"Well, you did get hurt while defending me. I owe it to you to make sure you're okay," Lilah replied swiftly.

They both understood the dynamics of their relationship.

She had already chosen Gerard, which meant she needed to maintain a certain distance from Trent.

Trent's expression shifted to a more serious tone. “So, I don't even get a shot at winning you over?"

Noticing Trent's expression harden, she knew he was taking this seriously. "Mr. Barton, you should remember from our previous talk that there's nothing romantic going on between us. Gerard and I are happy together. For the sake of our friendship and our business dealings, it's better if you refrain from pursuing this, or I might have to step back from our project together."

“But you aren't married yet, right? So, isn't there still a chance?"

Trent pressed, a hopeful tone in his voice.

"You're Looking at it all wrong. It's true, we aren't married yet, but it's only a matter of time. I appreciate what you did for me, but my gratitude isn't romantic," Lilah clarified with a gentle firmness.

“Understood, Miss Phillips. I'll back off. Gerard's a lucky man,"

Trent acknowledged, resigning himself to the reality, although he couldn't help but wonder if things would have been different had he met Lilah before Gerard.

She humbly answered, "Nobody's perfect, and I'm definitely not the greatest. You just haven't met your match yet."

Trent paused before responding firmly, “I disagree. There's nobody better for me than you, and no one else would get the same sincerity from me that you do.”

"Thanks, but please, focus your attention elsewhere from now on,"

Lilah replied, keeping her poise.

“Are we still friends?" Trent asked, looking for some comfort.

“Yes, we are," Lilah assured him.

Trent smiled, resigned to the new dynamics of their friendship, understanding that feelings could alter friendships.

"Could you help me handle the payment downstairs, as a friend?" he then asked, remembering the gift under his pillow.

She nodded and said, "Sure."

As she was about to leave, Trent called out, "Take my card. And it's hot outside, no need for a jacket."

"No need. I'll pay for it; it's not a lot," she noted, left her jacket on the sofa, and exited the room.

After Lilah had gone, Trent climbed out of bed and retrieved a small red gift box from under his pillow.

He discreetly slipped it into the pocket of Lilah's jacket, and then climbed back into bed as if nothing had happened.

Despite being turned down earlier, he still felt the urge to share his feelings.