âWhat do you mean?â Leah asked in confusion, as she placed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in front of Joelle. Joelleâs cheeks flushed a shade of pink. It was a secret between them.
âItâs nothing, really.â
After finishing her meal, Joelle was about to head out when Adrian called her. He had just arrived at his destination and was briefing Joelle on his plans.
âThank you,â Joelle said, appreciating his efforts.
âThereâs no need to thank me. Iâm not just doing this for you. To be honest, the thought of being ignored for the next two months is worrying me.â
Joelle retorted, âAm I really neglecting you that much? It canât be that serious, can it?â
Adrian answered with gravity, âIâve prepared a chart. Would you like to see it?â
MⱺÉÉ ÉÏÈ¡Ä Å£ÉÅ Ä©Å É¢Ä ÅÅøνÉÅÅ.çøɱ âNo, no,â Joelle chuckled. âI promise to make it up to you once youâre home!â
âLook after yourself first. And remember, for each pound you lose, I expect ten more minutes of your time,â Adrian teased.
Pain began to throb in Joelleâs jaw again. She felt a chill, playfully called him a rascal, and ended the call.
Her car pulled up in front of a club. The valet came over, and Joelle passed him her keys before going inside to meet Katherine.
Inside, Lily had brought a stack of presents after learning Katherine was pregnant.
âYou and Shawn are really moving quickly!â Lily exclaimed, placing her hand on Katherineâs belly, amazed at the thought of a new life growing inside.
Just then, Katherineâs stomach moved slightly.
âIt moved! It really moved!â
âRelax! It was a hiccup from me,â Katherine chuckled.
Joelle smiled and said, âThe babyâs only a month along. Itâs hardly developed yet.â
Lily rubbed her forehead. âIâve never had a baby. How would I know?â
Katherine suggested, âTry having one with Ferris, then youâll understand it all!â
âFerris? Shawnâs friend? Lily, are you twoâ¦?â Joelle asked in surprise.
Lily got up, her cheeks reddening as she clamped a hand over Joelleâs mouth.
âWhat are you thinking? Iâm just trying things out with Ferris!â
Joelle nodded.
âHeâs really a nice guy.â
âI know,â Lily responded, taking her seat again, though her forehead creased in concern.
âBut why hasnât such a decent man been in a relationship at his age? Could there be something off about him? Maybe heâs odd in some way?â
When women gather, gossip was sure to follow. Shawn had once joked that if Katherine and Joelle spent even an hour together, there wouldnât be a single person in Illerith left unjudged.
Now with Lily joining them, it took less than ten minutes for Ferris to be put under the microscope, awaiting judgment.
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