Den spoke up. "First of all, you were the one who threw yourself at me. Plus, I''m single. Maybe I was just acting on impulse."


    "So, you''re admitting you''re a jerk, huh? In that case, I guess I''ll just have to let you jerk me around," Hailey quipped.


    She knew he wasn''t a jerk, of course.


    Den fell silent.


    Just then, Den''s friend walked in. "Damn, Den, where did this beautye from?"


    He hade looking for Den, only to be met with an unexpected sight. His eyes widened as he took in Hailey''s presence.


    Hailey quickly stepped back from Den, offering the man a nervous smile. "Hi, I''m Hailey Young."


    "Justin Griffin," he replied. "So, Den, you finally got yourself a girlfriend, huh?" Den immediately shut it down. "She''s not my girlfriend."


    "I am!" Hailey dered confidently.


    Den was momentarily speechless.


    Justin let out augh. "Damn, Den. I thought you were destined to be single forever. You''ve never been interested in anyone before, but now I get it-you''re just picky. Looks like Hailey put all those other girls chasing after you to shame."


    Den set the spat down and turned to Justin. "Let''s talk outside."


    Without another word, they stepped out.


    "Alright, get to the point. Why are you here?" Den asked.


    "Phantom has resurfaced. He''s here."


    Phantom was the infamous drug lord responsible for Den''s father''s death. Years ago, his father had gone undercover in Phantom''s cartel, only to be exposed and executed.


    For years, Den had been tracking him. And now, Phantom had finally resurfaced.


    A cold wind swept through, making Den''s ck T-shirt ripple. His eyes turned steely as he replied, "Got it."


    Just as he turned to leave, Justin called out to him, "Den, that girlfriend of yours is gorgeous."


    Den pressed his lips together. "We''re not a couple."


    "Oh really? Justin replied, studying


    him closely. "We''ve known each


    other since we were kids. If you weren''t interested, you wouldn''t let her get this close... unless, of course, you actually do like her."


    Den stayed quiet for a moment before responding, "From the start, I knew I couldn''t offer her a future. There''s no point in getting involved. Shees from a good family."


    Justin chuckled. "Rich, beautiful, sweet... and totally into you. Den,


    are you really telling me you don''t feel anything? You''re overthinking it, man. That girl is crazy about you."  en FindNovel


    "Let''s head back," Den said.


    With that, he stepped back into the house.


    IMS


    Hailey emerged from the room. "Did Justin leave?"


    Den nodded. "Yeah, he left."


    "Justin always brings gifts but never stays for a meal," Pammented.


    Den set the dishes on the table. "Let''s eat."


    Hailey didn''t hesitate, taking a seat at the table. Den had even made fried chicken wings-Aileen''s favorite.


    He picked up a piece and ced it on Aileen''s te. "Thanks, Den," she said with a smile.


    As Den set down his cutlery, he noticed Hailey watching him, her eyes filled with anticipation. She subtly pushed her te closer to him, silently asking for a piece.


    Aileen quickly said, "Den, hurry up and give Hailey a piece too!"


    Hailey gazed at him with hopeful eyes.


    With that, Den reached over and ced a chicken wing onto Hailey''s te.


    Hailey took a bite. She''d wanted to try his fried chicken wings ever since she first saw him make them, but she hadn''t expected them to taste this incredible.


    Her lips curled into a satisfied grin. "This is amazing."


    "Hailey, if you like it, you shoulde over more often and let Den cook for you," Pam chimed in.


    Hailey turned to Den, her smile brightening. "I''ll definitely be back."


    Just as dinner was ending, a sudden booming sound echoed from outside, followed by a sh of lightning and a sharp crack of thunder.


    Momentster, the sky opened up, and a torrential downpour began to fall.