“Got it.” Barry replied instantly.
Jeffrey just drove off, not even bothering to call his driver.
Reba still heard those guys praising her, but it was just <b>noise</b>, like her hearing was off. Everything around her sped up, and for a moment, she felt totally out of ce.
“Mrs. Hanson.” Barry stepped up quietly beside her, his voice low just for her ears.
Reba snapped out of it. When she saw it was Harry, her eyes stayed as calm as ever. “Is something wrong?”
Barry shot a look at the group of guys who were all watching him, weighed his words, and then said, “Mr. Hanson is on his <b>way</b><b>.</b>”
Reba paused for a heartbeat, tamped down her feelings, and asked coolly, “So what?”
“He seems kind of pissed,” Barry said.
Reba shrugged. “What does that have to do with me?”
Backed up by Reba, that lineup of pretty boys with both a wild side and a puppyish charm suddenly found their confidence. They broke out into talk without any filter.
“We’re just here to lift Reba’s spirits. Is Mr. Hanson really that stingy?”
“If he won’t even try to make Reba smile, now he’s got a problem with us stepping <b>in</b><b>?</b>”
“If I had someone as amazing as Reba for a girlfriend, I’d spoil her rotten. No way I’d ever let her be sad!”
“Reba, if you ever need anything, just call on me. I’ll be your confidant. Always here for you.”
Barry was speechless for a moment and thought, ‘Man, kids these days really have guts.
Reba nced over at Barry, brushing off her difort. “You heard that, right?”
“Yeah, got it.” Barry nodded, and then quietly slipped away.
He figured Reba would probably be fine–maybe just spend some alone time with Jeffrey behind closed <b>doors</b>. But as for those bold young guys, they had no idea who they messed with.
“If you spot any guying in with the guy from earlier, give me a heads–up, Reba said, already running all sorts of scenarios in her mind. She knew it was kind of a dumb n, but right now, it was the <b>only </b>shot she had.
Everyone chimed in at once, “You got it!”
About twenty minutester, Jeffrey showed up.
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Seeing Jeffrey manage to squeeze a forty–minute drive into just twenty, Barry hurried over and gave him the rundown. “Mrs. Hanson’s having a great time<b>. </b>Those young guys just can’t stop talking her up
Jeffrey tossed his car key to Barry, <b>who </b>grabbed it and quickly followed after him.
Jeffrey had that kind of presence that people just couldn’t ignore; even in a packed room, all eyes were drawn
to him.
“Reba, looks like the guy from before brought someone along,” one of the guys piped up, keeping Reba in the loop.
“Doesn’t matter. We’re here to have fun. Reba shrugged, grabbing her <b>weak </b>drink. She clinked sses with the others and tossed it back, with Jeffrey watching her every move.
sat
She downed three drinks fast. Right after the third, Jeffreye her, radiating that high–ss vibe, like he owned the <b>ce</b>. He stayed silent, but his presence could hush a whole room.
The smooth–talking pretty boys who’d been lively just moments ago suddenly quieted, shrinking into their seats. No one knew Jeffrey’s name, but one look at his sharp presence, polished looks, and designer suit told them he was powerful. No one wanted to mess with Jeffrey.
“Another round, Reba said, setting her ss down on the table.
The drinks were weak and the sses tiny, Reba could handle a few more.
Counting each sip, Reba knew Jeffrey’s controlling side would soon swoop in to take her ss away. That was exactly what she wanted. It’d give her the perfect excuse to pick a fight.
“Maybe you shouldn’t drink anymore, one of the guys whispered, intimidated by Jeffrey’s <b>aura</b>.
The rest quickly followed his lead. “Drinking too much thiste isn’t good for you, Reba. Maybe you should stop.”
Reba felt speechless.
Barry nced at the group, exasperated, and pointed them out to Jeffrey. “Mr. Hanson, they are just acting now. They said that they know Reba than you do.”
Jeffrey just raised an eyebrow, his voice cool and t. “Is that so?”
“Yeah, definitely, Barry said in a hurry.
