Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 242

Chapter 242 The Exes

Arden pulled out her phone immediately. “I’ll call and see if he’s free.”

Dorian stood to the side, expression darkening by the second.

As Arden went to dial, he reached out and stopped her hand.

Firushed

“Arden, seriously? You’ve got two guys here who can handle the shrimp. Why the hell are you calling your college crush?”

“And.” he added, eyes narrowing, “don’t you owe me dinner? Tonight’s perfect. You can pay up.”

Arden stared at him. “I did pay you back. I thought we were square.”

Dorian looked completely unfazed. “Back at the Sinclair estate–remember the antidote? You said you’d owe me dinner for that. Never happened. I haven’t eaten tonight. Backyard BBQ at your place works for

me.”

Arden was speechless. Yeah, she had said that. Back then, she just didn’t want to owe him for saving her life. She offered him dinner as thanks, but he got busy, and the whole thing fizzled out.

She blinked at him. “Didn’t you say it wasn’t necessary?”

Dorian took a step closer, gaze unwavering. “Well, I changed my mind. I’m starving. And tonight sounds like the perfect night for a homemade BBQ.”

She stared back, not flinching.

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Dorian added, “Ares and I can handle the shrimp and crab. No need to call Noah.”

“I’m still inviting him, Arden replied. “I owe him dinner too.”

They stared at each other in silence. Arden reached out to push Dorian’s arm away. The guy didn’t budge

an inch.

“Let go, she muttered.

Dorian looked down at her hand on his. He didn’t move. He just let himself feel it.

Arden smacked his arm again. “Let go.”

Her cheeks were pink. A little puffed from irritation He stared, then finally released her

But his fingers lingered, brushing where she’d touched him like he did’t want to forget

Then he leaned back lazily against the edge of the seafood tank Go ahead Call him

And Arden did. Noah picked up qui Ely, sounding genuinely surpriseil Ardent

“Hey, Noah Arden’s voice softened. She smiled, her dimples showing Beautiful And a hur

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Chapter 242 The Exes

Especially for the man now watching her from the sidelines.

Finished

Arden caught Dorian’s gaze and quickly turned her back to him, voice cheerful. “Noah, have you eaten yet?”

“No, just got off work actually.”

“I’m doing a BBQ at home with some friends. If you’re free, I’d love to have you over for dinner.”

“Really? I’d love that,” he said warmly. “Is this the new place you moved into?”

“Yeah. But we’re still at Capitol Plaza picking up groceries. Might take us a little while to get home.”

“No problem. I’ll head over now.”

“Drive safe, okay?”

She hung up, turned to Ruby, Isla, and Celine. “He’s in.”

Ruby raised an eyebrow at Dorian’s thundercloud expression and grinned. “Perfect. The more, the merrier.”

“Barry’s coming too,” she added.

Celine lit up. “Can I invite Cassian?”

Arden nodded. “Sure.”

Isla jumped in. “Then I’m inviting my brother.”

“Do it,” Arden smiled. “Let’s make it a full house.”

She pulled out her phone and called Caleb. “Hey, have you eaten?”

“Nope. Why?”

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“I’m grilling at my place–Ruby, Isla, Celine are here. Noah and Barry are on their way. You coming‘ You’ve never even seen my neighborhood.”

A voice in the background cut in: “Is that Arden?”

“Yeah, Caleb replied.

Arden laughed. “That Vincent with you?”

“Yeah. He just got back into town. Was about to drag me to a bar”

That reminded Arden of something. “Ask if he wants to come too. We’ve got wine, food–it’ll be fun. I’l even grab the fancy red you two like.”

On the other end, Caleb turned to Vincent. “Arden’s hosting a BBQ Invited a bunch of friends. Want to join?”

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Chapter 242 The Exes

Vincent chuckled. “Arden grills?”

“She does. Well–more like she watches my mom do it and helps out.”

Vincent laughed again. “Then I’m definitely in. I’ve gotta taste Arden’s cooking.”

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