Chapter 34

A few good-looking blond guys actually came over and tried to chat her up. "Hey babe, we're way fitter and a lot cleaner than that guy..." Vanessa froze for a second, only then realizing they'd totally misread the situation. She glanced sideways at the scruffy man-the tips of his ears had turned red, and his eyes darted everywhere but toward her. "Uh... you guys got the wrong idea. I'm just talking business with him, that's all," she quickly clarified. But clearly, none of them were buying it. Better to stop being gawked at like some circus act and get moving. She turned to the man, her tone firm. "So, you coming with me or not?" The man quickly gathered his belongings and, a bit sheepishly, followed Vanessa out of the park toward her hotel. Just as they stepped into the lobby, David came down from upstairs and visibly relaxed the second he saw her. "Thank God, you're finally back." Vanessa was still annoyed about Leander's sudden return and David, unfortunately, had to absorb some of