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.

sure you keep an eye on

eyebrow, intrigued. "What do

notice? Ruby fed me that drink just now. It wasn't

Lila blinked, surprised.

brief pause, she asked, "That's how

it be?" Noah replied, his tone laced with mild irritation

added, "But... it could also

Lila watched him expectantly.

be a little full of himself at times, but now and then,

those rare moments where he stumbled upon

to take root before Noah opened his mouth, and

lowering his voice. "She's probably still holding a

failed

people speculate even more about her and

at a

brief pause, she asked, "Have you

thought for about two seconds before

the guy she's most interested in.

rejecting the idea instantly without so much as a second

about?" Ruby's voice interrupted

held a gentle smile, making her seem even more elegant and

with mischief. "Noah just said... he kind

clamped a hand over her

normal circumstances, Lila would never meddle in someone

paying unusually close attention to Ruby, attention that might

planned to do was give him a little nudge. After that, the rest

say stuff like that!" Noah hissed, his