Chapter 383
Chapter 383:
Dim light filled the room while empty wine glasses lay scattered across the coffee table. Only one man occupied the space, shadow wrapping around him where he sat in the corner with one leg crossed over the other, the darkness sharpening the severity of his presence.
Faint light brushed his features, and Kailey caught sight of a sharp, sculpted face that held no warmth. Color drained from her cheeks as she retreated half a step without thinking.
A slow voice cut through the silence just as she prepared to leave. “Since you came all this way, take a seat p>
Tension locked her fingers together, and confusion rushed through her chest. How could it be him?
Yet it made sense. He and Kyson were friends. He had studied photography and had lived abroad for many years. Every clue aligned too neatly to ignore. Until that moment, she had never imagined that the friend Kyson had mentioned could be him.
Kailey’s thoughts scattered when footsteps rose behind her without warning. Kyson entered with Lambert and Rayden, and he slid an arm around her shoulders with easy familiarity. “Why are you still standing? You two already know each other p>
ѕ𝘁𝗼𝘳𝗂еѕ 𝗒оu 𝘄o𝗇’𝘵 p𝘶𝗍 𝖽ow𝗻 𝗈𝗻 𝗀аlո𝗈𝗏е𝗹ѕ.𝗰𝗈m
Those casual words drained what little color remained in Kailey’s face. A fragile smile surfaced as she dropped her gaze. “We do p>
From the shadowed corner, the seated man appeared to curve his lips at her, yet the darkness erased the full expression and left only a glimmer that refused to explain itself.
Kyson sensed something was off, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint it. His brows tightened as his eyes rested on Kailey for several quiet seconds before he steered her toward the couch and helped her sit. “Lyman wasn’t meant to be available, but a sudden work trip brought him here, so he decided to stop by. He’s leaving tomorrow.” Shared childhood had bound the five of them together through years that felt impossible to separate.
Distraction clouded Kailey’s features, and she answered with nothing more than a distant smile.
“Now that we’re all in one place, we should drink properly.” Energy burst from Lambert as he reached for a bottle and lifted it high. “Since Kyson tied the knot, this calls for a celebration. Kailey, you should drink with us p>
Confusion flickered across Kailey’s face as she blinked at him. “Why p>
“Why?” Lambert repeated. “Did you miss how careful we were yesterday? Kyson warned us not to bother you, and we behaved the whole time. Doesn’t that earn a toast from you p>
Hesitation caught Kailey mid-breath, and her fingers drifted toward the glass he offered without thinking.
Kyson’s hand cut in before she could touch it, closing around her wrist and guiding it away. “Aren’t you asking too much? Courtesy says you should drink first p>
Irritation tightened Lambert’s jaw as he shoved the drink toward Rayden and filled a fresh glass instead. “You should drink too p>