I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 282

“Mrs. Ward called and told me you were drunk. She wanted me to come pick you up.” Arianna let out a sigh, her expression showing just how little she enjoyed playing messenger, especially when he didn’t remember a thing. She made sure not to mention Samuel Thompson. No point stirring up old drama between the two of them.

Bruce took a long drink of lemon honey water and finally started to feel human again. Some blurry memories from last night floated back, but he still wasn’t sure. “I… didn’t say anything weird, did I?”

Arianna almost laughed out loud. Didn’t say anything weird? He’d said plenty. But she wasn’t about to let him know he’d gotten to her, even if it was just with words. She clenched her teeth and said, “No.”

Bruce looked surprised. He was well aware of his own reputation. When he drank, he usually made a mess of things in more ways than one. Hard to believe he’d behaved himself this time.

“I guess Alexander and I didn’t drink as much as I thought,” he muttered, mostly to himself.

So, he’d been out with Alexander. Arianna’s mind jumped right to the engagement party, the one Alexander skipped, and then to the airport where he’d been quietly watching Natalie leave.

She tried to sound casual. “Why didn’t Alexander show up at his own engagement party?”

“He had something important to do. Besides, it was just an engagement party. Not the wedding,” Bruce replied, brushing it off like it was nothing.

Arianna blinked, surprised. Wasn’t Camila White supposed to be his friend too? He sounded like he couldn’t care less about her, only taking Alexander’s side. But she didn’t dwell on it. Bruce said Alexander had something important going on… and her mind flashed back to that image of Alexander standing alone at the airport, watching Natalie disappear into the crowd.

If he cared so much, why hurt her in the first place?

“Men are the worst,” Arianna snapped, grabbing her bag and heading for the door.

“Hey, wait.” Bruce jumped out of bed and blocked her way. “Why are you mad at me? I didn’t do anything.”

A sudden heat rushed through him, and he started to lean in.

Arianna’s eyes widened as his face got closer. “What are you doing?”

Just before his lips touched hers, she shoved her palm against his chest, stopping him cold.

Bruce snapped out of it, suddenly clear-headed. He quickly helped her stand upright. The second he let go, Arianna backed away, putting plenty of space between them. She glared at him, her cheeks flushed with anger.

Bruce’s face twisted with regret. “I… I didn’t mean to. I just…” The words trailed off. He’d just gotten caught up in the moment. There was something about her that pulled him in, whether he wanted it or not. But the way she looked at him now, he knew better than to keep talking.

“Bruce Ward, I’m not one of your flings. I already did you a favor. From now on, let’s keep our distance.”