Hadley grinned back. “Dark green it is then. Ahem… Ahem…”
Suddenly, Hadley’s expression changed as she frowned and coughed gently. ?s s f?ndnovel.net
“What’s going on? Why are you coughing?”
Colleen’s gaze snapped toward Zane. “Zane, did you just smoke?”
“Huh?” Zane paused, then nodded. “Yeah, but only when I was outside on the phone.”
He was a gentleman who never smoked in the presence of women. “Let me check.”
Colleen leaned closer, sniffing the air around her cousin. She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “The smell is really strong.”
She turned to explain, adding, “Hadley is very sensitive to it; she can’t stand the smell.” That was precisely why Eric wasn’t allowed to smoke anywhere near their home.
“My bad…” Zane said, looking flustered. He turned to Hadley. “I didn’t realize. I’m really sorry. Are you feeling alright? Do you want me to take you to a clinic or something?”
“I’m fine,” Hadley said, flashing a small smile and shaking her head. The coughing had passed.
“Colleen always makes things sound worse than they are. I’m a little sensitive, sure, but I’m okay now.”
Noticing the coughing had stopped, Zane let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “I really am sorry. I’ll make sure to be more mindful next time.”
Once they stepped out of the bar, Zane offered Hadley a ride home. “That’s really thoughtful, but I’ll have to pass,” Hadley said with a polite smile. “My friend is already waiting in the car.” She meant Tamara.
“Got it,” Zane replied, backing off without protest. “Just let Colleen know once you get home.”
“I will. Bye, Zane. Bye, Colleen.”
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“Bye!” Colleen said, giving her a playful wave.
Hadley turned and made her way across the street.
“Zane,” Colleen said as she stood near the valet stand, clutching Zane’s arm. “Promise me you’ll look after her, alright? She’s doing everything on her own. That kind of strength comes from a hard life.”
“No need to stress,” Zane said, his brows knitting together. “So her engagement with Mr. Scott… that’s officially over?”
Rumors about Hadley and Eric had been circulating everywhere just weeks earlier. Word had spread fast that the Scott family’s successor was looking to rekindle things with his ex-wife, the same woman he’d known since childhood.
“It’s done,” Colleen replied, her expression tightening. “As for that man… I don’t even know where to begin. Maybe he truly cares for Hadley, but his life is too messy. He’s always caught up in something. Anyway, Hadley has my full support. As long as she’s at peace with her choice, that’s what counts.”
Time didn’t wait around. People deserved to live without regrets, and joy should always come first.
“Staying or walking away—it’s all about finding what makes you feel alive,” Colleen said.
.
.
.