Connor Quinn’s voice was deep. He stubbed out his cigarette, and wisps of smoke curled up from the ashtray.
Hearing this, Leo Lawson paused, then smiled and shook his head. "Can you tell how you got through those years Moira was with Shane Jennings?"
Connor Quinn replied tonelessly, "Fasting and praying in a lonely temple."
Leo asked, "Wasn’t it hard, holding back like that?"
A dark look flickered in Connor Quinn’s eyes. He gave a self-deprecating scoff. "What good would complaining have done? She loved him."
Back then, she loved Shane Jennings. Truly and sincerely loved him.
He was her entire world.
So what if he was miserable holding back?
Steal her away from him?
He was domineering, but he didn’t want to be that selfish.
Everyone has the right to pursue love. He had it, and so did she.
He couldn’t destroy her chance to love soone else just because he loved her.
Moira Sloan was a little surprised to get a call from Leo Lawson.
She glanced at Jean Hale, who was napping, then shot a look at Jade Quinn, who was on her phone. Stepping out of the hospital room, she answered, "Boss Lawson."
Leo got straight to the point. "I just found out—the guy who’s been pestering you is Connor Quinn from the tattoo shop?"
Moira Sloan raised an eyebrow. "You know him?"
Leo admitted freely, "We’ve t, but we’re not close."
Moira said, "Oh."
’Good, as long as they’re not close. Otherwise, her lie would be exposed almost imdiately, and that would be mortifying.’
Hearing the nonchalance in Moira’s voice, Leo pressed on. "He hasn’t been bothering you these past couple of days?"
"He hasn’t," Moira said.
’These past two days, he’s been acting like he wants to draw a line in the sand between us.’
’Forget pestering , he’s barely even spoken to .’
’Sotis she wondered if she’d imagined it—that intensity from a few days ago, when he looked like he wanted to devour her, to absorb her into his very being.’
At the thought, Moira couldn’t help a derisive little laugh.
’That damn jerk. He can really turn his feelings on and off at will.’
Just as Moira was thinking this, Leo said from the other end of the line, "n don’t give up that easily. It’s all an act."
Moira snapped back to the present. "Hmm?"
Leo said, "I heard he moved into your place?"
Hearing this, Moira laughed. "You even know about that?"
’Does he have a tracking device on or sothing?’
Leo lied smoothly. "I dropped by the tattoo shop today. Zachary Curran, one of the guys there, ntioned it."
Moira narrowed her eyes.
’She thought they’d been discreet, but it’s already common knowledge?’
When Moira didn’t answer, Leo continued, "Look, if I’m going to help, I’ll see it through. I’ll pick up so groceries tonight and co over for dinner as your boyfriend. That should kill any ideas he has for good."
Moira chuckled. "So kind of you?"
Leo said, "It’s mainly so you don’t have to bother about this again."
That reason was believable enough.
’No one wants to be constantly roped into soone else’s problems, wasting their own ti.’
Moira didn’t argue. "Fine."
’She didn’t want this tangled ss with Connor Quinn to drag on either.’
After hanging up with Leo, Moira arched an eyebrow.
’Who would’ve thought? He seems so aloof, but he’s actually quite warm-hearted.’
’Most people would run for the hills to avoid this kind of drama, yet he actively offered to help.’
’Looks like I misjudged him.’
’Maybe people from small towns are just fundantally more genuine than city folk?’
Even now, Moira had yet to learn a universal truth: You can run from the city’s gas, but the country plays them too—and the rules are even more complicated.
anwhile, Leo hung up and looked up at Connor Quinn. "All set."
Connor Quinn was leaning against his desk. He grunted in acknowledgnt, then changed the subject. "I’ve never asked you this, but you were doing so well working for Hex Farrell. Why did you suddenly leave?"
At the ntion of Hex Farrell, Leo got up from his chair and scoffed. "That’s ancient history. I’ve long since forgotten the reason."
With that, Leo turned to leave. "Alright, see you tonight."
As he watched Leo leave, Connor Quinn’s well-defined fingers tapped against the desk, his gaze darkening.
「That evening.」
Moira rode ho in Connor Quinn’s car. It was only as they were about to head upstairs that she said, "My boyfriend is coming over for dinner tonight. You don’t mind, do you?"
Connor Quinn looked down at her. "Should I make myself scarce?"
A smile played on Moira’s red lips. "No need."
Then, feigning casualness, she added, "My boyfriend and I are very happy together. I told him you’re just my tenant. He trusts completely."
Connor’s expression was blank. "Mm."
A short while later, they took the elevator up to the apartnt. Leo arrived just monts after they walked in.
They say three won can make a drama, but with two n and one woman, you’ve got a real main event.
Leo walked in, and Moira leaned languidly against the entryway cabinet to chat with him. They had barely started talking when Connor ca out to greet their guest.
Seeing Connor so naturally take the groceries from Leo’s hands, invite him to sit down, and even pour him a glass of water, Moira couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
’Isn’t this atmosphere... a little off?’
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