His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 38

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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**

**Chapter 38**

After Thomas made his exit, Yesenia felt an overwhelming urge to leave the gathering behind. She shot Marina a quick wave, a gesture that felt more like an obligation than a farewell, and deliberately ignored Lavern, who stood nearby. The decision to snub him felt liberating, even if her heart raced with a mix of defiance and anxiety.

Lavern’s expression darkened as he wrapped up his small talk with the remaining partners, a forced smile plastered on his face. He turned his attention to Marina, his voice dripping with coldness. “Marina, I think it’s best if you keep your distance from her from now on.”

Marina cast him a sideways glance, arching an eyebrow. “My friendships are my concern, Mr. Ross. Maybe you should focus on your own circle instead.” With that, she pivoted toward her car, determination etched on her features.

In a sudden, aggressive motion, Lavern lunged forward, his hand gripping her wrist with surprising force. “You’ve had a drink; it’s not safe for you to drive. Just get in with me.”

Marina glanced down at her wrist, now flushed from his grip, and methodically peeled his fingers away, one by one. “No thanks. A car filled with the vibes of other women? That’s enough to make anyone nauseous.”

The remaining partners exchanged furtive glances, the tension thick in the air as they witnessed the unfolding drama.

Lavern furrowed his brows, frustration simmering beneath the surface, yet he forced out a laugh that felt more like a mask than genuine amusement. “Come on, Marina, you’re being ridiculous. I just had the car detailed; there’s no way there could be any trace of other women.”

Marina shot back with a frosty chuckle, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Oh, right; so you scrubbed it clean to hide your tracks?”

A wave of guilt crashed over him, and the haze of alcohol muddled his thoughts, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Marina’s striking gaze swept over him, filled with disdain as she dismissed him entirely. With a swift motion, she ducked into her car and locked the door, leaving Lavern standing there, irritation flickering across his face like a dying flame.

Moments later, he found himself pressed against her window, his voice low and urgent, desperation creeping in. “Marina, everyone is watching us; do you really have to humiliate me like this? I’m the man here, out making deals, and you’re stripping away my dignity…”

Marina retorted, “Dignity is something you earn, not something handed out like candy. And let’s not forget, nobody actually invited you tonight, did they?”

Lavern’s expression darkened in an instant, a storm brewing in his eyes as rage bubbled to the surface.

After seven years together, Marina had mastered the art of pushing his buttons, striking right at the core of his vulnerabilities.

Watching him lose his composure so quickly, emotions erupting like a volcano, surprisingly lifted her spirits. A faint smile curved her lips as she rolled up the window, a barrier between them that felt both satisfying and final.

He raised a hand as if to pound on the glass, but a bystander, sensing the brewing storm, intervened. “Easy there, Mr. Ross. A sharp woman like Ms. Finley is bound to have a little spark; it’s completely normal.”

“Yeah, spot on,” Lavern muttered, his voice strained.

Marina started her engine, smoothly maneuvering past him. In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of Lavern, seething with frustration, while she remained calm and detached, a coolness enveloping her.

It was hard to pinpoint the exact moment everything had shifted, but the once modest and courteous Lavern had transformed into a man consumed by greed, lust, and liquor, his former refined charm now a distant memory.

Perhaps this was the universe’s way of forcing her to see the unvarnished truth of who he was. The more frantic and irritable he became, the more her attraction waned, making it easier for her to envision a life without him.

She had managed to maintain her composure through his betrayal, finding clarity in the pain that had once felt insurmountable.

Lavern remained rooted in place, watching as her car disappeared into the night, a heavy silence settling over him. As the alcohol haze began to lift slightly, he could still feel the weight of his failure pressing down on him.

The onlookers continued to offer unsolicited advice. “You know how women are; they just need a little sweet-talking,” one suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

Lavern furrowed his brow, a sense of defeat glimmering in his eyes.

Marina had driven off without a second thought, and deep down, he felt an unsettling certainty that he might never be able to make amends with her again.

Hyman and the rest of the crew emerged from the restaurant, quickly assessing the situation and weaving through the remaining partners to flank Lavern.

“Lavern, you’ve been with Marina for years; you know her inside and out. It just takes a little extra effort to smooth things over. Besides, your lives are so intertwined that even if you make a mistake, she’ll probably forgive you just to keep those benefits intact,” Hyman said, his tone casual yet earnest.