Seth's burning passion was instantly extinguished by her quiet confession.

He had no defense against that.

And he had no right to argue.

Noreen deliberately looked away, her voice softening. "If you're not okay with this, you can walk away right now."

The choice was entirely his.

Seth's response was to grip her hand tighter, his grip unyielding. "I'm in."

"Even if I never get an official title, I'm willing."

A sudden, intense heat bloomed in Noreen's chest, burning away the alcohol's haze.

Summoning the last shred of her rationality, she pulled her hand from his tight grasp. "I need to go inside."

"Will you think of me tonight?" he asked, desperate to hold onto her lingering warmth.

Noreen didn't look back. "No."

Seth wasn't deterred. He smiled into the darkness. "I'll think of you."

...

Claire was still awake, curled up on the living room sofa binge-watching some brainless romance reality show, completely invested in the fabricated drama.

When Noreen walked in, Claire briefly tore her eyes away from the screen. "You're back?"

"Yeah." Noreen kept her head down, toeing off her shoes in the entryway.

"I left some soup in the pot for you. Drink some, it'll help sober you up and soothe your stomach."

"Okay."

Noreen headed to the kitchen, poured herself a bowl, and sat at the dining table, taking slow, small sips.

"You can't keep drinking like this at these events. You're almost thirty, not twenty-five anymore. Your body won't handle it. Have Sophia find you a new assistant," Claire advised from the living room.

Noreen used to have an assistant, but she had promoted her earlier in the year, leaving the position empty.

She had meant to hire a replacement, but she just couldn't find the right fit.

She had trialed three people, and none of them worked out.

The desk had been empty ever since.

"I've been looking, but I haven't found anyone suitable. Finding a good assistant is harder than finding a good man," Noreen sighed.

It was the honest truth.

Claire had gone through four assistants in a single year not too long ago.

She understood Noreen's frustration

perfectly, but still pushed her.

The next one might eep

charm." fo

FindNovel.net

"Alright."

the

After finishing her soup and washing up, Noreen went to check on Beau.

The kitten was growing rapidly. After just a week of being adopted, he was visibly larger.

And far more clingy.

The second Noreen walked into the room, Beau ran over, meowing loudly and rubbing against her ankles.

Claire turned off the TV and followed

her in. "Beau's almost out of formula. If order it online, it won't get here for two days. I don't want him to run out, so I'll just run to the pet store tomorrow. Where did you buyit last time? ? grab the exact same one."

"You'll have to ask his dad. I have no idea," Noreen said, immediately realizing her fatal slip of the tongue.

Claire narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Who exactly is Beau's dad?"

Noreen's mind raced, desperately searching for a terrible excuse.

"Do not tell me his dad is Seth Harcourt!"

"...Why don't you ask him?" Noreen held the kitten up like a shield, giving Claire her

most innocent, helpless look.

Beau perfectly mimicked her, letting out a tiny, innocent meow at Claire.

Claire was speechless.

She rubbed her temples. Between the two of them, she was getting a massive headache.

Ultimately, Claire didn't need to go out and buy the formula.

Seth delivered it personally the very next morning.

He arrived right when Claire happened to be out.

Noreen had found a note from Claire saying she had rushed out for some movie audition.

Seth hadn't just brought the kitten formula; he had brought a freshly made breakfast for Noreen.

After she ate her fill, her brain finally started

boot up. She looked

him suspiciously "How did one

know Claire wasnt home

"I guessed."

"With luck that good, you should be buying lottery tickets."