I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 24

Sophie shot a glare at Jessica. In the brief time she'd been gone, her former coworker had practically aired her entire dating history.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Lancaster, but I'm spoken for," Sophie replied, feigning a coy smile.

"Is that right? Guess my intel is out of date,"

Leo chuckled dramatically, though his eyes blatantly drifted down to her left hand. Her fingers were completely bare—no engagement ring in sight.

"He's the reason I moved away,"

Sophie lied through her teeth, mentally vowing that the second she landed in Houston, she was buying a fake diamond ring. Playing the devoted girlfriend was always a solid defense mechanism against creeps.

A sudden, morbid thought flashed through her mind: What kind of ring did Luke buy? How had he proposed to Eileen?

Even as the thought formed, her eyes involuntarily darted to Eileen's left hand.

With only Jessica sitting between them, she had a crystal-clear view of the massive diamond glittering on Eileen's finger.

It was the classic six-prong Tiffany setting—the exact ring Sophie had spent countless hours drooling over at the jewelry counter.

Women possessed a terrifying sixth sense, and just as Sophie was caught staring, Eileen abruptly turned her head and locked eyes with her.

Panic flared in Sophie's chest for a split second, but she quickly masked it with an awe-struck gasp. "Your ring is absolutely gorgeous."

"Thank you! Luke has always had incredible taste."

Eileen beamed sweetly before turning to rest her head against Luke's shoulder.

Sophie's gaze flickered past his face. Catching Leo smiling at her out of the corner of her eye, she flashed him a tight smile before dropping her gaze to the plates of food, staring at nothing in particular.

A sudden burst of raucous cheering erupted from Gwen's table. Mr. Weaver was trying to goad Gwen into linking arms with him for a shot.

The man had a kid in kindergarten, yet he was acting like a total sleaze.

Sophie shot her friend a worried glance.

Married or single, it didn't matter—the second these men got some liquor in them, their true, filthy colors bled right through. If they couldn't cop a feel, they'd resort to making gross, suggestive comments.

They dangled contracts like carrots, luring hardworking, desperate girls into their twisted little traps.

Leo was thoroughly enjoying the show, clapping his hands in amusement. Suddenly, he turned his grin on Sophie.

"How about it, Ms. Sullivan? Should we do a shot too?"

Sophie tore her eyes away from Gwen and stared at him.

He held up his glass, bending his arm suggestively. Sophie froze in horror—he wanted to link arms.

He shot her a sickeningly suggestive wink.

A wave of pure revulsion slammed into her, and the alcohol in her stomach threatened to make a reappearance.

"Leave the poor girl alone."

Luke's voice sliced through the tension. He lifted his own glass and tapped it against Leo's.

Seeing Luke down his drink in one go, Leo couldn't exactly back down. Laughing, he tossed his own back as well.

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