Chapter 124 The Not–a–Date Date
Chapter 124 The Not–a–Date Date
“Mm.”
James found Simon’s request perfectly reasonable.
He didn’t have any photos of Lily himself, but the bullying scandal she’d been involved in had gone viral. multiple times. Her pictures had been plastered all over the internet, so it was easy enough for him to find
“Her name’s Lily, She’s twenty–two, Ivan said she’s quite talented when it comes to voice acting
He paused, then added. “When I brought up the divorce, she didn’t object. I don’t know her well, but from what I can tell, she seems decent enough”
Lile
Simon’s eyes snapped up.
Same name
He snatched James’s phone and stared at the screen. The girl in the photo was smiling brightly, her features vivid and full of life–undeniably the Lily he knew,
He couldn’t believe it. The woman who married James.. was her?
Lily had always bullied Lizzy. Simon couldn’t stand her
But maybe it was because she’d shamelessly stolen his first kiss, or maybe it was something else–either way, the thought of James setting her up with Ashton, or even introducing her to other eligible bachelors. made his chest tighten unbearably
Ashton was a good guy.
And the friends he planned to recommend to James were also outstanding.
He couldn’t let them have their first kisses stolen by someone like Lily, could he?
The thought had barely formed when the words came flying out of his mouth.
“James, don’t introduce her to Ashton. I’ll go to the date tonight!”
As soon as the words left his lips, Simon’s usually pale, handsome face turned bright red.
His ears burned like they were on fire, and that flame spread through his whole chest like a wildfire.
His heart raced. His breathing fell completely out of sync
way, and he didn’t want
He kept telling himself that the only reason he agreed to go on this date with Lily wasn’t because he liked her or anything. It was just because she’d stolen his first kiss in such a disgrac her to ruin any other poor guy’s life
But no matter how many times he told himself that, he couldn’t get his heart to calm down
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Chapter 124 The Not–a–Date Date
James hadn’t expected his cousin to change his mind. A flash of surprise flickered in his eyes
And the second Simon caught that look, his embarrassment only deepened.
He couldn’t let James–someone he looked up to more than anyone–get the wrong idea. Desperate to explain, he rushed out, “James, don’t misunderstand. I’m only willing to go out with Lily because I just remembered how Grandpa and Grandma keep bugging me to start dating. It’s so annoying. I figure if 1 go ou with Lily, maybe they’ll finally get off my back.”
James was well aware of their grandparents‘ obsession with pushing the younger generation into marriage, so he didn’t overthink it.
“Alright,” he said calmly. “Since you’re willing, have dinner with her tonight.”
“Okay.”
Simon’s cars were still burning as he replied.
He really didn’t like Lily. But he was a man, after all. If they were going to have dinner, there was no way he’d let her pay.
It’s not like he couldn’t afford it.
With that in mind, he cleared his throat and said awkwardly, “Did she say what she wanted to eat? How about Gold Towers? I’ll have someone book us a private room there.”
Everyone knew Gold Towers was the most prestigious restaurant in Capital City. Eating there was a status symbol–it was nearly impossible to get a table.
What they didn’t know was that the restaurant was one of James’s properties, a venture he’d invested in back in his junior year of college..
Normally, it took a month’s notice to get a reservation Simon wouldn’t be able to get a room on such
short notice.
But James had already arranged one in advance. They could go tonight.
He didn’t want his cousin wasting time scrambling for a table, so he said simply. “I already booked it. I’ll drop Lily off and then leave. You two can talk”
Talk? With Lily? Who wants to talk to her?
Simon’s ears burned hotter, his pride flaring.
He only agreed to this date so Lily wouldn’t cling to some innocent guy, and so James could get that divorce finalized and go after his true love already.
There was no way he’d ever be interested in her!
James had work to do. Once everything was arranged with Simon, he headed back to the Luke Group
office.
Simon kept telling himself that dinner with Lily was nothing more than a formality. Who would want to pursue anything with her?
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Chapter 124 The Not–a–Date Date
But strangely, after James lelt the office, he found himself tauble to focus on his paperwork.
Before he realized it, he was standing in front of the full–length mirror in his office’s private bathroom.
The reflection staring back at him was a man with sharp features and a hint of wildness in his expression- striking and unrestrained.
Simon wasn’t vain. But after years of hearing compliments about his looks, he knew full well he wasn’t ugly.
It’s just… his clothes.
Black from head to toe. He looked like he was going to a funeral.
Expression blank, he began unbuttoning his shirt,
He hadn’t been slacking on his workouts lately–his chest and abs were well–defined. Not bad, really. Even if Lily was shameless enough to try stripping him again like she had that night outside the guest room, at least he wouldn’t embarrass himself in front of her
