In the Lap of Luxury by Unsweetened Chestnuts

Xander glanced at her after he finished speaking. What he meant was evident enough.

Grace tightened her grip on the seatbelt as she calmly asked, "What did you want to tell me? Was it something that could be done with just a call?"

Xander replied, "You only had Luke with you. I was worried that you might have been forced to drink."

Grace asked, "You were the one who introduced Mr. Thorne to me. Don't you know the kind of person he is?"

Xander answered, "He's a gentleman. He wouldn't make it hard for you."

Grace continued, "Then you still-"

"I wanted to see you."

Xander tilted his head and looked at her as he made it clear. "Would you be able to accept this answer?"

Grace was stunned. She was clearly surprised.

She replied, "We just met yesterday."

"Meeting once isn't enough for some people."

Xander glanced over at the rearview mirror and drove out of the city center. He then slowed the car down and stopped by the roadside.

Grace asked, "Why did you stop the car?"

an accident somewhere further down when I came over earlier. They haven't cleared up the road yet, so I figured we could just

glove compartment. There was only

"This is a mild

try it." Xander took out a cigarette and

said, "Light it

clear and

a lighter and lit it up. The flame illuminated

smoke in Coronia. When did

in Pamore. I just learned

and tossed

of the Hawkinses had cared about

It was too mild for him.

of the window

I did it willingly. Even you're blaming me now, Xander." Grace

what things might have been like if you had never

"There's no 'if'. Even though the ending wasn't the best, at least I was happy back then. I don't

family

panicking deep down and begged, "Can you stop talking about

it, or do you still

was too strong,

fun rubbing salt

It's just