It took James a good fifteen minutes to finally get curious Leslie off his back.
She had heard Rachel's name loud and clear during the phone call, and her instincts had immediately flared.
A woman's intuition, sharpened by love and honed by subtle rivalry, was not so easily calmed.
Patty, on the other hand, hadn't pried as much. But the quiet glances she exchanged with Leslie told James everything he needed to know: this wasn't going to be forgotten. Not soon, at least.
Still, with a combination of reassurance and charm, James managed to redirect their attention. Barely.
And yet, just when he thought the cross-examination was over, Patty leaned forward with a deceptively casual tone.
"So… how are you going to stop this arranged marriage?"
Leslie tilted her head, eyes narrowing again with interest.
James blinked, caught off guard. Then he smiled slightly and leaned back into the couch, arms stretched along the backrest.
