Chapter 373
“I’ll be there in a minute!”
Hadley bit her lip, glancing at Denver with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I’ll be swamped tonight. There’s a little celebration party with the team later, too.”
It was inevitable—this was her first major performance.
Denver nodded easily. “I get it. Go on, don’t keep them waiting.”
Hadley hesitated for only a second before flashing him a grateful smile. “I’ll see you later, then!”
She turned, took a few running steps toward the crowd, but then spun back around, waving the bouquet and water bottle in the air. “Denver! Thanks again for the flowers!”
With that, she disappeared into the bustling sea of people.
Denver stood there, watching as she was swallowed by the crowd, his smile unwavering.
Barrie had witnessed the entire exchange unfold. With an amused sigh, he leaned back, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Ah, there’s nothing like the sweetness of young love.”
“And what about you?”
Eric, who had been silently observing, finally looked up, his expression impossible to decipher. “What about me?”
“Nah. Forget I asked.”
Barrie was just about to steer the conversation elsewhere when Eric’s voice cut through, low and tense, his jaw clenched tight. “What if I just snatch her away?”
The words escaped before he could stop them—a thought that had been smoldering in his chest all night, threatening to ignite.
Barrie stilled, momentarily thrown.
“What are you saying?”
His eyes darted toward Denver and Marshall, both nearby, blissfully unaware of the weight pressing down between them. He turned back to Eric, his voice dropping. “Wait… you’re not serious, are you?”
Eric exhaled sharply, a scoff escaping. “Of course not.”
Barrie let out a dramatic gasp, clutching his chest in mock distress. “My heart, Eric—so tell me, which part of that was the truth?”
Eric shot him a sideways smirk, laced with dry sarcasm. “What do you think? You said it yourself—they’re clearly drawn to each other. What would be the point, even if I snatch her away?”
Barrie studied his friend for a long moment before shaking his head with a sigh. “Exactly.”
He then clapped a hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Forcing things never ends well, my friend. Let it go. There are other fish in the sea.”
“Yeah.”
Eric gave a short nod before turning abruptly on his heel.
“Hey—where are you going?” Barrie called after him.
Eric didn’t break stride. “Out. Need a cigarette.”
If he didn’t smother the fire in his chest now, he wasn’t sure what it would push him to do.