Chapter 351
After a grueling day, Leanne and Joy had planned to unwind at a local bar.
Leanne arrived first, settling into the lively ambiance as she waited. But Joy was delayed by a last-minute call from a demanding client and was updating Leanne via voice messages as she navigated through the traffic
“I’m two blocks away now,” Joy’s voice crackled through the speaker.
“No rush,” Leanne replied, her voice calm as she ordered a drink to sip while she waited.
During the past few days, Leanne had been wrestling with a delicate matter. She had to find a clever way to discuss Joy’s ongoing feud with Curtis. It was like trying to mix oil with water. The two were incompatible, and Leanne knew she was the root cause.
Joy’s animosity toward Curtis was a shield to protect her. She had stood by Leanne during her darkest moments, never letting go of her hand. They lacked parental love and had become each other’s pillar of strength, making Joy’s role in Leanne’s life incredibly significant.
As Leanne nursed her drink, the warmth slowly spread through her stomach. She was deep in her thoughts when she sensed someone approaching. Expecting Joy, she looked up only to see two men who seemed intent on striking up a conversation.
“Hey, beautiful, all by yourself?” one of them asked, sliding into the seat beside her. They had unremarkable features that blended into the crowd yet carried themselves with an unwarranted swagger. Their style was the type Joy loved to mock, with over-gelled hair, skinny jeans paired with loafers, and shirts tucked neatly into their belts.
Initially, Leanne maintained politeness. “I’m waiting for a friend.”
“Oh, but your friend isn’t here yet. Join us for a drink,” the more talkative of the two insisted, not taking the hint.
Despite her reserved demeanor, they sat on either side of her. “What do you do for a living, gorgeous?” the talkative one continued.
Still in her hospital scrubs, way less eye-catching than the usual bar get-up, Leanne still couldn’t conceal her stunning good looks and one-of-a-kind charm. It was like a rose blooming bright and untainted amidst the decay of the bar’s dim lights.
Her patience wearing thin, Leanne cooled her tone, “There are plenty of seats over there. My friend will be here soon. Please leave.”
“Why so cold? We’re just making friends,” the first man persisted. “My buddy here has taken a real shine to you.”
As they continued to ignore her disinterest, Leanne cut them off sharply, “I’m married.”
09.02
Chapter 351
It only seemed to amuse them as if they found her vulnerability enticing. “No worries. We
are, too. Just having some fun. Why so serious, huh?”
Before Leanne could respond, a hand reached out, snatching a drink from one of the men and splashing it in his face.
“Time to sober up,” Joy’s voice sounded as she pulled the startled man up by his collar, positioning herself protectively before Leanne. She surveyed him disdainfully. “You think you’re worthy of her attention with that face? Dream on.”
The bar was bustling with the evening crowd, who turned their attention toward the scene. Joy’s presence was commanding. “Her husband is a six-foot-two hunk with a six-pack and a fortune. Why would she waste her time on you? You think she’s tired of caviar and wants to nibble on some stale crackers?”
Irritated and embarrassed, the man muttered insults under his breath.
Joy retorted loudly, overshadowing him. “Go yell at someone who cares!”
As the men retreated, defeated and cursing, Joy scoffed, “That’s all you got? Pathetic.”
She then sat beside Leanne, pushing a luxurious handbag aside, and ordered drinks for both. “You’ve been hitting the bottle hard, huh?” she remarked, noticing the empty glasses.
Leanne smiled, amused by Joy’s protective antics. “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” she joked.
Ever the life of the party, Joy waved over the waiter to order their drinks and shared tales of her hectic days. “Feels like I’m a modern-day serf. Slaving away for Austin by day, and he expects me to moonlight as his companion, too. What a rip-off!”
09.02
Chapter 352
Chapter 352
“In my next life, I want to be Selina,” Joy mused out loud, tossing her hair back with a laugh. “Just living the dream, doing nothing but having fun. She’s off on another vacation, you know.”
Leanne nodded in agreement. “Sounds like a plan. That way, we can still hang out.”
Out of the blue, Leanne’s sentimentality caught Joy off-guard. “What’s all mushy suddenly?”
up
with
you, getting
“Joy, you’re awesome. We’ve been friends for so long, and you’re always looking out for me,” Leanne said earnestly. “It’s the biggest blessing to have you.”
Tears welled up in Joy’s eyes as she stammered, “Why are you talking like this? It’s like you’re saying goodbye. Just because you have Curtis and don’t need me anymore?” Leanne felt a lump in her throat and grabbed Joy’s hand. “Of course not. It won’t happen.” “Then why say something like that? You scared the hell out of me.” Joy clutched her chest. “When did you find out?” Leanne asked quietly.
Joy hesitated, her eyes darting side to side, still trying to act ignorant, “Find out what?”
“I knew it,” Leanne sighed as if unraveling a tongue twister, “You’ve known all along, right?” “Obviously!” Joy scoffed. “Did you think you two were being sneaky? All those public displays of affection and sneaking off to answer phone calls. Do I look stupid to you?”
“Why didn’t you tell me then?”
“And you have the nerve to ask me that?”
Leanne immediately felt guilty. “I didn’t want to upset you.”
“Oh,” Joy said dryly. “I was just messing with you and Curtis, too, for fun.”
Leanne was a bit helpless, remembering her internal struggles recently, all apparently for
nothing.
With the weight lifted from her shoulders, she felt relieved. “Are you mad at me?”
Joy shook her head. “I thought you would be happier by staying away from Curtis. But if you’re not, it doesn’t make sense. I only want you to be happy. Whatever you decide, I’m with you.”
A surge of warmth filled Leanne, tears spilling over as she embraced Joy. “Thanks, Joy.”
Joy couldn’t help her tears, stammering, “But it doesn’t mean I forgive Curtis. I’ll never forgive him! If he ever hurts you again, he’s a dead man!”
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