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My chopsticks hit the floor, my face paling. I braced myself, thinking, I'm done.I'll just insist I mistook her.
"Lily, actually, I…"
"Quiet!"Lily glared at me and turned to Claire.
"Tell me."
Claire wiped her tears and sobbed," He's cheating on me with multiple women."
"Huh?"I blinked.
Lily gritted her teeth." I knew he was no good. I told you so many times, but you wouldn't listen."
I stammered," What?"
Claire cried harder." Lily, I should've listened. He seemed refined and charming, but he's a total sleaze."
It wasn't about me. I patted my chest, my racing heart settling.
Claire's boyfriend, a trust-fund kid, was someone Lily always called a flaky player. She'd urged Claire to dump him, but Claire refused, causing a sisterly rift.
Claire ranted about his betrayals, and Lily got really angry. She even slapped my thigh in frustration.
My hunger kicked in. Ignoring their talk, I shoveled food.
"Claire, this afternoon, let Jack drive us to his place to get your stuff. You can move in with us. Jack, is that okay?"
"Yeah,"I mumbled with my mouth full, forced a nod.
Having another person in the house wasn't a big deal, but I was a bit worried about my alone time with Lily.
"In a couple of days," Claire said, blushing and glancing at me." I slipped in the shower and twisted my waist. It hurts. I need to rest first."
"You okay?"
"It's fine, just needs some rest."
" Well, "Lily glanced at me," let Jack give you a massage. He'll fix it fast." As a physical therapist at a TCM clinic, I specialized in sprains and injuries.
Claire's face got even redder, and she shook her head." I'll try some liniment first. If it doesn't get better, I'll ask Jack."
After lunch, I wanted to take a nap, but closing my eyes brought back the steamy bathroom scene—Claire's touch, her faint fragrance. It felt surreal.
Claire's figure was incredible. She wasn't prettier than Lily, but her quiet, shy demeanor contrasted with her bold, magnetic presence under spotlights. That duality was captivating.
My body heated up thinking about it.
"Why are you grinning?" Lily frowned." Something's not right with you today. Hiding something?"
I froze."Nothing! I wasn't grinning. What would I hide?"
"Your face is red."
"Uh…the lunch was spicy."
"Spicy enough to make you sweat?"
"Y-yeah!"
"You're stammering. You're hiding something." She scrutinized me, making me squirm.
I blurted out," Colleagues want drinks tonight. Just for networking."
"Don't stay out late."
"Won't. It's been ages since we...you know," I chuckled.
She blushed and playfully glared at me."Hmph, you're always up to something. I'll keep you in line tonight!"
