As Leonora stood beside her, the ever-gentlemanly Taylor asked, “Where does your friend live? We can drop her off first.”
Joselyn quickly waved her hands, catching the drift. “No need, I drove here.”
The idea of intruding on their daytime romance made her cringe. Becoming a third wheel was the last thing she wanted.
Taylor, ever so polite, and Leonora, more than willing, turned to Joselyn and said, “Join us for dinner! We’ll drop you off afterward.”
“Come on, just go! Go enjoy your love life,” Joselyn said, bluntly encouraging Leonora.
Taylor couldn’t help but laugh, glancing at Leonora, who looked like she could burst into flames with her cheeks so red. She desperately signaled Joselyn to zip it.
Leonora’s flustered look was Taylor’s favorite. He couldn’t resist teasing her, “Leonora, your friend sure is bold.”
Leonora forced a tight-lipped smile back at him.
Seeing Taylor’s look, Joselyn decided to add fuel to the fire, “Mr. Taylor, Arielle was just saying how amazing you are in bed. Treat her well.”
“Joselyn!!” Leonora nearly exploded.
Was Joselyn trying to get herself banished from their sight forever with her provocations?
Turning to Taylor, Leonora said, “Taylor, Joselyn tends to exaggerate, please ignore her.”
Joselyn protested, “I wasn’t! We were just talking about this!”
Leonora quickly pushed her, “Just go, please, stop making a mess here.”
If Joselyn kept this up, Leonora feared she wouldn’t be able to face Taylor.
“I’m going, I’m going... I won’t…”
“Stop talking.” Leonora cut her off, wishing she could just disappear.
But Joselyn wasn’t the least bit embarrassed.
Men need to be praised with a bit of flair, she thought. Direct compliments pale in comparison to those relayed through others.
Praising Taylor’s prowess to Leonora was Joselyn’s way of ensuring he’d treat Leonora even better, hoping to leave an unforgettable mark on their relationship, regardless of its future.
Once Joselyn left, Leonora and Taylor were alone in the car, both too embarrassed to make eye contact. Leonora had hoped Joselyn would help smooth things over with Taylor at dinner, but her friend had only stirred the pot more. Now, she dreaded going to work the next day.
Leonora, remembering a time Taylor left her bedridden for days, blushed even more at the thought.
She finally gathered the courage to sit by him, only to find Taylor still amused. “Joselyn is quite outspoken, don’t take her seriously,” she said awkwardly.
Taylor, squeezing her cheek, replied, “Leonora, you’re pretty good at giving compliments.”
Leonora was speechless. Hadn’t she just told him not to take it seriously?
As Taylor leaned in for a kiss, Leonora caught a glimpse of his arousal, which made her burst into laughter, looking away.
“Leonora, what are you laughing at?” Taylor asked, enjoying her amusement.
“I’m not laughing,” Leonora managed to say, trying to contain her laughter.
Taylor, undeterred, pulled her closer, whispering suggestively, “Leonora, let’s try it out? I’m clean.”
Leonora turned her head away, pretending not to understand.
Despite her feigned ignorance, Taylor didn’t press further, simply holding her hand.
Leonora, shocked by his boldness in public, exclaimed, “Taylor, everyone can see us! What are you doing?”
Leonora nodded.
She then opened a chocolate box, taking out a piece.
Taylor thought she was going to eat it herself, but instead, Leonora held it up to his mouth, saying, “This chocolate is really good, try some.”
Taylor wasn’t much of a sweet tooth, and on the rare occasions he did indulge, it was usually something from Leonora’s selection.
This time, as Leonora offered him the chocolate, Taylor bit into it.
Leonora, full of anticipation, asked, “It’s sweet and delicious, isn’t it?”
Taylor nodded, “Yeah, it’s as delightful as you, definitely sweet.”
Noticing his comment, Leonora picked up his water bottle, opened it, and handed it to him, saying, “Then you should have some water.”
Leonora looked so earnest, it tugged at Taylor’s heart, making him just stare at her.
Frozen, staring at Leonora, marriage suddenly seemed incredibly appealing to him.
Distracted, Taylor wasn’t paying attention to the road, causing Leonora to panic, “Taylor, don’t look at me, watch the road while you’re driving!”
Brought back to reality by Leonora’s warning, Taylor refocused on the road ahead.
Realizing he had been distracted, Leonora frowned, “I shouldn’t have chatted with you; I shouldn’t distract you while you’re driving.”
Feeling guilty, Taylor felt an even stronger urge within him.
For a moment, he craved the idea of marriage, of starting a family.
Glancing at Leonora again, he reassured her, “It’s not your fault, I was the one who got distracted.”

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: 30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband