Chapter 41

"Who says married women can't come to places like this?" Elaine fired back without missing a beat. "I'm here to meet my girlfriend, not some boy toy." As she spoke, she nodded toward Claire standing beside her. Claire gave him a polite smile. Ethan didn't return the friendliness—probably because Claire was friends with Audrey. Elaine smirked and teased him on purpose, "Besides, you come here all the time acting like you're on a mission to party, yet you're still single. What, eternal bachelor?" The word "bachelor" landed like a slap—Ethan's face contorted with irritation. He snapped, "Audrey, don't push it!" Claire looked between them, confused but curious. "Audrey, is he a friend of yours?" "We are not friends!" Ethan cut in before Audrey could answer. Elaine turned to Claire and said casually, "Let me have a word with him. I'll come back in a minute." Then, without ceremony, she grabbed Ethan by the collar and dragged him off to the side. Ethan didn't even realize what was happening