No More Waiting, She Chooses Love novel Chapter 258

After hitting send on those words, I quickly followed up: "Gift from a young hunk."

I stared at the sent message, waiting for Ernest's reply, but one second, two seconds, three seconds passed, and nothing came through.

What's going on? Is he mad? Ignoring me?

My fingers hesitated over the keyboard, ready to ask him what's up, but after typing out a whole sentence, I paused and deleted it.

If he's getting upset over someone else sending me flowers, how is he any different from Conrad back in the day?

Back when I was in school, I wasn't exactly short on admirers, not to mention those who missed the memo about Conrad and me while I was working.

Every time it happened, Conrad would lose it. He wouldn't just confront the guy; he'd blame me for being too "approachable."

To avoid his temper, I've bent over backward more times than I can count, even going so far as to distance myself from any male friends who could potentially stir up misunderstandings.

I refuse to go through that again.

So, I tossed my phone aside and got back to work.

About ten minutes later, my phone rang. It was Ernest, calling directly.

I frowned and picked up, "What's up?"

"Why aren't you replying to my messages?" Ernest's voice buzzed through the phone, dripping with a sense of being wronged.

I blinked in surprise, opened my messages, and saw he had sent several.

[I'm not feeling great, but I know it's not your fault.]

[It's okay for others to send you stuff, but you're not allowed to like it.]

[And don't say things like that; it makes me anxious.]

His messages overflowed with a sense of hurt; I hardly knew what to say.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Ernest pressed.

I found my voice, "Not sure what to say."

"I'm not mad, just... a bit jealous," Ernest admitted honestly.

I couldn't help but laugh, "Jealous? I'd love to see what Mr. Collins looks like when he's jealous. Snap a photo for me, will you?"

"What are you having for lunch?" Ernest smoothly changed the subject.