Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 49

In the private room of the hotel.

It seemed like everyone was conspiring, despite so many available seats, they’d left the one next to Julie for Kieran. By the time Kieran came back from his call, the only spot left was next to Julie,

Daphne, worried, whispered to Julie, Julie, should we swap seats?”

Julie shook her head. Swapping seats now would only make things more awkward, wouldn’t it?

She tried to keep things lowkey. The first half of the dinner went smoothly until Porter, having had too much to drink, suddenly became melancholic and started reminiscing about the past. He even blurted out to Julie, Julie, you have no idea, I used to admire you so much, you were so head over heels in love! Why didn’t you end up with Mr. Hernandez? Here, Julie, I toast to you, for love, for youth!”

With that, Porter handed Julie a full glass of hard liquor

catch up on when they gathered. After a few drinks,

able to leave without

could not drink, otherwise, she would have stepped in and drunk it

liquor, Julie bravely picked up

gutsy! Viviana, you should toast to Julie, weren’t you guys roommates?” Porter

time, raised her glass and

blushing from the drinks she’d been sipping, shook her head and laughed. “I can’t hold my liquor well, I’ll make a fool

How about we play Quarters? If you win, I drink. If you lose, you drink two?” Viviana was always

“No way, I don’t know how to play”

voice suddenly sounded from

help but glance at Kieran, mentally

you lose, you keep challenging until you win. After we go around the table, we pick a new champion. Sound good?”