Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Chapter 454

Noah thought he must have misheard. "Who?"

"You," Ruby said with a faint smile. "Noah."

She reached for his glass with her slender fingers, stood up, and walked over to him. "Be good. Drink up."

"Whoa..." Amelia chimed in, her exaggerated enthusiasm adding fuel to the moment.

Lila, sitting nearby, leaned over, plucked the card from Amelia's hand, and glanced at it.

Then, without a word, she shoved it back into the pile.

Sure enough, Amelia had made it up.

Amelia just grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling as she watched the scene unfold. Noah looked visibly torn, his reluctance plain, but he seemed unable to refuse.

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, wearing the expression of someone being cornered into doing something ridiculous.

As the gathering wound down, Lila excused herself to use the restroom. On her way back, she spotted Noah standing alone at the end of the hallway.

She walked over, her voice soft as she spoke. "If you don't feel like coming next time, just don't."

For once, Noah's expression was unusually serious. "It's fine. A little noise helps clear my head. Otherwise, being alone all the time isn't much better."

He paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How are things with you and Uncle Kieran lately?"

Lila chuckled softly. "We're doing great. Starting over, dating from scratch."

Noah nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like one of those drama plots you're always into—married first, love later. And there's even that whole childhood sweetheart angle."

She smiled, nodding.

for her. "Nice. Just make sure you keep an eye on your

intrigued. "What do you

just now. It wasn't just for fun. That

Lila blinked, surprised.

a brief pause, she asked, "That's

laced with mild irritation as if

then added, "But... it could also be

Lila watched him expectantly.

himself at times, but

one of those rare

Noah opened his mouth, and Lila realized

"She's probably still

failed

picking me to make people speculate even more about her

at a loss for

she asked, "Have you considered

it some serious thought for about two seconds

to pick the guy she's most interested in. What

back, rejecting the idea instantly without so much as a

you two talking about?" Ruby's voice interrupted them as

face held a gentle smile, making her seem

eyes sparkled with mischief. "Noah just said... he kind of likes you, and

finish, Noah clamped a hand

circumstances, Lila would never meddle in someone else's

to Ruby, attention that might hint

she planned to do was give him a little nudge.

that!" Noah hissed, his voice