Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 21

WILLOW

Is there no other way out of here?

There was, in fact, none.

I briefly considered the logistics of breaking a window. Could I claim it was an accident? A fainting spell? No. That would be pathetic and expensive.

So I did the only thing a woman did with pride—I straightened my posture, smoothed down my blazer, and neutralized my expression.

Millie’s voice floated toward me like cheap perfume.

“Mr. Hale,” she purred. “It’s been a while since you’ve come here.”

“We were just saying how rare it is to see you around the office these days,” Samantha added in a similar tone.

“I’ve been occupied,” Tristan replied evenly.

Millie laughed like that was a personal invitation. “Occupied people still need breaks. Do you want to get some coffee? It’s our break.”

I thought he was going to agree. He invited me for a drink casually after all.

However, to my surprise, he said, “I’m quite busy.”

“Aww,” Samantha said in exaggerated disappointment. “Not even ten minutes?”

“Or maybe we can set a time. Tonight, maybe? Or after work?” Millie added.

So, it seems she likes him.

Correction: A lot of people liked Tristan Hale.

He was wealthy. Intelligent. Unattainable in a way that made people delusional.

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It doesn’t matter. It absolutely does not matter.

Finished

I stepped out from behind the corner and hastened my steps–not so obviously, of

course.

However, I felt Tristan’s gaze brush against my peripheral vision.

And I made my way quicker.

“Willow!”

My eyes widened.

Millie and Samantha both turned toward me at the same time. Their expressions shifted instantly–surprise first, before turning into curiosity.

I froze for a second before forcing my body to move again, not looking at any of them.

I made it exactly two steps before Tristan closed the distance between us and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

I looked up at him, my brows pulling together in silent outrage. What was he doing?

He looked down at me with an expression that was almost pleading.

Help me.

I frowned harder.

“I have to go, too,” he said casually. “Are you going to the parking lot?”

Before I could answer–before I could even inhale-

“Great!” he declared.

Millie and Samantha stepped forward slightly, effectively blocking our path.

“You two know each other?” Samantha asked, her smile no longer sweet.

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Chapter 21 Coffee

“No,” I said immediately.

“Yes,” Tristan said at the exact same time.

I closed my eyes. He was making my situation worse!

Finished

Did he not know I already had a bounty on my head? That women in bathrooms were already inventing fictional scandals about my employment? If they were to find out that we knew each other, I was afraid chaos would ensue!

“We’ve known each other for a long time,” he continued smoothly, tightening his arm around me to make his statement more believable.

Millie’s eyes darted to his hand on my shoulder. Meanwhile, Samantha’s lips thinned.

“I have to go now,” Tristan added. “Deadlines.”

And then he dragged me down the hallway toward the parking lot, his grip firm and unapologetic.

I kept my expression neutral, but internally I was composing a strongly worded speech about him. The moment we stepped outside and the glass doors shut behind us, I pushed him away.

“What was that?” I demanded.

A small smirk appeared on his lips.

“Those two wouldn’t leave me alone otherwise,” he said lightly. “Thanks for saving me there.”

I stared at him.

“You should have just gone with them,” I muttered, scanning the lot for Rocco’s

car.

He studied me for a second longer than necessary. “Are you jealous?”

I snapped my head toward him. “Are you insane?”

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Chapter 21 Coffee

He chuckled. “I’m joking.”

I clicked my tongue and resumed looking for the car.

After a couple of seconds, I finally found it.

I took a step forward.

His fingers wrapped around my wrist.

I looked down at where he was holding me, then back up at him slowly.

“Have coffee with me.”

I didn’t let it show how my heart skipped a beat at his sudden invitation.

“I already have plans,” I said evenly.

“With who?” he asked.

“None of your business.”

He arched a brow, a slight look of annoyance in his eyes. “Cancel.”

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