âWhy havenât you hit the gym today? You always used to preach about ânot a day without trainingâ.â
Nolanâs eyes were glued to the file as Dahlia stood in front of him, chirping away about the movie they had just seen together.
In truth, Nolan had completely tuned out the film. Throughout the two hours in the cinema, he had been enveloped in an inexplicable irritation, though he never let it show on his face.
âYouâre right, but Iâm human too, you know. Sometimes I just need a cheat day. And whatâs with you shooing me away today? Got a hot date with your girlfriend or something?â
Dahlia teased with a grin, but Nolan didnât answer.
The next moment caught them both off guard as Lucyâs voice came through the office landline, âMr.
Harris, Ms. Tanner is waiting for you in the lounge.â
Dahliaâs face soured instantly, and Nolanâs fingers paused.
âIâll be right there. Go ahead, Iâve got this.â
âSure thing.â
Dahlia couldnât keep the smile on her face any longer. âMs. Tanner, is she the reporter who interviewed me? Why is she here looking for you?â
âWell, you said it yourself, sheâs a reporter. It must be something about an interview. Why. donât you head back first, since Iâve got a guest? Iâll have the driver take you home.â
Nolan stood up, clearly ready to usher Dahlia out, but she was rooted to the spot.
When did they start communicating so closely?
She hadnât even finished digging into Reginaâs identity, and here they were, meeting aga âWhatâs so urgent that you need to see her? Canât I stay and listen? Since when do you d interviews?
Or are you doing it because itâs Regina, just like me?â
Dahliaâs voice dripped with sarcasm. She blocked Nolanâs path as if fearing he would sen her away, âItâs not impossible. If you can change your mind, why canât I try something new?â
Dahlia sensed an undertone in Nolanâs words. What are you implying? Nolan, speak plainly!â
Nolan instantly regretted provoking her at such a critical moment. He admitted that his words were partly out of spite, but he was tired of pretending everything was fine after each argument, just like Dahlia did.
Over time, the rift between them would only widen. Especially after all the issues theyâd had, he didnât want to give Dahlia any false hope.
ââ¦Iâm sorry, I shouldnât have said that. You should head back; sheâs here on business. Lucy, please have Ms. Tanner wait in the lounge. Iâll be there shortly.â
He didnât want to leave Regina hanging.
âYes, Mr. Harris.â
âHmm, if youâre so eager to be rid of me, I wonât budge. I want to see whatâs so important for you two to discuss.â
Dahlia crossed her arms defiantly, ready to make a scene.
Nolan sighed, a headache brewing. âDo you have to make everything so difficult? You know well that after what happened, we canât go back to what we were. Isnât being friends. just fine?â
âNot fine at all! Nolan, I know Iâve messed up, and Iâve apologized. Iâve spent these years abroad, avoiding contacting you unless absolutely necessary as my own punishment. Isnât that enough?â