Chapter 58 You Actually
Let Him Kiss You
Hadley held the medicine bottle tightly, as if it were her last lifeline.
With this, there was nothing to be afraid of.
That evening. That evening, at Galant.
After the performance, Lennon led her toward a private room in the back. “He’s waiting inside.”
“Alright.”
Hadley lifted a hand and knocked on the door.
Before he left, Lennon gave her one last warning. “Watch yourself.”
“Alright.”
“Come in.”
Hadley took a steadying breath and pushed the door open.
“Mr. Murray.”
The room was bathed in soft lighting, the warm glow casting long shadows. A gramophone on the table played a slow, soothing melody.
Duran stood, offering a soft smile as he pulled out a chair for her. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
Duran settled across from her and gestured toward the table. “Hungry? I had these prepared for you.”
”
“Really?”
Her gaze landed on a rich brownie and a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruit.
Duran leaned back, watching her reaction. “I asked Lennon. He said you liked these.”
Hadley hesitated for a beat, warmth creeping into her expression. “I do,” she admitted, her voice softer.
Despite everything–his age, the secrecy of their arrangement–he had taken the time to learn something about
her.
Maybe this wouldn’t be as hard as she thought.
“Thank you,” she said, meaning it.
Hadley picked up a spoon and began to eat.
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13.55
Chapter 58 You Actually
Let Him Kiss You
Hadley held the medicine bottle tightly, as if it were her last lifeline.
With this, there was nothing to be afraid of.
That evening. That evening, at Galant.
After the performance, Lennon led her toward a private room in the back. “He’s waiting inside.”
“Alright.”
Hadley lifted a hand and knocked on the door.
Lennon gave her one last warning.
“Alright.”
“Come in.”
and pushed the
“Mr. Murray.”
glow casting long shadows. A gramophone on the table played
slow, soothing
pulled out a
“Thank you.”
toward the table. “Hungry? I had these prepared
you.”
“Really?”
and a bowl of Greek yogurt topped
back, watching her reaction. “I asked Lennon. He said
into her expression. “I do,” she admitted, her voice softer. Despite everything–his age, the secrecy of their arrangement–he had
her.
as hard as
you,” she said, meaning it.
a spoon and
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13:56
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<
toned–down look, there was no hiding the quiet elegance she carried–the kind that
studied her for a beat before asking. “How old are
“Twenty–four.”
His gaze lingered, the weight of it making his
should.
Hadley set down
offering her hand
his fingers into hers. “Why not?”
tensed–just for a second. A shiver of unease flickered through
his grip steady as he slid his other arm around her
his shoulder, falling into step with him as the music swayed around
voice smooth and unreadable.
unwavering. “Do you understand
his eyes without hesitation. “I do.”
“And you’re willing?”
actions had spoken for her. But still, Duran wanted to
steady, her resolve unmistakable.
her lips as she looked up at him.
like a delicate flower, and when she smiled, it was
to know.”
dry. He reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair
getting late. I
he really leaving without
flicker of confusion in her eyes
than this. We’ll have dinner and everything. It shouldn’t happen in a
waist but kept her hand in
steadied herself and followed as he led her toward the
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13:56
O
just outside, Eric’s car
foot in Galant for ages, and he wasn’t here for a casual visit. He had
in the shadows of his car, his eyes locked on Galant’s entrance. This wasn’t
with the perfect view of the door. He’d see Hadley the moment she stepped outside, no
am, almost–ex–husband of the year, acting like
at
But she wasn’t alone. Her hand was wrapped around
another man’s.
just as his stomach tightened, the valet brought
her voice light.
“Sure.”
go of Hadley’s hand and slid into the car. But just
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