Scars Of A Broken Bond

sharp retort, she countered, “I doubt you’ve ever had a blind date yourself.”

Just as Lance was poised to respond, the mobile phone resting on the table abruptly chimed with an incoming call.

In a hushed tone, he raised a hand in a gesture of silence, then answered the call, his voice adopting a softer cadence. “What’s going on, Keilani?”

Keilani was a girl’s name.

Bettie remained uncertain about the nature of their conversation over the phone. She observed Lance Listening attentively before reassuring her, “Don’t fret. I’ll return in a few days and bring you some gifts. Alright then. Bye.”

Concluding the call, he placed the phone back on the table and cast an amiable smile in Bettie’s direction. “You were saying?”

replied, her eyebrows raised as curiosity got the better of her.

lips as he scrutinized Bettie intently,

sighed wistfully, remarking, “Alas, I can’t fathom why she’s so besotted to

of any traces of envy, Lance pressed his lips together,

often received accolades for her discernment,” he

Bettie

found himself

waitstaff commenced their choreographed ballet of serving, presenting an

the wine’s secrets, allowing its crimson

Bettie, on the other hand, indulged in two glasses with