He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 1039

Yardley's jaw tightened, his voice dripping with disdain. "Watch your phrasing. I asked to see Scarlett tonight. Not you. There is no 'we.'"

Before Julian could reply, Yardley pressed his advantage. "But since you insisted on crashing, I don't mind getting you a fork. Just realize that you're imposing."

Julian opened his mouth to fire back, but Yardley instantly pivoted to Scarlett, his tone shifting to total professionalism. "Scarlett, what we need to discuss involves highly classified Flynn Group strategy. I'd appreciate it if unauthorized personnel could step away for a moment."

Julian and Scarlett exchanged a quick, loaded glance.

Both of them sensed the exact same thing: Yardley felt completely different. The suffocating, rigidly self-righteous aura he used to carry was gone. He was sharper, bolder, yet somehow more human.

"Fine. I can step away," Julian conceded, deciding not to turn it into a public measuring contest. "How long? Ten minutes?"

Yardley didn't hesitate. "Or you can just sit at another table. I'll pay for your dinner, just give Scarlett and me the time it takes to eat."

As her ex-husband, admitting that out loud tasted like ash in Yardley's mouth.

There was a time when Scarlett was his wife, sleeping in his bed, entirely devoted to him. Now, he had to aggressively negotiate just to get twenty minutes alone with her.

Julian rolled his eyes. "I don't need you to buy my dinner, Yardley."

"Then do me a favor and pay for ours while you're at it, so you aren't always freeloading," Yardley shot back smoothly.

Julian actually choked on a laugh. "You—!"

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