No Strings Attached

Chapter 4

After the crushing weight of her sorrow began to lift, Clara quickly packed her belongings without a backward. glance and walked out the door, leaving her past behind.

Elsewhere, a sleek black Rolls–Royce Cullinan cut through the silent streets like a bolt of lightning.

lan’s mind replayed Clara’s resolute face as she uttered the words “We’re breaking up” over and over. All because he missed her birthday, all because of a little jealousy, she was ready to call it quits. He mused that he might need to get a handle on her fiery temper.

Frustrated, lan yanked off his tie and tossed it aside. His phone rang several times before he finally picked up. “What’s up?”

A rascally, carefree voice came through the speaker. “What took you so long to answer the phone, buddy?.”

“I’m driving!”

Chase let out a mischievous chuckle. “With Ms. Clara? Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Got nothing better to do?”

to the Nightshade Bar?

Nightshade Bar, Chase slid a drink over to lan and grinned impishly. “You look like you’ve been

frosty look. “Ever heard, ‘a lovers‘ quarrels brings

Look at you, falling ‘hard‘ for her, aren’t you?” Chase emphasized the word with a smirk, his expression a blend of mischief and

lightly under the table, none too gently. “Get lost!”

back off. Just a friendly heads–up, if you’re serious about Clara, you better draw a line with Heidi. Don’t go running every time she calls. Otherwise, don’t come crying to me if you lose your

you she’s not

you were kids. You think any girl would be cool with her man

pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag, the shadows in his eyes growing darker.

in arm with Heidi. “Sorry, guys, Heidi wasn’t feeling great, so I brought her along. Hope you don’t mind.”

apologetic look and

sister is like my

motives. “You’re right under the AC vent. It’s

elegant box in front of him. “lan, last time you

coolly,

If there are any misunderstandings, I can explain it to her myself.”

at the gift as he rejected it.