<b>Chapter </b><b>178 </b>


    “Noreen?”


    She looked up to see who had called her.


    It was Healy.


    Another of Seth’s childhood friends.


    Of course, back in the day, Healy had never been warm to her either.


    But unlike Jude, who could fly off the handle at a moment’s notice like a rabid dog, Healy’s cruelty was quieter–sharper, somehow.


    Like now. Even though he hadn’t said a word yet, the mocking smirk on his face made his opinion perfectly clear.


    No doubt he was inwardly sneering, wondering if she was still hopelessly trailing after Seth like a


    stray.


    There was a time when Noreen would have pretended not to notice, maybe even gone out of her way to strike up a conversation, desperately trying to break into their group.


    She’d tried for seven years. Seven years spent banging on a door that was never going to open.


    Back then, she thought she just wasn’t trying hard enough.


    Now she understood. It was never about effort. They’d simply never wanted her. She’d always been


    on the outside looking in.


    Different worlds, she thought. No point forcing your way in.


    Noreen pulled her gaze away, cold and indifferent. She didn’t greet him. Didn’t acknowledge him at all. Just acted as if he wasn’t there.


    That reaction caught Healy off guard.


    He gave a quiet, sarcasticugh, then came over and sat down across from her. “News travels fast with you, huh? Heard Seth wasing and rushed over?”


    Noreen had no idea Seth would be here.


    But Healy’s insinuation irritated her.


    She shot back, “I’m impressed. How do youe up with this stuff and still live to tell about it?”


    Healy was momentarily taken aback.


    After all, the Noreen he remembered was always gentle, amodating, a pushover. They used to mock her right to her face and she never once got angry, never even blushed.


    Even when they met again, she’d always been unfailingly polite.


    But now? That sharp retort had caught him totally off guard.


    Still, Healy didn’t get mad. He just smirked, “Do I need to make things up? Wasn’t this your thing? Used


    11:19


    to act like you wished you could glue yourself to Seth. Now you’re denying it?”


    Noreen stayed calm. “Thanks for the trip down memoryne. I mean, who hasn’t wasted their youth crushing on an asshole or two?”


    Healy had been waiting for a show, but her reply left him momentarily speechless.


    She hadn’t denied her past, but she’d used the moment to take a jab at Seth.


    Healy found himself with nothing more to say.


    First time for everything, he thought.


    She really had changed.


    Jude had mentioned it a while back, but Healy thought he was exaggerating. In his mind, Noreen was still thepdog they could never quite shake off.


    But seeing her now…


    Interesting.


    Just then, Healy’s phone rang. He took the call and got up. “You picked up Bianca? Alright, I’ming.”


    Finally, some peace.


    A momentter, Wade called to say he was almost there.


    Noreen hurried outside to wait for him.


    When she stepped out, she saw Jude carrying Bianca’s shopping bags like a dutifulckey. Even Healy was holding an umbre for her.


    They treated Bianca like one of their own–like family.


    Bianca frowned slightly when she spotted Noreen at The Eastern Gardens too.


    Noreen didn’t look at any of them, just waited at the curb.


    Jude scoffed, “What an act.”


    Bianca didn’t bother with Noreen. Instead, she turned to Jude. “When’s Dn getting here?”


    “Should be soon,” he replied.


    Bianca gave a little smile. “Let’s go inside and wait, then. Seth won’t be here for a while.”


    “Whatever you say!”


    As the three of them headed in, Jude gossiped to Healy, “Noreen definitely followed Seth here.”


    Healy replied, “She said she didn’t.”


    “If she didn’t, I’ll eat my hat,” Jude snorted.