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?"

I came over earlier. They haven't cleared up

glove compartment. There was only a pack

stop him and said, "This is a mild one.

Xander took out a cigarette and

said, "Light

and piercing under the

a beat. She took out a lighter and lit it up. The flame illuminated both their

know how to smoke

in Pamore. I just

his cigarette and tossed the lighter

Benjamin. But none of the Hawkinses

It was just as Grace had said. It was too mild for him. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on

the window

blaming me now, Xander." Grace was

gaze seemed to burn through her as he asked, "Have you ever thought what things might have been like if you had never come

Even though the ending wasn't the best, at least I was happy

it, even though the Hawkins family and Benjamin looked down on

down and begged, "Can you

continued, "Are you regretting it, or do you still

was too strong, but Grace felt her eyes

rubbing

not. It's just