(Live with a system) Chapter 27
Two weeks later, Brenda was back in town.
At Alex’s place.
Brenda had accepted this, but she still wanted to complain. I can never be sure which city you want to settle. Thank goodness I’m not into marriage!”
Riley nodded seriously along. She was at Brenda’s welcome–back party; Alex had someone cook. After dinner, Brenda, under the pretense of picking out an outfit for Alex’s charity gala, pulled Riley into
into his walk–in closet. It felt exactly like a typical girls‘ night. “Hey, Riley, after you left, Alex was pissed. He said I made decisions without talking to him.” Riley was surprised, then found it interesting to hear about Alex from someone else. Brenda held up two necklaces. Riley chose a shorter one. It was like a choker.
Brenda nodded. “Perfect. He’s got a long neck.”
Riley felt like her secret was out and pretended to be deaf.
Brenda continued, “It was the first time he’d ever reacted like that. I knew then how much he cared about you. Riley, I know you care about Alex too, or I wouldn’t have pushed you to leave. I overstepped.”
Riley shook her head.“No, Brenda, I get it.” She stopped there.
“So…” Brenda looked at her.“Are you gonna get together with Alex?”
Riley suddenly remembered that almost–kiss in the park. She was drinking water and choked, coughing violently.
Alex, for some reason, had good hearing. He was playing video games in the living room, but heard the coughing. He dropped his controller and rushed in.
“How could you be so clumsy?”
His sudden arrival made her cough even harder. He patted her back, his concern obvious. Once she caught her breath, he glared at Brenda.“Brenda, what did you say to her?”
was it. Alex
worried that she would ask Riley to leave again. Brenda got Riley was fine, but his words made her ears burn. She felt flustered, covering her mouth. “I’m okay. I just choked.”
two hiding from me?” Alex glanced between them, then stood up lazily.“What are “Nothing,” Riley, feigning calm, ushered him out of the bedroom. “Brenda and I need some privacy. Go back to your games.”
Riley and Evelyn’s therapy practice was blowing up. Word–of–mouth referrals were bringing in tons of clients, and they’d even hired a couple more therapists. Their growing success led to invitations to a fancy charity gala. Riley examined the invitation thoughtfully. She’d turned down to be Alex’s plus–one, and now she had the invitation?
dress to impress!” Evelyn immediately took Riley to get a custom–made dress. Before they left, Evelyn looked over
nodded in approval.“You young people gotta Riley and
(tak with a system? Chapter 28
«Live with a system) Chapter 28
