NovelBookThe open-air restaurant at night had a dreamy vibe. The warm ambient lights wrappert everyone in a gentle,
cory glow,
Zachary walked over with a smile, looking atpolitely. “M. Hallman said he didn’t want to cook at halone,
so fimited him to join us. | hope yo don’t mind, Ms. Murphy”
| knew Zachary and Melissa were always the first to look out for me, and I really liked how they madefeel
respected. | glanced at Nathan, and he gave
When there were other people around, Nathan actually know how to keep his distance, | would give him credit
for that
After that, we started ordering food. Nathan and Zachary chatted about work, while Melissa shared swild
stories from her side. Finally, Nathan looked atand asked, “How have you been lately?”
| smiled and said, “Tim doing alright”
Nathan's eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment
I knew exactly what he was feeling, but | wasn’t about to give a guy hope or promises | couldn't deliver.
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Nathan really was a good guy, but this was his first marriage. Because he was so decent, | wanted him to be
happy. If he couldn't find love with me, then he deserved to go find his next chance at happiness.
Maybe he’d meet someone he liked even more, get married, and start a family-instead of waiting around, lost
and hopeless, forto get divorced.
Since everyone knew about my messed-up marriage, they steered clear of my personal life. Halfway through
dinner, Jared called and asked if i wanted him to drop off sfood forsince they'd just finished eating
It was pretty noisy on my end, and when | picked up, Jared sounded a bit suspicious. “You went out to eat?”
I answered honestly, “I'm having dinner with Melissa.”
“Are you coming htonight?” Jared asked.
| thought about it. | really didn't want to see Yvonne, and Jared had been way too clingy lately. So I just told him |
wasn’t coming hand would be staying at my place tonight instead.
quiet for a couple of seconds, then asked, “Are you thinking about separating before we actually get divorced!”
Jared went quiet
That was when i remembered that if we lived apart for two years, the divorce would go through faster. But two
years? That was way too long. There was no way | could wait that out.
| said, “Just think about the divorce.” As | stared into the endless night, | couldn't shake the feeling that until this
was settled, I'd never be at peace.
Jared clearly hadn't expectedto bring this up out of nowhere. Aber a few beats, he replied, “Let's talk about
it when we're home.”
Then he hung up first.
My heart felt like it was left hanging in the air, just luck there, not going up or down, leavingfeeling all kinds
of restless inside
Back in my previous life, Jared was the one who wanted a divorce, and | was the one who refused to let go,
chasing after him no matter what
Now, | was the one asking for it, and he just kept hemming and hawing, refusing to givea straight answer.
Fate sure
ssing with me.
When | got back to the table, Nathan asked quietly, “Are you heading out?”
| nodded. “It's about tforto head out. You guys take your time.”
meto
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Chapter 185
Nathan stood up. “Letwalk you downstairs.”
“No need, just enjoy your meal,” | said, then said goodbye to Melissa before leaving.
| could see the reluctance in Nathan's eyes; he really didn’t wantto go. if | were single right now, everything
would be a whole lot simple:
When | got back to my apartment, | saw the lights were on. My heart skipped a beat. Had someone broken in?
Irushed inside and found Jared lounging on the couch, a bottle of red wine by his side, drinking alone.
He was dressed in a gray shirt and black pants that really highlighted his lean, athletic build. Honestly, he was
pretty much my ideal type.
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