The Road to Rebirth Her Fresh Start and His Late Sorrow by Helena R. Bates

Chapter 9

Nancy's heart raced as Cyrus moved closer again, ready to resist when his phone buzzed. Grabbing it like a lifeline, she quickly put some distance between herself and Cyrus. "Your phone's ringing!"

As Cyrus noticed Nancy's rejection, his desire ebbed away, replaced by a bitter feeling he couldn't quite identify. With a stern expression, he answered the call.

"What?"

There was a brief pause before the other end burst into laughter. "Jeez, Cyrus, you sound tense. Are you and Nancy having a spat? Why don't you come out with us? We're all at the Old Oak waiting for you." It was Norton Patel's voice on the other end.

Norton was Cyrus' childhood buddy. Nancy's lips twitched into a smile, feeling a wave of relief.

"Not tonight." Cyrus glanced at Nancy intentionally. "I've upset Nancy. She won't want to go out with me. If she's not going, neither am I."

Norton got the message loud and clear.

"Come on, Nancy! We haven't had a drink with Cyrus in ages. Show your face, will you?"

"It's just a few drinks. It won't keep you from, you know, baby-making."

"Yeah, Nancy, it's just us. Plus, Baldrick Robertson's back in town. It's been ages since he and Cyrus caught up."

chorus of agreement, Cyrus

a note of pity, his expression hinted otherwise, clearly indicating he

expression

go, didn't he? Usually, Cyrus

-

of alcohol. The room was all men, each flanked by young, attractive women. Only

it!" Norton

was protective, standing in

those cigarettes. Don't you know my wife hates the smell?"

Cyrus' dark tone. Norton snapped his fingers, ushering the girls away. "You heard the

was theirs alone, and

Cyrus of Sunhaven would be under the

being married to Cyrus means getting treated

half-smile on his face as he looked at Nancy. "Don't mind Norton. If he were a woman, he'd

barely suppressed a smirk, managing a nod

outrage, turning to Baldrick.

"Pretty much. If Cyrus won't

approaching Cyrus but quickly shifting his focus to Nancy. "Nancy,