Reba was a lightweight. Two sses of 3-8% fruit wine would make her tipsy, and three <i>or </i>four would knock her out. Tonight, she’d already had four strong shots. If she kept going, trouble was inevitable.
“I’ve checked it,” Jeffrey said as he handed her a full ss of water. His long fingers glinted against the crystal ss, strangely maic. “Go ahead and drink.”
Reba didn’t hesitate; she took the ss and downed it in one go.
Watching her, Jeffrey’s eyes darkened. She’d drunk whatever was handed to her without hesitation. He wasn’t sure
whether to be moved by her trust or worried by her carelessness.
“All done,” Reba announced, mming the ss down. She was so drunk now she couldn’t tell booze from water.
Jeffrey went along with her, replying softly, “Mm.”
“Can I go now?” Reba asked, totally unaware that it was just the two of them left in the private room.
Jeffrey casually grabbed her bag and then slipped his arm around her drunken body. “I’ll take you.”
Reba turned him down without a second thought. “No.” That was her truest feeling; she wanted to avoid any unnecessary drama with him.
“If you go out like this, trust me, something’s bound to happen,” Jeffrey said, lifting her as she leaned into his chest. “If you get hit by a car, whose fault is it–the driver’s or yours?”
Reba’s mind spun as Jeffrey lifted her. Her thoughts went nk, her head grew heavy, and her eyelids drooped. Alcohol numbed her limbs, and though she tried to reach out, her hand fell weakly each time.
Seeing her like this, Jeffrey felt a rare wave of regret. He really shouldn’t have let her drink that fourth shot.
Jason watched everything unfold from the corner. After confirming that Reba really was Jeffrey’s soon–to–be ex–wife, he wisely kept his distance and didn’t say a word.
Once they were outside the hotel, Jeffrey carried Reba toward his car.
Before they could meet up with Gregory, who was still in the car, a figure suddenly rushed out from the shadows and headed straight for them. “Reba!”
Jeffrey stopped in his tracks.
Jeffrey just shotn an emotionless look and walked straight past.
didn’t </b><b>think </b><b>twice</b>. Jeffrey was Samuel’s father, so it made sense.
Gregory, nked by two bodyguards, stepped in just in time to blockn’s way. “Our boss will make sure Ms. Jensen gets home safely. You don’t have to trouble yourself, Mr. Yeats.”
But Gregory and the bodyguards weren’t pushovers. After several attempts,n still couldn’t get past them.
“Messing around with Andrea while trying to impress Reba,”n called out loudly. “Mr. Hanson, your scumbag skills are next–level. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Jeffrey stopped in his tracks and gaven a cool sidelong look.
“I know you like Reba,” Jeffrey said. “I don’t know what story you told her so she wouldn’t suspect your feelings, but I know you’re into her.”
Jeffrey enunciated each word, “I mean romantic love.”
“Calling what we have ‘romantic love‘ sells us short,”n said, stepping close. He nced at Reba, eyes closed in Jeffrey’s arms. “What connects me, her, and Jessica goes beyond anything else in this world.”
Jeffrey’s gaze bore into him. Normally, in a scene like this,n would just admit he liked Reba, just to get under Jeffrey’s skin.
“You can run your mouth all you want, but you don’t even have the guts to admit how you really feel,” Jeffrey threw back.
“You’ve got guts,”n sneered, his voice full of irony. “Even while you’re with her, you’ve still got time to hit on other
women.”
Jeffrey’s eyes grew darker, but he didn’t bother correctingn’s usation, which wasn’t even true.
“You know she can’t stand <i>you</i>,”n said, his tone turning serious. “Tomorrow morning, when she finds out it was you who took her home, she’ll just hate you even more for it.”
“A little more hate isn’t going <i>to </i>make a difference,” Jeffrey said coolly, carrying Reba to the car.
Seeing the situation was locked and the bodyguards alert,n climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up, making it clear he wasn’t going anywhere,
Gregory nced back at Jeffrey in the backseat, instinctively asking, “Boss?”
“Take us to Maple Garden,” Jeffrey said, settling Reba into a morefortable position. His tone was casual, almost bored. “If he wants <i>to </i>ride along, let him. The car’s big enough. I don’t mind picking up another mutt.”
illegal just to shut him up,‘ he thought.
The car moved on, andn kept his eyes on the rearview mirror, watching for any sign that Jeffrey might make a move on Reba. As long as Jeffrey kept his hands to himself,n could rx a little.
After a forty–minute drive, they finally pulled up to Maple Garden.
Jeffrey had just lifted Reba from the car and was heading upstairs whenn stepped in front of him, a faint smile on his
lips.
to </i>me.”
Jeffrey frowned a little bit.
Gregory, picking up on Jeffrey’s unspoken signal, took out the phone. When he saw the caller ID, he hesitated before announcing, “It’s Ms. Scott.”
“Answer it,” Jeffrey said, his voice t.
Reba?‘ he wondered.
Gregory answered, lowered the volume, and held the phone to Jeffrey’s ear. As the call connected, Andrea’s voice came through, soft and a bit pleading. “Jeffrey, why haven’t youe back? Is work keeping you that busy?”
“Reba’s drunk, and Samuel’s home alone,” Jeffrey said honestly.
“Then take care of her,” Andrea replied, understanding what it meant for him to be upfront with her. She didn’t make a
fuss. “I can handle myself.”
Jeffrey’s voice dropped to a low rumble. “Alright. I’ll spend the whole day with you tomorrow.”
Andrea replied, “Okay.”
As soon as the call ended, Jeffrey carried Reba toward the elevator, leavingn standing there, totally thrown off.
For the first time,n felt his mind freeze. ‘Wait, isn’t Andrea supposed to throw a fit? Be dramatic or act pitiful to reel Jeffrey back? But now, one line about spending tomorrow together, and she’s fine? Seriously?‘ he thought.
13:16
Sept
<b>Chapter </b><b>50 </b>