He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 296

Talia had been playing drinking games with Chatwin all night and was already deeply intoxicated, her words slurring together.

Scarlett nodded in agreement, clinking her glass against Talia's. They both quickly downed the rest of their drinks.

A sudden wave of intense dizziness washed over her. Assuming she was just exhausted from the long week, she leaned heavily back into her chair.

After finishing her own drink, Talia also slumped over, completely passing out.

Julian and Chatwin had stepped away to smoke in a quiet corner. When they returned, they found the two women fast asleep in their chairs.

Chatwin smirked. "Look at these lightweights. Guess tonight's party is ending early."

Julian nodded, checking his watch. "Yeah, it's about time to pack it in anyway."

The parking lot was about a kilometer away from the campsite.

He stepped closer and gently nudged them, but they were completely unresponsive, dead to the world.

Julian sighed, raising an eyebrow at his friend, and pointed toward the parking area. "You take one, I take the other?"

Chatwin nodded and walked straight toward Scarlett. Just as he instinctively bent down to help her up, an arm blocked his path.

Julian shot a subtle glance toward Talia. "I've got Scarlett. Just make sure the little one gets home safely."

A deeply knowing smile spread across the lawyer's face. He patted his friend's shoulder. "I knew it. You definitely still—"

"Don't start," Julian cut him off quickly, his expression turning razor-sharp. "Don't jump to conclusions. It's bad for her reputation. It doesn't matter what people say about a man, but once a woman gets a label slapped on her, she'll never wash it off."

Through the haze, Scarlett barely registered his soothing voice above her. She wanted to respond, but no sound came out.

Her body was growing rapidly hotter. Her cheeks burned, her throat felt agonizingly dry, and the strange, restless heat deep inside her was quickly becoming unbearable.

Julian pulled his hand back, preparing to get into the driver's seat.

Suddenly, her arms shot up, wrapping tightly around his neck. Her voice was breathy and erratic. "I... I'm thirsty..."

His heart skipped a beat. Recovering quickly, he tried to gently pry her arms away so he could grab a bottle of water from the console.

But before he could move, she arched up toward him.

Her face was flushed crimson, her breath scalding hot. Like a starving kitten finding a bowl of cream, she pressed forward and smashed her lips desperately against his.