Pick up or not?
Alaric panicked, immediately calling over Lyra. After rapid-firing the situation, he ordered: "Cover for me."
Lyra flashed an OK sign before answering with polished grace: "Hello, who's calling?"
Jade's breath hitched—a woman's voice?
And such a melodic one too.
Yet relief flooded her. Not him.
Had she imagined...?
Hah. Pathetic.
As if Alaric could ever—
What was she thinking, clinging to that dumb hope?
"Mr. Splendor, this is Jade. We met at Velvet Lounge—you saved me that night..." She'd prepared heartfelt thanks.
"Just looking out for others," Lyra countered smoothly. "We women can't tolerate those disgusting forced situations."
She side-eyed Alaric's thumbs-up.
Why's he hiding from his own wife?
"Would you...have dinner with me?" Jade blurted, then backped
