Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 35

"What are you doing here?" Quennel asked, frowning at Victoria as she suddenly got into his car. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face. "Are you following me?"

"Of course not."

Victoria turned away from the window. "I called Julie, and she said you were busy working and hadn't had time for dinner. I was worried you'd upset your stomach, so I brought you something to eat."

It was a box of fried raviolis from Quennel's favorite shop, which happened to be nearby. Victoria opened the container.

But the smell, which he usually loved, now made him feel slightly sick.

It was probably his foul mood, which had killed his appetite.

Quennel pushed the box aside. "I'm not hungry. Put it away."

With that, he pressed a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes wearily.

Victoria hesitated for a moment, then leaned against his chest.

When Quennel didn't push her away, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against him.

The scent of him was intoxicating, a fatal attraction for her.

Victoria knew that Stephanie had been her real benefactor and that Quennel's name had just been on the paperwork. She had always known.

But she would rather be an ungrateful wretch and use it as an excuse to get close to him.

Because she had truly fallen for him, and she saw no other way.

Sensing Victoria's touch, Quennel's eyes snapped open, a cold glint in them.

"Julie, pull over at the next intersection and let her out."

Julie, who was driving, glanced in the rearview mirror. "Yes, sir."

The man was silhouetted against the light, exuding a cold aura. When Stephanie turned, all she saw was Jonathan enveloped in a dazzling glow.

Her eyes were still moist, blurring her vision. She instinctively blinked, feeling the overwhelming power of his presence.

"Sorry, I'm sure that was a sight."

Stephanie quickly composed herself, suppressing the sting in her eyes. She looked up, forcing a smile. "Coffe? My treat."

Jonathan's eyes were locked on her own, which were clearly swollen from crying. His voice was low, like chilled beer. "Who drinks coffee this late at night?"

Stephanie pressed her lips together. "Would you prefer a drink, then? We can discuss the acquisition over a glass of something?"

Jonathan's eyes remained fixed on her, his face half-hidden in the shadows. "Just got out of the hospital for acute gastritis, and you've already forgotten, haven't you? You want to go drinking? Planning on spending another night in the hospital?"

Unbelievable. Drowning her sorrows over a man and trying to drag him along as her drinking buddy.