Chapter 99


    On the car ride home, Jocelyn clutched a bouquet, telling herself not to look back.


    But the moment the car pulled away, her gaze, disobedient as ever, caught a glimpse of Melvin sitting


    by the window, alone and looking rather forlom.


    “What’s up?” Sitting next to her in the backseat, Harrison instantly picked up on her mood.


    Jocelyn shook her head, withdrawing her gaze. “It’s nothing.”


    Harrison did not press further.


    A wise man knows when to leave well enough alone.


    When they arrived at the hotel, Harrison did something different this time. Instead of saying goodbye


    outside, he walked her to her door Standing at the threshold, Jocelyn looked down at the flowers in her


    arms. “Thank you.”


    “Boyfriends giving girlfriends flowers is as natural as Thanksgiving turkey; you don’t need to thank me,


    Harrison said with a hint of reluctance. “I had a great time today because you made it feel like a real


    date.”


    Jocelyn blushed at his words She, too, had felt the flutter of romance.


    Back when she was with Melvin, everything was so secretive they could never have been this open


    about their rtionship.


    “Yeah, I had fun too, Jocelyn admitted, her heart touched by his care.


    There was an awkward pause before Harrison suggested, “You should get some rest”


    “You too,” Jocelyn replied, swiping her key card, the door clicking open.


    Harrison lingered, not moving an inch.


    Jocelynughed softly. “You should head back. Your ride’s waiting, isn’t it?”.


    He nodded but still did not move.


    Their eyes met again, and Jocelyn could not help butugh.


    “Are you going or not?” She teased, finding him endearing in his hesitation, like a teenager in his first


    romance.


    A bit embarrassed, Harrison pushed his sses up his nose and bit his lip. “I don’t want to go.”


    Jocelyn paused.


    “I just mean I don’t want to go. I’m not saying I want to stay,” Harrison quickly rified, seeing her


    hesitation. “I just don’t want to leave.” Jocelyn stepped aside,ughing. “You’re not new to this, are


    you?”


    “No,” he confessed earnestly. “But it feels like the first flush of love.”


    Jocelyn knew that feeling well-the excitement, the longing, the fear, and the desire for more.


    “Got work tomorrow,” she reminded him, stepping back into her room. “You better head back.”


    “Okay.” Harrison took a step back, understanding the night had to end. “We’re officially a couple, right?”


    Jocelyn nodded.


    Harrison’s eyes, visible behind his sses, betrayed his hidden thoughts, and Jocelyn, an adult herself,


    understood him perfectly.


    She hugged the flowers tighter, feeling a nervous thrill.


    She was torn between refusing and epting what was unspoken between them.


    I’m leaving, Harrison finally said, stepping back. “Good night.”


    His retreat brought Jocelyn a sense of relief. She replied, “Good night.”


    He took a couple more steps away. “You can close the door.”


    Jocelyn retreated further into her room, her hand on the door frame. “Get some rest


    “Yesh Harrison gave her a parting smile. “Close the door.”


    She slowly shut the door, his figure shnaking from view


    Jocelyn leaned against the closed door, releasing a breath she had not realized she was holding, her


    hand over her racing heart.


    She was shocked


    She had not expected her heart to race for Harrison.


    The next moment, her phone vibrated.


    Opening it she saw a message from Harrison on Facebook – a photo from the restaurant, snapped by


    the waiter.


    Looking at their image, Jocelyn felt the joy of being in an open, honest rtionship.


    [Mind if I tweet this?) Hamison had asked


    Startled, Jocelyn knew what that meant. She did not want to leave herself any outs, so she simply


    replied. (Go ahead ]


    Soon after, she saw his tweet: (Commemorating our first date ] with the photo attached.


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    He heart raced as she liked the post and prepared to tweet the photo herself. Hesitating, she drafted a


    caption but paused before posting. In the end, she chose to save the draft but did not post it.


    Lying on the couch and staring at the ceiling, her thoughts were a mess.


    But the image of Melvin sitting alone by the window was vivid in her mind.


    Why was he here?


    Why was he staying at the same hotel?


    Why was he at that restaurant?


    For a brief, absurd moment, Jocelyn felt like the heroine of her own story, with every man’s appearance


    tied to her.


    Sheughed at herself for being so conceited.


    After herughter faded, Jocelyn opened Twitter again and posted the saved draft, [To a better


    tomorrow.]


    Her phone rang almost immediately. It was her dad. Surprised they were still up, she answered and


    was swept up in their questions.


    She did not hide the truth, openly admitting her rtionship with Harrison.


    Her parents’ joy was palpable, even over the phone. Their happiness affirmed Jocelyn’s choice.


    Someone approved by her parents might not be the best, but they must be good.


    After hanging up, another call came in.


    It was Preston.


    Seeing the familiar number, Jocelyn answered.


    ‘You’re really over my uncle?” Preston sounded shocked. “Didn’t he go to see you? Didn’t you meet?”


    Jocelyn’s heart skipped a beat but feigned calm. “He came to see me?”


    “Yeah. When he heard I say you were on a business trip to Berry City, he went there too. I asked


    Zephyr, but he said they have no business in Berry City. I figured he went to see you. Preston was


    frantic, “Do you really not love him anymore?”


    Jocelyn dodged his question. “It’s nine o’clock. Shouldn’t you be in bed by now?”


    “I was about to, but now I can’t sleep.” Preston’s voice was tinged with urgency. “I swear, Uncle hasn’t


    been seeing anyone, definitely not


    Willow!”


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, trying not to let the conversation affect her calm. “Preston, you’re a


    student, and right now, what’s most important is focusing on your studies. You’re about to start high


    school in half a term.”


    “I know that!” Preston insisted, ready to strike a deal. “Just answer this one question, and I’ll go straight


    to bed”


    “Ask away


    “Do you really not love my uncle anymore?” He asked, his voice shaking slightly as he awaited her


    answer.


    Jocelyn gazed out the window, feeling a tightness in her chest, but her voice was resolute, “Let’s not


    talk about this anymore. I have a boyfriend now. Now, off to bed with you.”


    Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call


    it was not that she did not love him anymore; it was that she could not continue to love him.


    And now more than ever, she should not


    Her Twitter was abuzz with likes. Teachers from school, parents of students, Quinta, and old friends


    and ssmates all sent their best


    onlyn did not reply to eachment individually but sent out a nket response, Thanks, everyone, for


    the blessings


    sohod hew th wave then shother how meaCNYA DOG