Chapter 48
If it hadn’t been for her mom’s friends calling her up, egging her on to fill the missing fourth spot for a
game, Jocelyn would’ve totally lost it.
“Man, I’m so sorry, my mom is just…” Jocelyn didn’t even know how to exin it.
Harrison chuckled shaking his head, “I get it. Honestly, it’s pretty much the same drill when I head
home.”
“You get the marriage nudge too?”
“Yep.”
Jocelyn let out a soft sigh, “Same world, same kind of moms
“There’s something I’m not sure if I should ask,” Harrison nced at Jocelyn.
“What’s up?”
“That guy the other day, he wasn’t your boyfriend, right?” Harrison quickly added, “If it’s not cool to
answer, just let it be.”
Jocelyn pursed her lips, then cracked a smile, “Nope, he wasn’t.”
Harrison frowned slightly but knew better than to pry further. He didn’t peg Jocelyn as someone without
scruples, and that dude didn’t look like he was tied down. Maybe they just didn’t get the parental
thumbs up?
After Harrison walked a bit further, his phone rang.
“Sorry, gotta take this call. Harrison answered, called out ‘Mom’, and then wore a look of someone
being schooled. Clearly, he wasn’t brushing her off, but he looked pretty helpless
After hanging up. Harrison shook his phone helplessly. That was my mom, setting me up on a blind
date. Looks like I’ve gotta rush to it right after my nends tomorrow.”
Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.
Jocelyn’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and she said sympathetically. “Well, then I just gotta wish
you luck.”
Harrison chuckled, “Why’s that?”
“Cause if you nail it, no more blind dates, right?” Jocelyn said, “Only way to get some peace is to make
it work.”
Harrison nodded in agreement, “Here’s hoping your good luck rubs off on me.”
The city was getting crowded, and Jocelyn checked the time – smack in the middle of rush hour.
Thinking Harrison was leaving tomorrow, she said, You’re heading out tomorrow, so let me show you
some hospitality. How about I treat you to barbecue?
Harrison raised an eyebrow, “Barbecue? In this heat?”
“There’s never a wrong time for barbecue, hot or cold,” Jocelyn nced at her phone. The reviews for
this ce online are pretty solid. Wanna give it a shot?”
“Sure.”
They arrived at the barbecue restaurant to find it packed.
Luckily, they snagged a spot just as they walked in.
Considering Harrison wasn’t a local and might not handle the heat, Jocelyn ordered the barbecue with
mild spice
The scorching weather plus the spicy barbecue meant you’d be sweating buckets with just one bite.
Harrison, craving the spice but intimidated by the red chilies, dared to try a slice of meat on Jocelyn’s
encouragement. Instantly, his eyes teared up from the heat.
Jacelyn quickly grabbed him a drink.
Hanson said embarrassingly, ‘So humiliating.”
“Not at all Totally normal. Jocelyn reassured.
Wathing Jacelyn tackle the spicy meat without batting an eye. Harrison felt his addiction being
rekindled.
you could say he was a glutton for punishment but also a masochist for the spice.
Not far from the restaurant, Harrison plopped down on some steps, pale as a ghost, looking rough.
Hold on a sec, Jocelyn dashed to the pharmacy across the street, grabbed some medicine liquid, and
handed him a bottle, ‘Drink this, you’ll feel better”
At this point, Harrison would’ve downed arsenic if it promised to ease the fire in his belly.
The medicine was bitter, but it did relieve his stomach difort.
Looking up, sses fogged up, he said, “Sorry for making you take care of me.”
Hearing his weak voice, Jocelyn felt truly quilty, “I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have taken
you to hot pot.”
“It’s my own weak stomach, not on you.” Harrison said, bent over taking deep breaths on the steps.
Jocelyn thought arguing now was pointless, “Wanna head to the hospital just to be safe?”
“No, I’m better now. A night’s rest and I’ll be fine,” Harrison said, still smiling and reassuring Jocelyn as
he leaned against the elevator wall, “Looks like my stomach isn’t ready to marry into your hometown
yet.”
Jocelynughed. “Well, you’ve got two choices: don’t marry a girl from here or train your stomach
more.”
“I’ll take you up on that training, and you’re not allowed to back out.”
“Deal, I’ll make sure you get an iron stomach.”
They reached his floor, and Harrison almost stumbled out of the elevator. Jocelyn quickly steadied him,
“You alright?”
“All good, all good, Harrison waved it off, Just got a bit woozy.”
Jocelyn didn’t let go until they reached his room.
After swiping the card and opening the door, Harrison gently removed her hand, leaning on the door
frame, “This is good.”
Jocelyn raised an eyebrow.
“If youe in, it’d be inappropriate, Harrison said with a smile, “Thanks for everything today. Next
time I’m here, I’ll be stronger than today.”
Jocelyn felt touched by his resilience and smiled back, “May your stomach be as strong as your will
next time.”
Jocelyn nced at him trying to y it cool and wasn’t quite sure what to say, “Well, you take care, and
hit me up if you need anything.”
“Sure.”
Jocelyn stepped into the elevator, thinking to herself that Harrison was actually a pretty decent guy.
A true gentleman, suave, super polite, and he’s got respect for women to boot. He’s got all the makings
of a catch. probably has a bunch of girls crushing on him, no doubt.
She walked out of the hotel, phone in hand ready to book a ride, and just then, her eyesnded on that
silver Porsche parked by the hotel entrance. The guy standing beside it had beautiful eyes, but they
gave off a chilly vibe even in the scorching summer heat that made you shiver.
Melvin was leaning against the car, puffing on a cigarette, the way he blew those smoke rings was
wickedly charming and alluring, but also screamed trouble.
Jocelyn had no idea how long he’d been there, whether he’d seen her and Harrison enter the hotel
together, or maybe even before that.
ne walked over, “What are you doing here?
Melvin turned his head, took a drag, and slowly exhaled, fixing his gaze on her with an air of
nonchnce but deadly serious. ying detective”