Just as the drama with Cole and Eileen came to an end, the organizers finally made their appearance. Jaycie spared a quick glance
at the two of them, who had already bolted, and without a word, made a mental note to cross them off her list.
The bidding war was fierce, but in the end, Jaycie successfully secured the project.
On the way back, Zander drove her home. As the car rolled forward, he broke the silence first. “Do you still love him?”
The question caught Jaycie off guard. She blinked, then slowly processed who he meant. After a moment, she chuckled in
disbelief. “Where did you get that idea?”
“I thought you agreed to meet with me because you knew he’d be there, and you wanted to get back at him,” Zander said, his
voice tentative.
She laughed softly at his suggestion. “My aunt suggested this, so I just went along with it. I don’t have some weird habit of being in love with one person while meeting someone else. When it comes to relationships, I expect loyalty. So I hold myself to that
same standard.”
1/2
Chapter 19
+15 Bonus
Perhaps the events of the evening had made their conversation feel more relaxed. Jaycie answered his question with patience,
something she might not have done in a different context.
They chatted casually as Zander drove, and before long, the car came to a stop in front of the Stantons‘ grand estate.
Jaycie waved him goodbye before turning toward the door of the mansion. But just as she reached the entrance, she paused. She
turned back, noticing his car still idling in place without a sign of movement.
She walked back to him, and the window rolled down at just the right moment, revealing his sharp features and that warm,
unguarded look in his eyes. He blinked, confusion and curiosity in his gaze.
“Need anything, Ms. Stanton?”
Jaycie smiled at the formal address, sensing his hesitation. “We used to be classmates, so there’s no need to be so formal. Just call
me Jaycie from now on.”
She smiled again, easing the tension. “I agreed to the blind date only because of Aunt Megan. I’m not looking to start a new
relationship, so for now, let’s just stay friends.”
She waved one more time, just like any ordinary friend would, before adding, “Drive safely on your way home.”
As she disappeared behind the gates of the mansion, Zander couldn’t help but smile softly to himself, a quiet warmth spreading
across his face.
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