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."

of agreement, Cyrus turned

note of pity, his expression hinted otherwise, clearly indicating he was bound for the

expression unreadable, and said,

Usually, Cyrus

-

bar, greeted by a thick haze of cigarette smoke and the smell of alcohol. The room was

finally made it!" Norton exclaimed,

but Cyrus was protective, standing in front of Nancy to shield her

hates the smell?" "And get rid of these girls. I

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

the room was theirs alone, and the

knew the mighty Cyrus of Sunhaven

being married to Cyrus means

raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face as he looked at Nancy. "Don't mind Norton. If

suppressed a smirk, managing a

feigned outrage, turning to Baldrick. "Am

much. If Cyrus won't

his focus to Nancy. "Nancy, long