118 Chapter 118 – Friends Support and Lunch Invitation
118 Chapter 118 – Friends Support and Lunch Invitation
I found myself grinning at the screen, already composing my response in my head.
I slipped into my office, stashed my purse in the drawer, and powered up my computer. Before I could even settle in, Damian appeared in my doorway, reaching for
hand with theatrical flair.
my
“I’m not sure, Stella. The last thing I want is to give him the wrong idea or hurt him. Her excitement was contagious, and I decided to follow orders without argument. I let Damian know I was heading out and did exactly what Stella suggested. The moment I stepped outside the building entrance, Levi’s sleek sports car pulled up to the curb. He thar
confident stride that made heads turn. climbed out and walked toward me with
“Gorgeous Hazel, word on the street is you’ve been having some rough days. How about letting me have the honor of taking you to lunch today? Good food, better conversation, and who knows, maybe I can coax out one of those killer smiles.”
“Levi. He wants to take me to lunch.”
“Are you kidding me? Having such gorgeous scenery while I worked was the highlight
of my week,” he said with an exaggerated wink. “My couch is available for your napping
needs anytime.”
“Maybe I should check with Scarlett first. He is her brother after all.”
“Much better, Damian. Really. And I owe you an apology for commandeering your couch yesterday like some kind of office vagrant.” The corners of my mouth lifted slightly.
“Even I would take a shot at Scarlett’s brother. Ladies, that man probably knows exactly what he’s doing in the bedroom,” Felix chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.
“You just turned my entire day around. I’ll be there at noon sharp. Fair warning, I’m as jittery as a teenager before prom right now.”
“Fiona, I have no idea what magical ingredients were in that tea, but I actually slep Thank you for taking care of me.”
My phone buzzed against the table, drawing my attention. I unlocked the screen and
A
118 Chapter 118- Friends Support and Lunch Invitation
read the incoming message.
“How is the most stunning assistant this city has ever seen?”
“My brother knows you’re head over heels for Liam. If he wants to roll those dice, he has my complete blessing. He’s a big boy who can handle himself. Plus, you should absolutely go and actually enjoy yourself for once. Levi’s incredible company and won’t push you for anything you’re not ready to give.”
“Who’s making you look like that?” Stella asked, propping her chin on her palm with obvious curiosity.
I squeezed his shoulder gratefully and headed to the break room where Stella was already setting up our impromptu breakfast. She filled me in on everything that happened after exhaustion finally claimed me yesterday, including her conversation with Adrian about Liam’s impossible situation and how torn apart he was too.
“You know exactly how to make my day better,” I said, managing my first genuine smile in what felt like forever. “Let me just dump my stuff.”
“Move it, sister. Grab your purse, hit the bathroom, fix your lipstick, and get downstairs. That gorgeous man should be pulling up any minute.”
With my friends‘ enthusiastic endorsement of Levi’s appeal and potential as a distraction, I decided to accept his invitation.
“Oh honey, you do look better today,” Fiona interrupted, entering the break room and pulling me into one of her motherly embraces.
Chapter 118 – Friends Support and Lunch Invitation
“Obviously you’re saying yes.”
His response appeared almost instantly.
“Levi, lunch sounds perfect. I have no doubt you’ll manage to make me smile.”
“You’re absolutely shameless! I’m grabbing coffee with Stella, then I’ll dive back into whatever chaos I missed.”
“Hazel, breathe. Everything’s handled. You’re ridiculously efficient when you’re functioning, so we’re actually ahead of schedule. Take your time with Stella. No emergencies to handle today.”
118 Chapter 118 – Friends Support and Lunch Invitation
“Hazel, if I were in your shoes, I’d tell the whole world to back off and fight like hell for him. You’re both miserable apart. How could facing it together be any worse?
“I’m positive.”
“Stella, it absolutely could be worse. Liam would never survive being separated from his son, and I couldn’t live with myself for causing that. Plus, that woman would make our lives a living nightmare, doing everything possible to destroy us. Trust me, this is the only way.”
“There’s my girl! I’ve been counting down the minutes until our coffee date. Look what I snagged from that little French bakery on Fifth Street.” She held up a paper bag. “Fresh chocolate chip muffins, still warm.”
I forwarded his sweet message to the group chat, which sparked another round of comments about how adorable and charming he was. Returning to my desk, I managed to focus completely on work for the first time in days. At eleven forty–five, Stella appeared in my doorway.
Chloe jumped in immediately, making everyone burst into laughter with her typical boldness.
“He’s a grown man who can make his own decisions. You’ve never led him on or lied about where you stand. If he wants to take this chance, let him. Worst case scenario, you get a few hours with a gorgeous guy who makes you laugh and forget your troubles.”
The morning after another sleepless night, I surprisingly felt lighter than I had in days. Walking into the office, Stella practically bounced toward me with arms wide open.
“Chloe’s not wrong. Sorry Scarlett, but your brother is absolutely stunning, and that backside deserves its own appreciation society,” Thea added.
“Always, sweetheart. You know we’re here for whatever you need,” Fiona patted my hand before heading toward the coffee machine.
“You really think that’s okay?”
Hazel’s POV
“Girl, I would climb that gorgeous redhead like a tree and bite those perfect lips until he begged for mercy.”
118 Chapter 118 Friends Support and Lunch Invitation
Topened our group chat and sent a quick message explaining Levi’s invitation and asking for Scarlett’s thoughts. Her response came back within minutes.
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