But with the way things wege between them now people might the wrong idex, and end just bring her a while ind trouble.
So, no matter how much Nathan wanted to keep her close, he had no choice but to let it go for new
After grabbing a blanket and gently draping it over her, Nathan gilled out his phone and called frene
Once Irene heard what was going on, she hurried over without second thought.
By the time she got to the door, she was already looking pretty shocked.
The moment she stepped inside, she nearly screamed right then and there.
Irene blurted out, “Nathan, I knew you still had a thing for Eliara Seriously, you’re something else. You even remembered this!”
Hearing Irene, Nathan just lifted his gaze to her. “Don’t you remember it, too?”
Nathan thought, ‘So both Irene and I remember, but Eliana is the only one who doesn’t.
Honestly, she is the most heartless one of all‘
Nathan couldn’t help but let out a self–deprecating laugh as he said this.
“Of course, I remember. Eliana is my best friend,” Irene said, heading over to where Eliana was lying on the couch.
Nathan glanced at Eliana on the couch and let out a cold snort, “She doesn’t even remember it herself. Even if you forget, it’s no big deal.”
Irene gave him a skeptical look. “No way. This is something that Eliana has always wanted to do. She’d never forget something like this.”
Seeing that Irene didn’t believe him, Nathan didn’t bother arguing with her.
But Eliana’s reaction when she saw the bar genuinely caught him off guard.
Still, he wasn’t petty enough to hold it against her.
“Nathan, you…” Irene said.
Nathan was still caught up in his thoughts when he suddenly heard Irene’s voice from behind.
Remembering that reckless kiss just now, Nathan’s heart skipped a beat. For a second, he worried Irene might have seen something she shouldn’t have.
He took a deep breath, about to explain himself, but Irene cut in “Wow, you really went all out! An entire cabinet of rare liquor? Nathan, if you tell me you don’t love her, I swear I’ll chop my own head off.”
Nathan couldn’t help but grimace at that.
Sure, Irene had always been dramatic, but hearing her spout something so cringe–worthy after ten years still left Nathan speechless.
He let out a breath and said earnestly, “It’s really not that serious. No need to go all dramatic on me.”
“Then how about you give me a bottle? You know you’ll need my help sooner or later,” Irene jumped at the chance.
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Chapter 112
Nathan turned to hex, giving her a serious look. “Dors Eliana kriger you’re this shamele
Irene frowned. “Hey, what do you mean by shameless? I need it for work, you know I would dare drink samething th picey myself
II make some money. I’ll make sure my wedding gift is extr with you guys anyway.
“It’s a win–win for both of in. Isn’t that perfect!”
nerous when you two get hitched. See? It all ecods up bark
He knew she was just spouting nonsense, but when Irene made that solemn promise about giving them a big wedding gift. Nathan couldn’t help but let a small smile tug at his lips.
So, for once, he actually agreed. “Take your pick.”
“Mr. Turner, you’ve got such class,” Irene said, already rushing over to start picking out a bottle.
Once she’d picked out a bottle, she didn’t even spare a glance at Eliana on the couch. Instead, she rushed off to stash that ridiculously pricey bottle in her car.
After taking care of that, she came back, looked at Nathan, and said, “Alright, Mr. Turner, I’m your chauffeur today. I’ll drop you off first, then I’ll take Eliana home right after.
“Relax, if she drank with me, your folks wouldn’t say a word,” Irene added with a wink.
Seeing how Irene was acting, Nathan shot her a suspicious look. “So, if someone else handed you a fancy bottle, would you trade your friends for it, too?”
Irene’s face fell. “Seriously, Nathan? Is that what you think of me?
“If I didn’t know she still had feelings for you, I wouldn’t even bother trying to get you two back together.
“You left her behind all those years ago, and not just Eliana, even I still remember that. And now you’re biting the hand that feeds you?
“Fine, I don’t want the bottle anymore, and I’m done helping you out. I’ll show you I’m not just out here taking drinks from anyone.”
Seeing Irene about to march over and return the bottle in a huff. Nathan quickly called after her.
“Relax, I’m just joking. If you need another bottle, just take it,” he said.
Irene just snorted at that.
She talked tough, but she was quick to act.
Irene cleared her throat, grabbed another bottle, and said, “Hey, you told me to take it, so don’t turn around and say I’m greedy later.”
Nathan just let it slide, too tired to bother arguing with her anymore.
He walked over, bent down, and picked Eliana up in his arms. Without another word, he carried her out of the bar and got into Irene’s car.
Irene got the hint and grabbed another bottle. Then, she helped Nathan lock up the bar and got in the car.
Glancing at Nathan, who was cradling Eliana so gently, Irene let out a soft sigh. “You two were the golden couple, you know? Seriously, where did it all go wrong?
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“Nathan, I get that you must’ve had you reasons back then. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have spent ten years without even seeing anyone. But honestly, you really broke Eliana’s heart.
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“You have no idea how long she was down. You know how proud he is. She was like a totally different person for a while.
“Her grades kept slipping, and teachers even called her folks in. For the longest time, she’d barely say a word to me, just nodding or shaking her head.
“Then I went off to college in another city, and we barely kept in ouch. Even when we did meet up, she seemed fine on the surface, but I could tell she’d changed.
“She just didn’t have that drive
more. It’s like when you left, her self–assurance just vanished.
“And then, as you know, she married Logan. You have no idea how many fights I had with her over that guy. I just never understood why.
“But now that you’re back, I’m starting to get it. She was just self–abotaging, maybe trying to see if she could get a reaction out of you.
“Thankfully, she’s finally wised up and stopped playing games with herself. Otherwise, I really would’ve had to yell some
on in that head of hers.” sense into her and figure out what’s actually going
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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.
