Chapter 207
“You know…” He paused, his nerves making him hesitate as he mustered the courage to speak. “I didn’t know you were related to the Flynn family.”
With a gentle smile, Hadley turned to him and said, “Yes, after I lost my own family at fifteen, Nyla welcomed me into hers.” She looked at him with curiosity. “You weren’t aware of that?”
Back in the day, Hadley’s reputation was notorious throughout Srixby. Even those who hadn’t met her were familiar with the whispers about her.
“I wasn’t.” Denver shook his head, explaining, “I was abroad for my education during my teens and have only just returned.” That explanation seemed reasonable to Hadley.
“I see.” She nodded, then returned her attention to her meal.
“Ahem.” Denver cleared his throat, his discomfort apparent. He asked further, “About you and Eric… are things okay between you?”
Hadley regarded him with a hint of bewilderment. What exactly was this question about?
Hadley was taken aback. What was Denver trying to ask?
Realizing his question might seem too intrusive, especially since they had just met, Denver regretted his bluntness. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have pried… It’s just…” What was he trying to say?
Denver was simply curious if Hadley still had connections to Eric, or if any old feelings remained.
Feeling his cheeks heat up, he struggled to articulate his deeper questions.
“It’s alright, really. Given your time away, it’s natural to have questions,” Hadley reassured him with a smile.
She continued, “It’s well-known around Srixby that he can’t stand me. Honestly, he downright hates me.”
This confirmed what Denver had suspected. He had pieced together her situation through snippets of conversation with Marshall.
It dawned on Denver that the purpose of this birthday party was indeed to introduce Hadley to someone new.
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“Speaking of which—” Denver remembered something suddenly. “Nyla mentioned your recent return from studying abroad. Where was it?”
“Blathe.”
Denver’s expression brightened. “Really? I spent time in Blathe as well! What school did you attend? Perhaps we were near each other.”
Hadley let out a soft laugh. “I was studying dance at the Chauncy Academy of Arts. I don’t suppose you were studying arts, so we probably never crossed paths.”
A touch of disappointment crossed Denver’s face. “You’re right. I attended the University of Blathe. Strange we never ran into each other, being in the same city and all.”
“University of Blathe, huh? That’s quite impressive!” Hadley responded with a smile.
Denver encouraged her with a thumbs-up. “You’re definitely among the elite.”
He responded with a humble shrug. “The university is prestigious, but I wouldn’t call myself an elite.”
After a brief pause, Denver asked again, “Hadley, if it’s alright to ask, why do you perform at Galant?”