Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Back then, even if it was about work, he'd always wait at least ten or fifteen minutes before texting back.

["Yeah, just keep an eye on her."]

That wasn't because he thought Clara would cause trouble-he just worried she might run into someone she couldn't handle or get herself into something she couldn't fix.

Aiden honestly didn't know what to say most of the time. He could only wish them luck and hope for the best.

Dylan, though, hadn't felt this chill in ages. Maybe never. He was so relaxed, he didn't even know what to do with himself.

He'd never been the type to scroll through social media, but today, he found himself mindlessly swiping through his feed, even liking a few posts here and there.

People who got his likes were so spooked, they started reaching out to Jackson for answers.

"Dude, Mr. Dylan just liked my post. What's up with that? Our company doesn't have any recent business with Ferguson Corp, right?"

Jackson just rubbed his temples, trying not to laugh. "Don't overthink it. He's just in a weird mood today."

After three calls in a row, everyone was on edge over Dylan's sudden activity. Was Ferguson Corp about to buy them out? Was Dylan hinting at something big? Was he really that bold?

Jackson had enough. He called Dylan straight away.noveldrama

"If you're that bored, why not come out for a drink? Seriously, it's better than sitting at home making everyone panic with your random likes."

"Clara won't let me go out."

Jackson had to bite back his irritation, jaw clenched.

"Dylan, you are seriously whipped. Name one guy in our circle who's got it as bad as you. If people find out, you'll never live it down."

Dylan was flipping through one of Clara's old graphic novels, sounding completely unbothered. “She just cares about me."

Jackson finally caught on every word out of Dylan's mouth was basically showing off.

He sighed hard and muttered, "Whatever, do what you want."

He was about to hang up when Dylan added, "Maybe you should cut back, too. Drinking's not good for you."

For a second, Jackson felt like he'd been struck by lightning. Dylan, actually worried about him?

What, was the world ending? Was the sun rising in the west? Or maybe love really could turn a guy into someone totally new.

Jackson's lips twitched a few times. He didn't even know what to say, so he just grumbled, "Yeah," and hung up.

Sitting in his chair, he couldn't shake

the strange feeling. Dylan was on cloud nine with Clara-probably about to make things official while his own marriage was still a disaster.

Not long ago, he'd tried to file for divorce, only for his dad to throw three whiskey glasses at him. Since then, he'd kept his head down, not wanting to send the old man to the hospital with rage.

Seriously, what was up with that woman? How did she manage to win his dad over so completely?

The more he thought about it, the more restless he felt.

Fine. If Dylan wouldn't go out for a drink, he'd go alone.

When he got to the bar, he spotted Nicholas right away.

Nicholas was sitting at the bar instead of hiding out in a booth-tall, broad- shouldered, impossible to miss.

Jackson was about to say hi when he saw a pretty woman strutting over to Nicholas, hips swaying, eyes locked on him. Clearly, she was interested.

Jackson almost wanted to step in. After all, Nicholas had it bad for Scarlette- other women might as well be invisible to him.

But Jackson had underestimated just how clueless Nicholas could be.

The woman stopped right in front of him, flipping her fragrant hair over her shoulder. She'd been eyeing Nicholas for a while-he was ridiculously good-looking and gave off that intense, mysterious vibe.

"Hey there, handsome. Mind buying me a drink?" she purred.

Nicholas was already in a bad mood, frustrated over Scarlette. He'd just tried calling her again-no answer. She'd been out a lot lately, always busy, and it was driving him crazy.

Without even looking up, he said flatly, "If you can't afford a drink, why come to a bar?"

The woman froze, thinking she must've heard him wrong. She forced a smile. "Sorry, what did you say?"

Nicholas repeated, "I said, if you can't afford a drink, why are you even here?"