?Chapter 241:


    Dumbfounded, Hadley couldn’t respond. That was certainly not her n.


    What was going through his mind?


    Once they finished eating, Eric got up. “I’ve had enough. Let’s go.” Hadley quickly ced her ss on the table and stood to follow.


    Eric, however, staggered unexpectedly, leaning heavily into her.


    “Eric!” Hadley eximed, catching him by surprise.


    Seizing the moment, Eric wrapped his arms around her, smiling triumphantly as he leaned into her support.


    Hadley staggered as the man crashed into her, his weight throwing her off bnce.


    “What the hell happened to you?”


    Not that she needed an answer. The sharp sting of alcohol clung to him, thick and undeniable.


    “You’re wasted, aren’t you?”


    “Mmm… not even close.”


    Drunk people always said that. Even as he swayed, barely upright, Eric refused to admit it.


    He’d drained almost an entire bottle of wine by himself. Hadley hadn’t even taken a sip. If he wasn’t drunk, then what was this about? Hadley hitched his arm over her shoulder, bracing herself under his weight.


    “Can you even walk?”


    “Mmm-hmm.” Eric bobbed his head but made no effort to move. “Just hold onto me, and I’ve got it.”


    She exhaled sharply.


    Letting him go wasn’t an option—he’d probably topple like a sack of bricks.


    “Fine. I’ll help. But take it slow.”


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    “Alright.” His gaze drifted,nding on the delicate sweep of hershes. Long and curled, they cast soft shadows over her cheeks with every slow blink.


    Each flutter sent a strange sensation through him, like they weren’t just brushing against her skin—but against something deep inside him, stirring it awake.


    “Eric?”


    A familiar voice rang out as they stepped out of the private room. Hadley turned to find Linda standing a few steps away.


    “Linda,” Eric greeted, still draped over Hadley like he had every right to be there. His arm hung loosely around her shoulders, and from an outsider’s perspective, it probably looked more like an embrace than her struggling to keep him upright.


    “What’s going on with you two?”


    Linda’s steps quickened as her gaze darted between them, her eyes widening.


    Had she seen that right? Why were Eric and Hadley even together in a restaurant?


    And why did they look so… close?


    Hadley stiffened, hyper-aware of Linda’s gaze drilling into her. Instinct kicked in—she tried to pull away, to put some space between herself and Eric.


    But his grip tightened. “What are you doing?” His brow furrowed, annoyance shing across his face. “Quit squirming. You’ll make me fall.”


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