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?”

just checking in. You coming to the Nightshade Bar? Edwin’s

and grinned impishly. “You look like you’ve been dragged through the

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

emphasized the word with a smirk, his expression a blend of mischief and

kicked him lightly under the table, none

okay, I’ll back off. Just a friendly heads–up, if you’re serious about Clara, you better draw a line with

not a threat, but Clara won’t

marriage pact since you were kids. You think any girl would be cool with her man always running back

drag, the shadows in his eyes

in arm with Heidi. “Sorry, guys, Heidi wasn’t feeling

lan an apologetic look and

Your sister is like my own. Heidi, come sit

smile was gentle and pure, belying any ulterior motives. “You’re right under the AC vent.

the seat next to lan and placed a small, elegant box in front of him. “lan, last time you stood up your girlfriend to save me. She’s not mad at you, is she?”

coolly, “No.”

her this lipstick as an apology. If there are any misunderstandings, I can

even glance at the gift as