12
When the gathering ended, I waited for William in the lobby downstairs.
Suddenly, a friend from New York called.
“Jennifer, what have you been up to these days? Haven’t seen you around.
“I’ve had some personal matters to take care of.”
want to come out with us tonight?
1 smiled. “No, you guys go ahead”
“Wait, Jennifer, don’t hang up yet. It’s actually about Lucas. He’s in a bad mood tonight, drunk out of his mind, and won’t listen to anyone.”
“If you’re free, maybe come by? If he keeps drinking like this, he might end up with a bleeding ulcer again.
“Call Lydia instead ”
“Jennifer, Lucas just kicked Lydia out.”
“We can all see it he still loves you. He regrets it.”
“Enough, Daniel Lucas and I broke up.” My voice was calm as I gripped the phone tightly. “From now on, his business has nothing to do with me. Don’t call me about him again.”
As soon as I finished, I heard some noise on the other end, like someone was taking Daniel’s phone.
I was about to hang up, but Lucas’s voice came through.
“Jennifer, they called you on their own; it’s nothing to do with me.
His tone was as arrogant and cold as ever.
“Alright, then I’ll hang up.”
“Jennifer…”
Lucas called my name again, his voice thick with drunkenness.
If this were in the past, I’d feel sorry for him and start pleading with him to drink less.
But now, his life no longer concerned me
I hung up and, after a moment’s thought, deleted his friends from my contacts too
I only knew them because of Lucas, and now that we’d fully parted ways, there was no need to keep in touch.
“Jennifer.”
In the brightly lit lobby, William was standing a short distance away, his handsome face softened in the glow. “Senior
Just as I was about to stand up, William walked toward me.
Maybe he had been drinking; his steps were slightly unstrady.
Without thinking, I rushed to steady him. “William, did you drink too much? Are you feeling okay?”
William nodded lightly, wincing from the pain in his head.
“Jennifer, my car’s waiting outside. Could you help me get to it?”
“Of course. I’ll take you out now.”
William was much taller than me, so our walk to the car was a bit of a struggle.
As I helped him into the car, I lost my balance and tell right into his arms.
The light scent of alcohol mixed with his deep, woody cologne completely surrounded me.
Flustered, I tried to pull myself up, but William held onto me.
“Jennifer, let me hold you for a little while, olcay?
