No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 22



Even though shopping with Haley put me in a bad mood, it didn't kill my appetite.

I wolfed down a massive cheeseburger before heading back to the office. As soon as I got there, my phone rang. It was Jacqueline, Conrad's mom. Not having been home in two days, her call wasn't unexpected. "Jacquelin," I greeted.

"Felicia, sweetie, stop crashing at your girlfriend's place. Come home tonight, will you? I made mutton chops, your favorite, with black pepper," Jacqueline's offer made me chuckle.

It looked like Conrad had come up with an excuse for my absence.

I had already decided to move back to my folks' house, meaning I'd have to return to the Wagner family to pack up my things. "Jacquelin, I'll be there tonight," I said.

Just before leaving work, Deborah sidled up to me. "Felicia, you alright?"

"What's up?" I asked, puzzled.

"You know how people love to gossip around here. Just ignore them. I've seen firsthand how much Mr. Wagner dotes on you," Deborah's words made me reach out for her hand.

She instinctively hid her phone behind her back. My face turned stern. "Hand it over."

and opened their private gossip chat. The content was similar to what I had overheard from some employees the day before, but they had dug up some past dirt

a love triangle back in the day. That was news to me. Even though

I drove off, but not back to

arrived, he was in the middle of

Shedding my coat, I picked up a cue stick and joined Jefferson at the table. "Not bad at all. A credit to your teacher," he complimented, referring to Conrad. "Jefferson, did you attend college with Conrad?" I asked

why do you ask? Are you fishing for some old college gossip?" Jefferson

and

game to

"I

shot, sinking the

he looked at me. "Why the sudden

I replied briefly, focusing on the

tomorrow. If you've decided to be together, trust is key," Jefferson added before wishing us welb

I blurted out, causing

"Better to part ways now

a straight shooter. Remembering his advice from the other day,

"What?" He looked puzzled.

explanation, I left and headed back

I