Fitch''s fingers paused on the screen, and a vivid memory shed through his mind - the day he had found Ozzy, the scrappy little


    pup hiding and trembling, trying to escape attention.


    The thought of Ozzy softened his expression. Initially, his arm had hung limp at his side with no intention of offering support, but


    now it instinctively wrapped around her waist, holding her close in a protective embrace.


    His other hand was scrolling through his contacts. He was at a friend''s low-key gathering and hadn''t brought his driver. Now, he


    needed to call him to get Zoey home.


    Just as he called a number, a group not far approached, led by Tyler, who wasughing with someone beside him, a cigarette


    dangling from his fingers. Whatever joke had been told, it had Tyler''s eyes crinkling with mirth, the mole on his nose more


    pronounced in his amusement.


    Instinctively, Fitch enveloped Zoey in his trench coat just as the call connected.


    "Head over to the Sunset Hotel to pick someone up."


    No sooner had he spoken than he heard Tyler''s voice.


    "Fitch?"


    Tyler''s eyes narrowed as he saw the woman in Fitch''s arms, "Who is this?"


    If Tyler found out it was Zoey, he''d never hear the end of it.


    "A date from a matchmaking setup.”


    The Haskins family had indeed been busy ying cupid for him, listing a fewdies of his age and social standing.


    Tyler pped a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, recognizing the telltale signs of a date gone sideways, looking to make an


    honest man out of him.


    "Tough break, but you actually seem to tolerate her - that''s rare, man."


    Others called out to Tyler, and he waved him off, "I''m off to dinner with some investors. Guess things with Wendy didn''t pan out,


    huh? Since you''re not pushing away thedy in your arms, why not give it a shot?"


    Fitch remained silent, and as Tyler stepped forward to get a better look at the woman, Fitch interjected, "Not interested in trying.


    If you''re into her, be my guest.”


    "Pass, I''ve had my fill of hasslestely," Tyler chuckled, stepping back and walking away.


    Fitch was rxed slightly with his arm still around Zoey. Checking his phone, he noted the driver should arrive any minute now.


    Zoey''s hand still rested on his lower back, sending a wave of heat through him.


    The alcohol was getting to Zoey, her throat burning like fire, "Really need a drink of water."


    He heard her murmur but only a voice of reply came, “Put up with it.”


    Where did he look for water at the moment?


    “Thirsty,” she looked up, totally tipsy, unable to figure out who the man was.


    “So thirsty, want water.”


    Fitch averted his face, pretending he hadn''t heard.


    Many people passed by, and asionally there were some recognizing Fitch and greeting him, others boldly asking for his


    contact information.


    Feeling increasingly irritable, he pulled Zoey behind a column for some privacy, making her stagger a couple of times.


    Fitch''s patience was wearing thin, and he was tempted to leave her there, but then he remembered the incident at the Haskins


    family''s ce.


    Looking down at her, their eyes met


    just as she looked up. geet


    resist, his figgetios bFisRed er


    ele spot he had pped


    that day, leaving a red mark. Please


    read the original content at


    NovelDrama.Org.


    Her broken look had seemed to hold a thousand words, yet she settled for a simple, "Forget it."


    His fingers stroked the spot gently as he asked, "Does it hurt?"


    Caught off guard by his question, he quickly pushed her away. Zoey stumbled backward against the column, her head buzzing


    from the impact.


    "I''ll get you some water," he said abruptly before walking away.


    A convenience store a few hundred meters away sold bottled water, but he left Zoey behind.


    The jolt of pain from the collision


    helped Zoey regain some ri


    nced oun) ceali EGS wasn''t


    the Fest om anymore and wondered


    how she had gotten here. Please read


    the original content at


    NovelDrama.Org.


    Had she cked out? Leaning on the column, she felt her stomach roiled. Nearby, after a spat with Evelyn, Murray was on his


    phone, his tone icy.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Stop making a scene, Evelyn. I''ve


    told you, she''s just my SCE


    started tyvaekoHOw long i you


    Ep ANS Evelyn, I''ve had enough.


    Don''t think I''m oblivious to your


    antics." Please read the original


    content at NovelDrama.Org.


    He ended the call, chest heaving with anger, and looked up to see Zoey leaning against the column.