Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 696

She was simply craving a change of pace.

When she received a text from Clarence, she felt it was high time to set the record straight.

"Hey Clarence, given you're buds with Ford and I'm Jane's bestie, I don't wanna sound too harsh. I appreciate the gesture, really, but I can't reciprocate, sorry. You'll find your right match, no doubt. As for me, I've got a thing for this younger guy. Please, let's not make a big deal out of it. We're just friends, nothing more."

Even her dad couldn't sway her decisions, let alone Clarence.

The only voice she might consider was Jane's. Jane had always been her ride-or-die, sharing every high and weathering every low together.

Sure, she cared, but she wasn't the type to mother her, to control every move she made.

Life, with its ups and downs, was for living firsthand.

If she could have chosen, she’d rather have been born a stray dog than their daughter.

"Still, thanks for your concern, Clarence. Let’s just stay casual friends, okay? If not, no hard feelings."

Initially, Clarence was attracted to Christine for shallow reasons.

But over time, he genuinely wanted to get serious.

Christine wasn't like the others he'd met before.

He thought not being outright rejected meant there was still a chance.

Yet, this time, she had turned him down completely.

"I'm done with love," he declared to his group chat before heading out to drown his sorrows.

He summoned a couple of drinking buddies.

Struggling with the air's aroma, making his head spin and stomach churn, Dailey inquired about Christine, showing her picture along with one of Merritt.

Though the cinema was bustling, the attendant remembered the striking girl, calling her 'sister' fondly. The allure of a possible May-December romance was hard to forget, especially when confronted with Dailey's imposing yet pale figure.

"Screen three, you can pay by scanning here," the attendant directed.

After paying, Dailey made his way down, the darkness of screen three engulfing him.

It took a moment to adjust, but he was soon scanning for that familiar silhouette.

...

Christine arrived at the cinema a tad late, the best spots already taken.

Unexpecting Merritt's company and too indifferent to seek elsewhere, she settled for a quiet corner nearby.