”
“Nope, I’m solo <b>today</b><b>. </b>I needed to talk to you.”
“What about?”
–
“wanted to say sorry for New <b>Year’s </b>Eve. I wasn’t thinking straight when I invited Sean Totally my fault for ruining the night. I booked <b>a </b>dinner to make it up to <b>you</b>. Would <b>you </b>let me take you out?”
Chadotte frowned slightly.
“That’s not necessary, Tan 1nderstand. It’s over and done with. No need for dinner. I have ns tonight anyway.”
<b>“</b>ot? What ns?” he asked without thinking.
She had just made that <b>up </b><b>to </b>tom him down and hadn’t expected him to press.
“I’m meting up with some friends.”
“Guys or girls?”
Curlotte blinked “<b>Was </b><b>br </b>seriously asking that? It’s <b>not </b>like it was any of his business,” she thought.
They had known each other for years, <b>so </b>Charlotte couldn’t exactly snap at him. Instead, she kept a straight face and lied without missing <b>a </b>beat. “A mix of guys and
The momentncard there were guys involved, his mind shed with an image <b>of </b>Sean’s <b>boooding</b>, miserable face.
Helud to gel ione indo for his <b>buddy</b>.
“Wait — you’ve got other guy friends besides me and Jordan? Howe I’ve <b>never </b>heard of them? What’s <b>his </b>name? What does he do? How old is he? Height? Wright<b>? </b><b>Is </b>he good–looking: Got <b>a </b>ploto!”
Charlotte stared at him.
n, what’s going on with you? You’r acting weird today.”
Tanughed awlowardly.
“‘in just looking out for you, <b>that’s </b><b>all</b>, we’re friends, right?”
???
She narrowed her eyes<b>, </b>calm and direct
“Did he send you?”
They both knew who “he” w
The momentn met Charlotte’s clear, piercing gate, he felt all his little schemes
Guiltly, he looked away.
“God,wyers are terrifying, he thought. Those eyes see right through everything.“he silently remarked.
“No… of course not. I just came to apologize. Nothing to do with anyone <b>else</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
charlotte didn’t press.
Tan pulled out a key and handed it over.
“Here my apology gill A small gesture. Please take it.”
She nced at the key, then at the white McLaren nearby.
Her voice was steady and cool.
*If I’m not mistaken, a McLaren P1 starts at over $1 million. That’s a bit much for a New Year’s apology, Isn’t it?”
Jandidn’t even blink
andidn‘
“Nah Mia’s been going on and on about that night like she’s some kind of human rm clock Trust me, it’s worth it just to get her to stop. I know you don’t need it, but do mra favor and take it anyway Save me the headache.”
Charlotte’s expression didn’t change. Her <b>eyes </b>remained calm, clear, and bright as she lo
looked at him.
“Lan, just be honest. Did Sean buy this car? It he did, tell him I don’t want it. We’ve broken up. It’s time to let go for real. No more back and forth, no more <b>mixed </b>