The guys all shed awkward grins, scrambling to save face. “We just thought Reba seemed down, so we tossed out a few lines to cheer her up. No harm meant, sir.”
Barry blinked, thinking, “Talk about switching sides fast.
“I don’t mind. Keep going.” Jeffrey said as he pulled Reba closer,cing his fingers with hers. His voice was easy on the ears. “She’s been in a bit of a funktely.”
Everyone instinctively nced at Reba, a little uncertain how to react.
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Barry could barely process <b>than </b>“Mr. Hanson, isn’t it kinda messed up to let other guys sweet <b>talk </b>your ow
wife?”
Jeffrey remained perfectly calm. “No problem at all. Reba’s been downtely. If dropping some cash can cheer her up, I’m actually happy to pay.”
Jeffrey’s <b>words </b>left everyone at a loss for <b>words</b>.
“Guess I’d better pick up a few tricks from you young guys about how to win someone over, Jeffrey drawled, his gaze lingering <b>on </b>Reba, those dark eyes deep with meaning as his big, warm hand traced slow circles <i>in </i>her palm.
The whole crew just stood there, sweating like crazy.
Jeffrey swept a look over the group, none of them daring to meet his eyes. “Why’d you all m up? Go on- keep it up.
“How are they supposed to sweet–talk you with you sitting right there? Reba shot back, not sure what Jeffrey was ying at. “You think everyone’s as thick–skinned as certain people.”
“I’ll give you some <b>space</b>, Jeffrey said, standing up without hesitation. His hand lingered gently on the back of her head. “Chat about whatever you want, drink as much as you like–I’m not going anywhere; I’ll always be close by
Those words were like a drop of water falling into Reba’s calm heart, rippling through her emotions. She couldn’t help but admit–Jeffrey’s moves were on another level.
He kept her on edge: some days, threatening her, refusing toe clean about Andrea and that promise; <b>other </b>times, acting so tender and caring she couldn’t stay angry.
Every time she was sure she could let go for good, he’d somehow nurture those withered feelings, <b>making </b>them spring up strong in her heart all <b>over </b>again.
“Reba, what’s got you down?” one of the guys asked, trying to break the tension.
“Doesn’t matter what it is–we gotta make Reba smile today. Didn’t you hear what Mr. <b>Hanson </b><b>said</b>?” another chimed in
“Reba…” someone else called out softly.
Reba tuned out the rest of the conversation and nced over at Jeffrey. He was nted firmly in his seat, totally calm<b>, </b><b>just </b>watching her with that warm, gentle gaze–like she was the only <b>thing </b>in the room that mattered.
She really couldn’t tell what was going on with him. This was the same guy who used to get all worked up if she so much as chatted with someone at a party.
Now she was hanging out with a bunch of guys right in front of him, yet he was acting like he couldn’t care less. ‘Is he just super rxed now, or is he impossible to read?’ she wondered.
Realizing this wasn’t getting her anywhere, Reba gave it up. She picked up her bag and got to her feet.
“That’s it for today. I’ve got things to take care of, so I’m heading out.”
She hadn’t <b>even </b>made it out the door when Jeffrey fell in right behind her. Once <b>they </b>were in the car, he turned to her, gentle and patient. “Why’d you stop talking?” <fnb297> Newest update provided by find?novel</fnb297>
Reba shot him a look. Seriously? You really don’t know why?”
Jeffrey just yed dumb. “Hmm?”
“You killed the vibe, Reba said, her tone icy and distant. “I just couldn’t anymore.”
Jeffrey narrowed his eyes. “So, you actually like those guys?”
Reba shot back, “Yeah, I do.”
Jeffrey kept pushing, “Looks like you have a st hanging out with them.”
Reba spat out, “Who wouldn’t be happy kicking it with a bunch of hot, smooth–talking twenty- somethings?”
Jeffrey just shrugged, deadpan. “Me.”
Reba turned her head, staring out the window, not saying another word.
Seeing her so quiet, Jeffrey discreetly sent Gregory a message: [Hire some good–looking, smooth–talking guys in their twenties to be Reba’s bodyguards.]
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