I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 281

Arianna just stared, caught off guard. How did Samuel Thompson know she’d been to the Ward Estate with Bruce?

Samuel seemed to pick up on her surprise. “At the auction, Bruce said he was taking a girl home. Later that day, I saw him picking you up after work.”

So that was it.

She tried to explain, keeping her voice calm. “Mr. Thompson, you’ve got the wrong idea. I’m not Bruce’s girlfriend. He helped me out once, and then his mom wanted him to bring a girlfriend home, so I just pretended to be his for the night. It was just a favor in return.”

Arianna kept it simple, only sharing what was necessary. No point in saying more than she had to.

Samuel’s aloof expression faded, replaced by a faint, genuine smile he probably didn’t even realize he was showing.

“...Arianna…”

Suddenly, she felt a heavy weight on her shoulder. Bruce was mumbling, leaning against her again. Arianna’s cheeks burned, embarrassment flooding her face.

She tried to push him upright, hoping he’d snap out of it. “Bruce Ward, wake up. Where do you live?”

Bruce just kept his eyes shut, nestling his head into her shoulder and mumbling, “Arianna, don’t go…”

Oh, come on. The way he said her name made her skin prickle. They weren’t that close, not even remotely. He had no business calling her that so casually.

“Don’t call me Arianna,” she snapped, shoving him as hard as she could. “Bruce Ward, tell me your address!”

There was a loud thud.

“Ow!” Bruce whined, wincing as he rubbed his head. “Arianna, are you trying to kill your husband… mmph—”

What was he even saying? Arianna slapped a hand over his mouth, mortified. She could feel her whole body heat up with embarrassment.

She glanced at Samuel in the rearview mirror, forcing an awkward half-smile. “Mr. Thompson, maybe we should just take him to a hotel instead.”

The next morning, Bruce woke up with a pounding headache, pressing his fingers to his temples.

Arianna walked over, holding out a glass of lemon honey water. “You’re awake? Here, drink this.”

Bruce eyed the glass suspiciously. He was used to his family’s fancy hangover soup, not this homemade stuff.

Arianna caught the look and smiled. “It might not be as high-end as your usual cure, but it works.”

He took a sip, tasting it, then finished the rest in a few big gulps. “Is there more?”

“There’s a pitcher in the kitchen. Help yourself once you’re up.”

“So you’re leaving? Did you bring me here last night?”