After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back

Jolie didn't like the way Gavin's gaze lingered on her.

It was heavy, oppressive, and carried an intensity that made her inexplicably tense and uneasy.

"Mr. Cooper, aren't you busy these days?" she asked, attempting to shift the atmosphere.

""Not too busy," he replied, his tone flat and indifferent.

Jolie was speechless.

How could someone be so adept at killing a conversation?

Still, for the Quin family, he was a distinguished guest. She couldn't afford to appear impolite or neglectful, or her parents would never let her hear the end of it. Being grounded would be the least of her worries. Yet, she didn't want to engage with Gavin more than necessary.

For one, she didn't like him. He was rigid, dull, and utterly devoid of emotional value.

And for another, she refused to play into Daisy's obvious plans. It was clear that her parents wanted her entangled with Gavin, but she had no intention of letting that happen.

Caught in the push and pull of these conflicting feelings, Jolie found herself staring blankly at her wine glass, lost in thought.

She didn't even notice when Gavin moved closer, until suddenly, her chin was tilted upward by the light press of his fingers.

Her eyes

back. "Mr. Cooper, what are you

had he suddenly gotten so close? And what was with this intimate

about how this

contemplative, and carried an air of deliberate purpose.

resisting the urge to roll her eyes

else just because he was standing there?

arrogant, self-absorbed

dislike for

smile, she replied, "Apologies, did you say something? I was

just find a topic and

remained fixed on her, his voice dipping slightly.

heart skipped a beat. How was

been so careful, masking her disinterest, yet

couldn't admit it. To acknowledge it would be to offend him-and that wasn't a risk she could afford. Keeping her composure, Jolie let out a soft laugh. "Mr. Cooper, you're mistaken. I'm not avoiding

nonchalant as if the conversation no longer interested him. Jolie couldn't tell what he was thinking or feeling,

tried to decipher his intentions. "When are you planning

statement hit