Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Curtis let out a snort and decided it was high time to settle the score, “So I hear you’ve been spreading rumors that Leanne is as ugly as sin?”

“Who said that? That’s a damn lie. I’d call myself ugly before I ever said a word against. her. Should anyone find her ugly, they certainly need to arrange for an eye test at the clinic.” Devin protested, his indignation just short of swearing an oath to the heavens.

Curtis took a swig of his drink, letting the smooth, aromatic liquor glide down his throat. before the fiery burn of the whiskey kicked back, mingling with a hint of woody, fruity

notes.

He felt like he was going mad, everything reminded him of Leanne.

Seemingly gentle and mellow, but with an inner fire that outlasted them all.

“What’s this we’re drinking?”

Devin glanced at the bottle, “Glen Maverick, 35 years old. Not bad, huh?”

Curtis grunted in response, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, the aged oak color rich and pleasing. “Doesn’t it remind you of Leanne?”

Devin’s expression twisted awkwardly, “Man, that’s a loaded question. What am I supposed to say? If I agree, doesn’t that sound a bit off?”

The quick-witted ones in the group couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Devin, you got a death wish or something?”

“Curtis, let me punch him for you.”

“Buzz off, this ain’t your business.” Devin stood up, gathering every bottle in the private room, opened or not, and stacked them in front of Curtis, “Here’s to Leanne.”

Curtis pulled out a black card from his wallet and handed it to him, patting him on the back of the head with a feigned tenderness, “Go buy yourself a sewing kit and stitch that mouth shut.”

Devin tucked the card into the back pocket of his jeans, “You take her flak and then dump it on me”

That remark dimmed Curtis’ demeanor, and he set his drink aside, pulling a cigarette from his pack

Devin lit it for him, watching as Curtis sat there, puffing away indifferently, the usually confident and carefree man now seemingly cloaked in chilly silence.

After shooing the others away, Devin couldn’t help but prod further.

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“Curtis, if you’re so smitten with Leanne, why’d you act the way you did before? I

remember what you said back then, we all thought you were head over heels for Suzan. Leanne ain’t like Joy, you know. Joy’s a loudmouth, you throw one insult her way, and she fires back ten. But Leanne, she seems easy-going, but she takes everything to heart, too

sensitive.”

“I know,” Curtis’ voice was raspier than before, his cigarette-holding fingers rubbing his temple, “I understand her better than you do.”

Leanne had always been one to bottle things up, seldom showing anger, but once she was upset, it was tough to make things right.

He was probably the one who’d angered her the most, wasn’t he?

Devin also lit up a smoke, puzzled, “When exactly did you fall for Leanne?”

When, indeed?

Curtis squinted through the smoke, “I have no idea.”

As kids, Leanne never paid much attention to him, preferring Phillip instead. Otherwise, Curtis wouldn’t have easily believed that she was in love with Phillip.

He was puzzled by Leanne’s hatred for him until he found out it was fueled by an old grudge. This made him aware of her tendency to cling to past resentments.

Back then, Curtis loved to tease her. Suddenly having a sister in the house, a little girl with big, bright eyes and long lashes, she looked just like a Barbie doll. She was quiet, though, too quiet, no matter how much he tried to get her to talk

He saw her as a little sister, defended her against bullies at school, and watched over her.

Leanne had always been pretty, even more so after joining the Richardson family. When she started high school, she had blossomed into someone who caught everyone’s eye

The boys at school always tried to bother her, but when Curtis was around, no one dared to come close.