Love's Change of Heart

Chapter 344

When Leanna returned to the workshop after submitting her design, the organizing committee emailed her to let her know it had been received and would soon be judged. She was asked to wait patiently for the results.

So, I am right about those cubby holes, she thought.

She set her phone down and let out a breath of relief. At last, she could finally kick back and relax for a couple of days.

A moment later, a knock came on the door, and Zoe poked her head in. "Hey, Nana. Are you free right now?"

"No, why?" Leanna asked.

Zoe came in and closed the door behind her. "It's been a while since our last retreat. The girls and I were talking about it, and we thought it'd be nice if we had a barbecue in the woods this weekend. What do you think?"

Leanna nodded in agreement. "Sure. I'm down for it."

"Great! I'll make the arrangements," Zoe offered brightly. Then, she leaned in as though to tell Leanna something scandalous and whispered, "By the way, we're allowed to bring a plus-one for this retreat. You might want to bring someone along in case you end up feeling lonely."

Leanna gave her friend a bewildered look. She tugged at Zoe's sleeve and asked, "Wait, are you bringing anyone?"

Zoe chuckled mischievously and raised a brow at Leanna. "Well, of course. I got to know a really cute guy on the Internet not too long ago, and he has the most amazing voice. He even sent me photos of his abs! I figured this is a good opportunity for us to meet up in person."

"I hope you haven't been catfished..."

"Oh, relax! There's a higher chance of me catfishing him than the other way around. Besides, we're going to see each other in real life soon. I might as well test the waters and see if he's anything like he made himself out to be on the Internet," Zoe said wistfully. "If this retreat turns out well, I'll finally have a boyfriend!"

The corner of Leanna's lips twitched as she pointed out, "I think this whole thing is a little dubious. You ought to watch out."

Zoe gave her a firm pat on the shoulder and reassured her, "I'm a big girl; I know what I'm doing. Now, let's talk about you. Are you going to bring your darling President Pearson along?"

The word "darling" made the blood rush to Leanna's cheeks. She cleared her throat and countered primly, "W-Why would I bring him to a team-building retreat? We'd probably end up on the barbecue pit if he were to go."

Huh. She has a point, Zoe thought as she looked at Leanna speechlessly. She paused, then shrugged and said noncommittally, "Well, don't say I didn't warn you. Don't be too envious of the rest of us when we show up with our boyfriends."

leave for the barbecue site together. The girls had brought along their boyfriends, and it took only a round of pleasantries before the

and asked Zoe, "Hey, where's

the curb, and one of the men exclaimed, "Damn, is this the guy you

She clutched Leanna's arm nervously. Holy crap, did I catch

car swung open, and a towering figure emerged and stood tall

gave a collective sigh of disappointment.

I

Some hurriedly made a feeble excuse to get drinks from the vending machine, while others ran off

was visibly crestfallen as she muttered begrudgingly, "What happened

His gaze flickered over to Leanna as he asked, "Where

a date, but she had a

didn't think he would actually

laugh escaped her. She tried to run, but when she turned around, she was greeted by the sight of

later, he asked calmly, "Which one of you

and Zoe gaped at the little boy in

moment think her social media handle

took a hesitant step forward and crouched down to the little boy's eye level, then squeezed out a tight smile. "Hi, there. How may I help

her and introduced himself politely, "I'm Hogbunny. Pleasure to

me? She glanced around and pressed, "Did you come here with your brother or your uncle or something? Isn't there an adult with

to come along to a barbecue, right?" The little boy huffed impatiently. "You have no idea how long it took me to persuade my mom

no longer

slowly.

really were planning to kidnap you, what makes her think I'd

worry about that. I have my ways,"

so jaded after her many experiences with douchebags who only knew how to toy with her, she was sure she would have fainted on the spot and

her face turning

other hand, Aidan merely looked