Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Public rejection hit the rising pop singer hard. It took her a few seconds to regain her composure after she heard the cold and swift denial..

After witnessing the fleeting look of embarrassment the singer couldn’t hide, Leanne felt a hint of sympathy. A smirk played at the corners of her lips.

She knew that sting well.

Curtis hadn’t been home for days when Leanne tracked him down to a dinner party. There, amidst a crowd of onlookers, he stood with a casual, cold smirk, saying, “If I can’t be with the one I love, then who I marry doesn’t matter.

That

at was Curtis. He could make you feel like you were floating on air, cherished and adored, and then, he’d slice right through your heart with a feather-light touch.

With a heavy, tight sensation in her chest, Leanne grabbed a glass and asked Joy, “Get me one, will you?”

Without hesitation, Joy filled her glass. “How’s that? Good stuff, right?”

The drink was smooth and rich, with a lingering taste that justified its price. Leanne nodded in agreement, “There’s a reason it’s expensive.”

Joy poured another and slung an arm around Leanne’s shoulders. “Drink up, darling. Drown your sorrows!”

Leanne was curious. “Are you this happy because you love drinking?”

Joy tossed her hair back with a laugh. “As if. My happiness comes from not knowin

much.”

Leanne couldn’t help but chuckle. “At least you’re self-aware.”

But she hadn’t anticipated the potency of the alcohol.

Leanne couldn’t recall the moment she collapsed, nor where she ended up, just that she and Joy had shared a few drinks before her memory faded to black.

The next thing she knew was her 7 a.m. alarm was blaring. Hungover, exhausted, and nearly unable to pry her eyes open, she fumbled for her phone.

A strong arm reached over her and turned off the alarm before she could.

Cuddled in a warm embrace, half-asleep, she saw the sharp lines of a man’s jaw.

It was Curtis.

Was this a dream?

Dazed, she tightened her hold on him, burying her head in his embrace. The warmth and

10

Chapter 15

firmness of his chest, the strong muscles, and the feeling of reality gradually erased her sleepiness.

Opening her eyes, she stared at his distinctly masculine throat for seconds before looking up into Curtis’ deep eyes.

His gaze held an ambiguous meaning.

“Comfortable?” he asked.

Fully awake, Leanne realized she was clinging to him like an octopus, probably a side effect of her drunken stupor, her body acting on instinct.

The comfort and contentment ebbed away as she took her arms off his waist and backed out of his embrace, apologizing.

“Sorry about that.” He replied with a dry politeness.

“Now you’re being formal? Who was clinging to me last night, impossible to shake off?”

Curtis shot her a sarcastic look, adding, “With your tolerance, you shouldn’t try to keep up with drinkers. Do you even know how you got home?”

Leanne could almost picture his exasperated expression as she burrowed deeper into the covers. “I didn’t mean to bother you. You could have handed me to Joy if I were a nuisance.”

“Your friend was out cold, even worse than you. Or would you have preferred I left you at the bar for someone else to pick up?”

With a scoff, Curtis got out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

After checking her phone, Leanne realized the alarm had been going off for a whi was almost late for work. She dressed and dashed out the door skipping breakfas

She barely arrived at the hospital on time, quickly catching up with the on-duty doct

By mid-morning, once the rush had subsided, she realized that she had forgotten to b up the divorce with Curtis.

She got the rare chance to see him the night before, but between the booze and the morning rush, it completely slipped her mind..

Frustrated, she tapped her head and found a moment to call Joy.

Joy’s voice was weak and dizzy when she answered. “Hello?”

“Why do you sound so exhausted?” Leanne asked.