NovelBookChapter 261 Lucy tapped her temple, eyes sparkling. "Female intuition. It's like my superpower." Intuition? Damn, she was good. "So?" Lucy pressed. "Con, Thalia. We're way past professional boundaries here. I'm literally the president of your fan club." Thalia laughed and playfully swatted Lucy's head with a folder. "Seriously? Gossiping on company time? You trying to get fired or something?" Lucy zipped her lips with an exaggerated gesture. "After hours," she mouthed silently.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter finishing up with Lucy, Thalia headed back to her office to deal with Lucia. The woman had practically made herself at hthere over the past few months. Thalia loved her teas-had an entire collection of premium varieties that she'd offer whenever Lucia visited. But Lucia, with her years in New York, was a hardcore coffee snob. She had standards that would make baristas weep. She'd even bought her own high-end coffee machine to keep in Thalia's office.
---- That's how frequently she dropped by-she'd installed appliances. The rich aroma of freshly ground beans hit Thalia as soon as she opened her door. Lucia was already at the machine, looking perfectly at home. "Want a cup?" "Tl stick with tea, thanks." Thalia shook her head. "Your loss," Lucia shrugged, settling onto the sofa with her mug. "Missing out on a life-changing experience." Thalia set down her files.
"I'll somehow manage to carry on." She filled her electric kettle, preparing her usual afternoon oolong. "So what's up? Special reason for the visit?" "Do I need a reason to see my friend?" Lucia playfully echoed Asher's earlier words: "Just wanted to see you, so I came." Thalia rolled her eyes. "God, that's cringe. I'm literally getting goosebumps." "Just quoting your boyfriend," Lucia replied, a hint of ---- bitterness in her laugh.
"Word for word what he just said downstairs." Thalia raised an eyebrow. "You're something else, you know that? The guy you're into says something cheesy to another woman, and your response is to repeat it as a joke?" Lucia shrugged, staring into her coffee, "What are my options here? Threaten him at knifepoint to fall forinstead?" Thalia had no comeback for that. The silence stretched as she prepared her tea. Lucia took a long sip and looked up, expression suddenly serious.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"So it's official? You two are back together?" "Yes." No point hiding it. "Called it." Lucia sighed. "I've been back in London for months now, and I've barely managed to get five sentences out of him. It's always beenchasing,trying." There was real hurt in her eyes. "But with you? It's different. He's always the one showing up at your door. Always him making the effort." ---- "Let's change the subject," Thalia said gently.
"You didn't really call this way just to discuss my love life, did you?" Lucia straightened up, shifting gears. "Actually, I wanted to ask-are you free next Saturday?" "Next Saturday?" Thalia checked her calendar app. "Looks clear. Why?" 's my birthday. I'm hosting a party on my yacht, Would love it if you could come." Thalia thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, I can make that work." Lucia hesitated, fidgeting with her coffee mug. "What is it?" Thalia asked, noticing her discomfort.
Lucia took a deep breath, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. 'Look, we're friends now, so I'm just going to be straight with yould really like Ash to ctoo. I know it's a lot to ask, but... he's never once shown up to any of my birthdays. Could you maybe bring him along?" Her voice softened. "Consider it granting a girl's birthday wish?"
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
