"We were on that reality show together, you remember. We''re not that close. We didn''t even have each other''s number until today," Yvonne replied. The previous Yvonne had known Thomas well-they''d grown up together, constantly at odds. But this Yvonne''s only connection to him was that one show.


    Sandra frowned. "Thomas isn''t the type to go out of his way for people. It''s strange that he''d help us. If the paparazzi had caught you together, the rumors would do him no favors."


    "Maybe he was just doing a good deed for the day," Yvonne shrugged.


    Though she had walked red carpets before, this was her first time winning an award. Even as a neer, she garnered significant attention, and her ssic look became an instant hit online. Mr. Cooper''s name was suddenly trending, though at his age, he was long past caring about fame.


    A couple of days after the festival, Yvonne received a message from Thomas. Her car was repaired. He sent her the location of the auto shop. She thanked him politely and forwarded the information to Sandra, who would arrange for someone to pick it up.


    After she sent the message to Sandra, she was surprised to see another text from Thomas.


    Thomas: [How are you going to thank me?]


    She hesitated for a moment before typing a reply: [Buy you dinner?]


    Thomas: [Sounds good. Send me the location when you''ve booked it.]


    With a sigh, she called Sandra and exined the situation, asking her to book a suitable restaurant.


    "Thomas wants to have dinner with you? Does an A-list actor have that much free time? From what I know, he works sixteen-hour days," Sandra mused. "He''s making time for you... could he be interested?"


    "You have a wild imagination," Yvonne retorted.


    "I hope so. A neer dating an established star? His fans would tear you apart." After her lecture,


    Sandra had her assistant booket


    table at a high-end restaurant and sent the details to Yvonne, who then forwarded them to Thomas. He replied with an "OK" emoji.


    The next evening, Yvonne arrived at the restaurant early, only to find Thomas was already there.


    "Sorry to keep you waiting," she said, taking a seat opposite him.


    "Not at all. I had an event nearby, so I came straight here," he said with a gentle


    smile, handing her the menu. "The host should order. I''m not picky."


    Yvonne ordered a few of the restaurant''s specialties, along with some dishes she knew he liked from her past life She also ordered decent bottle of red wine. Despite their former rivalry, seeing a old acquaintance in this new life felt strangelyforting.


    The food arrived quickly. Yvonne raised her ss. "Thank you again for your help."


    "It was nothing. Besides, I think we can call ourselves friends now," he said, clinking his ss against hers.


    Yvonne never knew he could be so forward.


    Thomas took a sip of wine, his warm gaze resting on her. "You remind me of a girl used to know," he said wistfully. She was like you tooked delicate, but was surprisingly tough."


    Yvonne had a feeling he was talking about her former self and replied dryly, "Was she your nemesis?"


    Thomas nearly choked on his wine. He let out augh tinged with a faint bitterness. "She was someone I had a crush on."