Chapter 281

Chapter 281

Leanne had never been the type to sneak around with boys, but now she was overwhelmed with the kind of guilt that comes from being caught in the act.

She grabbed her phone and headed back to her room, shutting the door behind her to face Joy’s intense scrutiny.

Leanne explained, “He knew I was sick, came over yesterday to take care of me.”

“Yesterday? So, he basically spent the night!” Joy’s mind was racing. “He stayed over,

didn’t he!”

She started pinching her own arm in disbelief.

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Leanne said. “I was so sick, I could barely move, nothing happened.”

Joy knew all too well how vulnerable being sick could make someone; her first love started just like that.

Back in Stonebridge high, she was hospitalized with a nasty case of gastroenteritis when a guy showered her with attention. She fell hard and fast, only to find out he was seeing a few other girls at the same time. His generosity of spirit was almost commendable, if it wasn’t so heartbreaking.

And Leanne, she already had deep feelings for Curtis.

Joy couldn’t blame Leanne; she was sick and weak, no match for Curtis’ charm. She blamed herself for not being there to fend him off.

But no matter, it was a mistake any woman could make.

After a moment of dramatic frustration, Joy cooled down and marched straight to the Golden Grove Manors.

Half an hour later, she was knocking loudly on Leanne’s door, shouting, “Honey, I’m here!”

Leanne emerged from her room, heading to the foyer.

Curtis, who had been making food in the kitchen, wiped his hands and came forward. “She’s got the flu, keep your distance. I’ll get the door.”

Opening the door only halfway, he leaned casually against it, looking every bit the relaxed homeowner in his dress shirt and slacks, making no move to invite her in.

With a cool glance, he asked, “What’s up?”

Who did he think he was, acting like the owner of the house?

Joy rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t stick that way, barged through the

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door, and announced, “My darling, sorry I’m late!” aiming for a hug.

Curtis, quick as a flash, pulled Leanne towards him, leaving Joy hugging the air.

Curtis, with Leanne bewildered in his arms, shot Joy a look of outright disdain. “You’re covered in germs. Don’t touch anything. Go sanitize.”

Even though Leanne was a stickler for cleanliness, it seemed her flu was the lesser of two evils compared to whatever Joy might be carrying.

Always siding with Joy, Leanne frowned at Curtis, “Be nice.”

“Nice? I haven’t thrown her out, have I? That’s Mr. Curtis showing restraint.”

Curtis continued, “Ms. Campbell, kindly wash your filthy hands before coming near our patient with her low immunity. Is that polite enough?”

Leanne was speechless. Could he be any more sarcastic?

Feeling downright filthy from Curtis’ comments, Joy scrubbed her hands with soap for a solid half-minute before dousing herself in sanitizer.

“From now on, I’m taking care of her. You can leave,” Joy declared.

Curtis smirked, his sarcasm thick. “And what will you do for dinner? Open the window and serve her a breeze from the northwest?”

Joy was at a loss for words.

Caught up in her rush to protect Leanne, she’d forgotten about food, damn it.

“Don’t underestimate me, I can cook, you know.”

She might not be a kitchen enthusiast, but whipping up some pasta or a simple omelet was within her skill set.

Driven by a sudden need to prove herself to Curtis, Joy rolled up her sleeves and stormed into the kitchen, where Curtis’ soup was already sending tempting aromas into the air.

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