Chapter 41
Joshua’s face was serious as he said, “They broke up a while ago. He’s just her ex now.”
“Doesn’t that bother you?” Brian asked again.
“Everyone’s got a past,” Joshua replied with a shrug, laying down his cards and shooting Brian a cool glance. “Haven’t you ever been in love?”
Brian rubbed his nose. “I have. But you hadn’t, right? She was your first love, but you weren’t hers. Doesn’t that get to you?”
“Not at all.” Joshua’s dark eyes softened with tenderness. “Just being with her is a blessing.”
“Ah, a true romantic,” George chuckled.
As the game wrapped up, Joshua checked his watch and stood up. “Time’s up. Let’s head out.”
Tonight, Joshua had organized a welcome dinner for Allison.
Under the glitzy neon lights, a blue Bentley rolled up to the front of Oak Lake’s swankiest five–star hotel. The evening breeze whispered by, carrying a slight chill.
Allison stepped out of the car.
“Allie, over here!” Olivia waved enthusiastically from the hotel entrance.
She hurried over to greet Allison, with Sabrina, another of Allison’s best friends, right behind her.
“Olivia, Sabrina, you made it!” Allison greeted them with a smile, her soft leather heels clicking on the pavement.
“Finally decided to come back, huh?” Sabrina teased, pretending to pout. “We were starting to think you’d forgotten all about us.”
Allison’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I missed you guys, so here I am. What, not happy to see me?”
Olivia linked arms with Allison, her eyes dancing with laughter. “Sabrina’s been talking about you non–stop. She was the first to welcome you back.”
Allison’s two besties were a perfect contrast–one was calm and gentle, the other lively and spirited.
Olivia continued, “You are getting engaged to Joshua, huh? That’s amazing.”
Sabrina shot Allison a concerned look. “Allie, are you sure about this?”
Allison playfully flicked Sabrina on the forehead. “What are you thinking? No one can make me do something I don’t want to.”
Both friends knew about her relationship with someone from Havenbrook, though they hadn’t met him yet.
Over the past three years, Allison had shared bits and pieces of her love life, but she hadn’t mentioned the breakup.
Olivia asked, “So, did you break up with Shawn?”
“Yep, blocked him everywhere. He should get the hint.”
Sabrina tilted her head, puzzled. “What made you change your mind all of a sudden?”
A hint of irony flickered in Allison’s eyes. “He saw me as a backup.”
“What?” Sabrina gasped. “That jerk! How could he? Allie, you are amazing. He lost, big time.”
Olivia was just as outraged. “Good riddance! He didn’t deserve you!”
Allison’s serene eyes remained calm. “It’s all in the past. Let’s not dwell on it. Joshua and the others are waiting
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Chapter 41
for us upstairs.”
The trio headed into the hotel.
The manager personally came to guide them. “Ms. Allison, Ms. Olivia, Ms. Sabrina, please follow me.”
They followed him to a private dining room on the fourth floor.
The manager opened the door with a polite bow. “Please, come in.”
By early October, Oak Lake was starting to cool down. The air was crisp, and Allison wore a cream–colored light trench coat over a pale blouse, paired with mid–heel soft leather shoes. Her wavy hair fell casually over her shoulders, giving her a cool, intellectual vibe with a touch of mature elegance.
