Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 653

When Camila Davis heard those words, her heart couldn’t help but melt a little.

Dennis Williams pulled her into his arms and asked, “So, your best friend made a special trip over here just to rat me out?”

Camila couldn’t help but chuckle at the word “rat.” “Hardly! She’d never do that. If anything, she wants us to work out more than anyone.”

“She just worries about me,” Camila added. “Before she left, she kept reminding me to make sure we keep in touch and not let things get stale.”

“Oh really?” Dennis raised an eyebrow, playing along. “So even when you’re not around, there’s someone keeping an eye on me?”

Camila glanced at his long fingers gently toying with her own, laughing. “Yep. Be scared! She’s like my own personal surveillance camera. If anything happens, she’ll be the first to let me know.”

Dennis nodded thoughtfully. “Hmm… Sounds like I need to be on my best behavior then.”

Seeing how he went along with her teasing, Camila’s smile grew even brighter.

Truthfully, she never doubted Dennis. If she’d chosen to be with him, she’d trust him, no questions asked. Especially with a guy like Dennis—if he wanted to mess around, he’d have had plenty of chances before her. Her teasing was just that—a little playful banter.

Now that she’d had her fun, Camila shifted gears and asked, “You had a few drinks tonight. Is your head hurting? Want me to make you some hangover soup or grab some painkillers? That way you won’t feel rough in the morning.”

Dennis shook his head, gently refusing her offer. “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t drink much, and I feel fine.”

Camila studied him—his eyes were clear, and aside from looking a bit relaxed and cozy, he seemed perfectly alright. If she hadn’t smelled the whiskey on his clothes, she wouldn’t have even guessed he’d been drinking.

Suddenly curious, Camila asked, “Have you ever actually been drunk before?”

Dennis replied, “Not at work events, no.”

Back in their hometown of Cabinda, everyone was far too respectful—or maybe intimidated—to ever try and get him wasted. Besides, Dennis had always had a strong sense of self-control. If he drank, it was just a nightcap before bed to help him sleep.

Camila caught the key word in his answer. “So, not at work events—but maybe outside of them?”

“It’s funny,” she said, “Larry always comes across as so put-together. I would’ve thought he was a model kid growing up.”

Dennis shook his head, no hint of guilt about selling out his friend. “No way. That guy was a wild one—a real handful, always climbing and running around like a monkey. He only calmed down after his family went through tough times. In the Adams family—and honestly, all over Cabinda—people didn’t really accept him, and it forced him to grow up fast.”

Camila nodded, understanding. “I see. That makes sense.”

She followed the thread, asking about Dennis’s grandfather. “When you rushed back from Harrisburg to Cabinda, it wasn’t just about your mom’s business shares, right? You mentioned your granddad’s health too. I never asked—how’s he doing now?”

She wasn’t just making conversation; she genuinely cared, and had even thought about helping with his grandfather’s health if she got the chance.

Dennis replied warmly, “Don’t worry, he’s okay. No big issues, just the usual stuff that comes with getting older. The main thing is to keep his emotions steady—no big shocks or excitement. Otherwise, his heart acts up and he gets chest pains.”

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