The Bound Between Us

Chapter 714

Collin was sitting by himself when Anastasia spotted him. She glanced around, making sure no one was watching, then pulled her scarf tighter around her face and approached him. "How did you recognize me?" she whispered.\n\n"Oh, I could spot you right away," Collin replied, his breath heavy with whiskey. He was definitely tipsy, his words a bit slurred. "Anastasia, are you really here to check up on us? Bundled up like that?"\n\nAnastasia just sighed.\n\nEven with her disguise, Collin could pick her out. They'd known each other long enough that he could identify her on instinct, mask or no mask.\n\nShe didn't plan on sharing her true reasons for being there, so she played along. "Yeah, I'm here to check up. Is Herman around tonight?"\n\nIt was a lighthearted quip, just going with Collin's teasing.\n\nCollin, who had already had quite a few drinks, had been coaxed out by some friends for a night at Neon Dreams, a local bar.\n\n"Anastasia, ever since Herman got married, he's been on his best behavior. Promise," Collin said with exaggerated gestures. "These days, no woman gets within ten feet of him."\n\nAnastasia chuckled, "You guys always cover for each other."\n\nCollin's friends started calling him over.\n\nAnastasia waved him off, "Go have fun. I've got to run."\n\nBut Collin insisted, "You all go ahead. I want to chat with Anastasia for a bit."\n\nAnastasia rolled her eyes. He was definitely drunk.\n\nOnce his friends wandered off, Collin turned back to her. "Anastasia, I'm genuinely curious. How did you manage to reel Herman in so tightly? All he ever talks about now is going home to his wife or kid. Without him at the bar, the night's just not the same."\n\nAnastasia teased, "Is it because I'm too strict?"\n\n"Oh, no, no," Collin hurriedly waved his hands, "I didn't mean that. I'm just curious. Seriously, I've known Herman for ages, and he's always been a stand-up guy. As far as I know, he's only ever been with you and this one other woman from years ago."\n\nIt was the first time Anastasia had heard such gossip about Herman. Intrigued, she asked, "Who was the other woman? Was she pretty?"\n\nShe wasn't jealous; just genuinely curious.\n\nAs long as Herman had been faithful since they'd been together, she had no reason to hold past flings against him. But women's curiosity about their husband's past flames is practically instinctual.\n\nCollin, too drunk to filter his words, blurted out, "Pretty? He didn't even know what she looked like. Let me tell you, Anastasia, about seven or eight years ago, we got Herman plastered. We wanted to see if he was as squeaky clean as he seemed. Guess what happened?"\n\n"What happened?" Anastasia leaned in, intrigued.\n\n"He didn't even know who he spent the night with," Collin laughed. "But it must've been wild. When I found him, the scratches on his neck were pretty telling."\n\n"Who knew Herman had such a wild night in him?" Anastasia mused. "Did he ever try to contact her again?"\n\n"Nope," Collin shook his head confidently. "I can swear to you, Anastasia, he didn't. Herman had no clue about her name, looks, or where she came from."\n\n"A one-night stand?" Anastasia thought to herself, surprised to learn Herman had such a story.\n\nCollin, still unable to control his tongue, added, "It's normal to fool around when you're young. My guess? She was probably just some girl from this club, or maybe someone picked him up. Heck, it could've been someone with a secret crush on him, seizing the chance. I used to joke with Herman about some woman showing up with a kid someday."\n\n"This club?" Anastasia's heart skipped a beat. "Herman's one-night stand happened here?"\n\nWithout a second thought, Collin nodded, "Yep!"