No More Waiting, She Chooses Love
Chapter 705

Although Dustin had proven his patience with me over a decade, it didn't stop me from teasing him a bit now and then.

"Sorry, Dustin, I got held up," I said as I sat down, offering a rather insincere apology.

"It's okay. As long as you're here, I don't mind waiting," he replied with that cliché line, like something out of a romantic comedy.

Honestly, it was pretty awkward. I busied myself with arranging the silverware to avoid eye contact.

He waved over the waiter for me to place my order, but my stomach was still full from the braised meatballs I had earlier, leaving me with no appetite. Still, it would be rude not to eat, so I ordered something light on a whim. When the food arrived, there were several additional dishes I hadn't ordered-Dustin had ordered them for me.

"Dustin, we're just here for a simple meal. This is too much; it's wasteful," I pointed at the dishes, invoking the sentiment of "every bit counts."

"I ordered your favorites. Just try a bit of everything, and whatever we can't finish, we'll take home," Dustin said, sounding practical.

Since he had already ordered, arguing seemed pointless, so I just went along with it.

"Felicia, how about some wine?" Dustin suggested.

His suggestion reminded me of the last time I pretended to be drunk. I had played the part so convincingly that I might as well have had selective amnesia about that night. Faced with Dustin's hopeful and slightly probing look, I agreed, "Sure, but you'll have to drive me home if I drink too much."

"Of course," he said, gesturing for the waiter to pour us some red wine.

We didn't have much to talk about, but he managed to keep the conversation going by reminiscing about our childhood, including how I often ignored him when with Conrad. Mentioning Conrad brought back the image of him coughing up blood. I wondered if it was stress-related or if there was something more serious going on with him. "Have you seen Conrad lately?" I asked.

"No, he's avoiding me now. We're like enemies; he'd probably walk the other way if he saw me," Dustin admitted.

I feigned embarrassment, "It's all my fault. I'm the reason you two are at odds."

"It's not your fault. He took you for granted. If anyone's to blame, it's me... for not keeping my feelings in check, Dustin said, looking into my eyes with a tender expression.

en Narugi

SUMS

Before, his gaze never affected me, but now, knowing his feelings, it made me uncomfortable.

It was strange. I never felt this way when Ernest, Conrad, or even someone like Allen looked at me. Dinner was an exercise in discomfort, and I resorted to pretending to be drunk to bring it to a close.

With my previous experience in acting drank, I played the part flawlessly. So, when Dustin offered to drive me home, I put on my act, "l don't want you to take me. I want Ernest to come get me."

While dialing Phipps's number on my phone, I slurred, "Ernest, baby come get me. I've had too much to drink... Hurry, I can barely stand... I'm waiting, mwah..."

Dustin held onto me, letting me tease Phipps on the phone. After hanging up, he said, "Felicia, snap out of it. Ernest is gone. That man is not Ernest."

I stared at him in shock, then pushed him away, "You're lying. My Ernest is fine. He'll be here soon... You're just jealous of him, aren't you?"

"Felicia, maybe I need to change my approach with you. Make you forget Ernest?" Dustin's voice turned cold.

A shiver of danger ran through me, and I turned to run.

Dustin caught me in an instant, pulling me into his embrace, and kissed me.