Noreen hadn’t been paying attention, so she had no idea what expression


    he wore.


    But she could feel his gaze on her–sharp, almost cold.


    Bianca, meanwhile, seemed oblivious to Noreen’s change in mood and kept talking, “Honestly, I thought she and Dn were dating for a while. They did seem awfully close back then.”


    “Miss Lowell, you certainly have a vivid imagination,” Noreen replied, her tone edged with steel.


    Bianca rushed to exin, “Oh, I didn’t mean anything by it—it’s just simple curiosity. I’ve always believed that men and women can’t really be just friends, so maybe I overthought it. If it bothered you, Noreen, I apologize.”


    It was a clever little jab.


    In just a few sentences, Bianca managed to paint Noreen as a flirt, implying she’d been stringing along two men in the space of a couple of


    months.


    But Noreen didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, she countered, calm and measured, “I’ve heard that everyone’s opinions are shaped by the way they <i>see </i>the world.”


    Bianca’s smile faltered, and she unconsciously tightened her grip around Seth’s arm.


    Only Jude looked confused, ncing between them. “Wait, what does that mean? I don’t get it,


    Dn knocked him lightly on the head. “Just let it go.”


    But Dn was fighting a smile.


    He’d caught Noreen’s meaning, all right.


    Those with dirty minds see dirt everywhere.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    “Didn’t you just say you were hungry? Why are we still chatting? People with sensitive stomachs should really focus on eating,” Seth interjected smoothly, gentlemanly as ever, steering the conversation away from conflict.


    Without missing a beat, he handed Bianca an out, making everything look


    easy.


    Bianca’s smile instantly returned. “Yeah, I’m starving. Come <i>on</i>, let’s head inside.”


    She and Seth walked in first. Dn and Noreen exchanged a quick <i>nod </i>before following, and Jude snorted, then hurried to join them.


    Within seconds, the entryway was empty…


    Noreen’s brow furrowed. She pressed a hand to her abdomen.


    Her stomach was acting up again.


    After months of careful treatment, her chronic gastritis had improved, buttely she’d been swamped with work and skipping meals, forgetting her medication–now her stomach was letting her know it wasn’t happy.


    When Seth showed concern for Bianca earlier, Noreen’s gut had clenched unexpectedly.


    Maybe it was just a reflex.


    Or maybe she was just feeling queasy.


    Either way, she felt awful.


    Carman noticed she looked pale and stepped closer, concern in her voice. “You okay? Want to try another ce?”


    Noreen shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”


    Compared to things she’d been through in the past, this was nothing.


    She pulled her jacket tighter. “Why switch restaurants? This ce is fine. Let’s eat here.”


    20.05


    She had no intention of avoiding anyone.


    Why should she?


    It was a team dinner, and Noreen did her best to keep the mood lively, just as she used to back at the Aurelion Group, where she’d often organized these kinds of department gatherings. She was <i>good </i>at it.


    The private dining room was filled withughter and easy conversation, the kind that drifted out into the hallway.


    Seth’s group was in the room next door.


    Jude, never one to keep quiet, grumbled, “It’s just a small project, barely worth a few million. You’d think we’dnded a billion–dor contract, the


    way everyone’s carrying on. Ruins my appetite!”


    “Pipe down,” Dn muttered, nudging him under the table.


    Seth didn’t seem bothered and even had a drink. His allergy desensitization therapy was finally showing results–he could handle a couple of drinks at a work function now without issue.


    Noreen’s group lingered over their meal for quite a while.


    At the end, she made sure everyone had a safe way home, organizing rides and checking in with each person.


    She hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol–partly to keep her head clear, and partly because Carman knew about her stomach troubles and intercepted anyone who tried to toast her, drinking in her ce until she was tipsy herself.


    Once thest group had left, Noreen let out a deep breath.


    She was about to call a/ride home when she realized Seth had appeared quietly behind her.


    No one else was there. Just him.