Chapter 301

I saw he had his laptop open, working right there on my coffee table. “I just wanted to have lunch with you,” I said, keeping the real reason to myself—didn’t want Nathan to worry.

Nathan couldn’t hide his delight. He quickly closed his laptop and came over. “It’s about lunchtime. What do you want to eat?”

I shook my head. “Anything’s fine, as long as I’m eating with you.”

Nathan’s face flushed, clearly embarrassed but happy. He nodded, a little shy. “Alright, let’s head out and take a stroll first.”

“Sounds good.” I grabbed my bag and followed him downstairs.

His driver was waiting downstairs. Nathan asked him for a recommendation, and the driver suggested a nice restaurant.

“Got any plans for the afternoon?” Nathan asked me.

I was supposed to have work to do, but after that blow-up with Jared, my afternoon was wide open. “Nope,” I said.

Nathan immediately reached into the back seat and pulled out two tickets. “A friend of mine is holding a luxury watch exhibition in Shaville. He invited me before, and I thought I’d bring you along this time.”

“Awesome, I’d love to go,” I replied, nodding happily.

Seeing how sweet I looked, Nathan couldn’t help but reach out and run his fingers through my hair, then cupped the back of my head and pressed gentle kisses to my forehead.

During lunch, Nathan’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and then shot me a look I couldn’t quite read. “It’s Mr. Holcomb.”

My appetite took a nosedive. I said, keeping my tone neutral, “Answer it. If he asks where you are, just tell him the truth.”

Nathan gave me a baffled look. “Is something up?”

“It’s nothing. He’s just acting weird again,” I forced a smile as I spoke.

“Does he know we’re together?” Nathan asked, looking a little surprised.

“What’s the matter? Are you scared he’ll find out?” I leaned in, challenging him.

Nathan shook his head. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. I like you, so I should be open about it.”

“That’s the spirit.” I shot him a quick smile. “Go on, pick up.”

Nathan picked up right away. Just from their conversation, I could tell Jared was suspicious about me and Nathan.

“Mr. Holcomb, Victoria and I are still having lunch. Can we talk later?” Nathan kept his tone polite. “You two are divorced. She’s single now. Isn’t she allowed to date?”

Nathan shot me a look as he spoke, frowning. “You planning to get back together with her? I wouldn’t know. Maybe you should ask Victoria.” Nathan’s expression froze as he said this.

I put my fork down, rested my chin on my hand, and paid attention to what he was saying.

“She’s right here,” Nathan said, his tone unreadable. Then he handed me the phone. “Mr. Holcomb wants to talk to you.”

I took his phone and walked over to a quiet corner. Nathan had lost his appetite too. He leaned back in his chair, looking forlorn, lost in his thoughts.

“Victoria, so you really are with him,” Jared snapped the moment he realized it was me on the line.

“Yeah, and what of it?” I replied coldly. “Jared, the least you can do as my ex is respect my boundaries and stop interfering in my life.”

“How could you move on so fast? Were you already into him when we were still married?” Jared was fuming, his anger barely contained at how quickly Nathan and I got together.

“Isn’t it only fair? You and Tracy are practically made for each other, and I’ve got my own thing going on. Nobody’s losing out here,” I shot back, my words laced with mockery.

“Nothing ever happened between Tracy and me, but it did between you and Nathan. How could you just do that to me?” Jared’s voice was shaky, like he was about to fall apart.

“I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. I didn’t cheat, I didn’t have anything with him until after the divorce. What law did I break, huh?” I raised my voice. “Jared, you’re the one living in the past, not me.”