Chapter 37
Audrey’s POV:
Finley shook his head, looking thoroughly disapproving.
“Audrey, this is like sticking your head in a lion’s mouth.”
Noticing I still hadn’t reacted, he fixed his gaze on me once more, his expression turning earnest,
I’m telling you, you need to stay the hell away from that guy. People like him are way out of our league.”
‘Yeah, I get it,” I replied dismissively.
Truth was, I’d thought about walking away plenty of times.
But every time I was ready to throw in the towel, Noah’s dark grape–like eyes would pop into my head.
That kid had a way of melting my resolve, making it impossible to just turn around and bail.
I decided to change the subject. “Speaking of which, what’s the real reason
Finley coughed a couple times and set down his coffee.
you suddenly flew back to New York?”
“What do you think? I was worried about you. The second I wrapped things up in London, I hopped on the first flight here.”
I gave him a skeptical look, raising one eyebrow.
Under my scrutiny, Finley’s eyes flickered slightly.
He cleared his throat and continued, “Turns out my concerns were spot–on. The minute I take my eyes off you, you go and tangle with someone like Caspar- the guy’s a walking nightmare. He’s notorious on Wall Street for being absolutely ruthless.”
I looked at him teasingly. “So you being here is going to solve my Caspar problem?”
Finley immediately broke into an awkward grin, running his hand through his hair.
“Uh… well, maybe I can’t fix it directly, but at least I can provide moral support from the sidelines?”
I just smiled noncommittally.
Finley reached over and patted my shoulder sympathetically,
“Seeing you in this mess just breaks my heart. Come on, let me buy you drinks tonight–we’ll drown our sorrows!”
I could tell Finley was the one who really needed the drinks, so I didn’t argue.
A waiter happened to walk by, and Finley flagged him down. “Whiskey, neat.”
The drink arrived quickly. Finley knocked it back in one go, then ordered another.
1/3
3:19 pm ppm M.
Chapter 37
I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. After the second drink went down, he ordered a third.
“You okay?‘ I finally couldn’t help asking.
“Of course,” he answered evasively, his gaze drifting elsewhere. “You know my tolerance–I can drink anyone under the table.”
I watched him with concern. Actually, his alcohol tolerance wasn’t nearly as good as he claimed.
After God knows how many drinks, he hesitated before speaking: “Clara, she…” But then he shook his head and dropped the subject.
Watching him drink glass after glass, I felt inexplicably agitated too.
Maybe it was Finley’s mood rubbing off on me, or maybe it was thinking about Caspar’s insufferable face.
Before I knew it, I’d ordered a drink myself, then a second, then a third…
Damn Caspar Thornton.
I cursed him in my head, feeling the alcohol starting to kick in, my thoughts becoming fuzzy and bold.
Just as we were both lost in our respective brooding, a fashionably dressed girl approached our table.
She wore a tight dress and flawless makeup, her eyes locked on Finley.
“Hi there, you look like you have great taste in fashion. Mind if I introduce myself?” Her voice was sickeningly sweet.
Usually, Finley the playboy would flirt back with these admirers, but tonight he clearly couldn’t be bothered.
He suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me close, his gesture intimate.
“Sorry, I’m on a date with my girlfriend,” he said casually, as if we really were a couple. “Getting to know other women would make her jealous.”
I nearly choked. This sudden display of intimacy caught me completely off guard.
But following Finley’s cue, I reluctantly played along, nodding and even leaning against his shoulder.
The girl shot me a disappointed look and reluctantly walked away.
The second she turned around, I dropped the act.
“Real smooth, I muttered, pulling my arm out of his grip. “Using me as a human shield?”
‘Desperate times, desperate measures, Finley shrugged and took another sip.
I was about to retort when I glanced up and spotted a table across the room–my heart nearly stopped, and I sobered up instantly.
Caspar Thornton.
There he sat, impeccably dressed in a suit, expressionless, watching me with an unreadable gaze.
2/3
Chapter 37
The table was clearly a business meeting.
Several suited men around him were talking animatedly, holding documents and tablets.
But Caspar seemed completely uninterested in their conversation, his eyes locked directly on me.
His stare sent chills down my spine. I quickly looked down, feeling inexplicably nervous. What kind of terrible coincidence was this?
“I… I need to use the restroom,‘ I stammered to Finley, not waiting for his response before fleeing the table.
1 practically jogged through the restaurant, my heart pounding like a drum.
Just as I was about to reach the restroom, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking my path.
Caspar Thornton stood there, impeccably suited, looking at me with that same expressionless face.
“Ms. Lane, his voice was low and calm. “What a coincidence.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
