Chapter 7
As Avery completed her discharge formalities, she brought Nathan along under the pretense of meeting friends for dinner.
The moment they entered the private room and saw Jake and Hannah seated in the center, Nathan’s
expression darkened, and he turned to leave without a word.
“Come on, just one dinner,” Avery pleaded, physically pulling him back with all her strength. After several minutes of coaxing, he reluctantly took a seat, though his posture remained stiff and
unwelcoming.
Their friends, sensing the tension, worked overtime with jokes and light conversation, carefully
monitoring the frosty atmosphere between the two men.
Hannah seized a quiet moment to approach Nathan, her voice gentle with genuine remorse.
“Nathan, I need to clear something up. What happened at the hospital–me falling into that pool–it was just a stupid accident. Jake overreacted because he was worried sick about me. It kills both me and Avery seeing you two throw away years of friendship over something so ridiculous.”
Given this opening, Nathan’s expression softened, though his tone remained cool.
“As long as he apologizes to Avery, I’ll let this go.”
Jake glanced over coldly, equally unyielding.
“As soon as she apologizes to Hannah, I’ll apologize to her.”
Just as tension threatened to rise again, several friends quickly intervened.
“Jesus, guys! We’ve been friends since what–college? Let’s not do this. Here’s the deal: you both drink to making up, and we put this whole mess behind us. Sound reasonable?”
Hannah was the first to reach for a glass. Jake immediately frowned, stood up, and took it from her hand. He downed it in one go, then deliberately placed the empty glass in front of Nathan.
Taking the cue, Nathan finally drank as well. The room collectively exhaled as the atmosphere noticeably lightened.
13.00
She Moved On He Crashed and Burned
28.6%
Chapter 7
“Wow, Jake,” one friend teased, “you’re seriously whipped! Does this mean we need to get Hannah’s permission slip signed before you can hang out with us now?”
Facing their teasing, Hannah blushed and playfully pushed Jake.
His face finally showed a hint of a smile as he responded leisurely.
“Hannah’s on her period and can’t drink. Shouldn’t I step in as her husband? After we’re married, it’s
only natural that I’ll check in with Hannah wherever I go, whatever I do. What’s so surprising about
that?”
Everyone in the room suppressed their laughter at his words.
“Only Hannah could tame the infamous bachelor of Boston and turn him into such a devoted husband–to–be. You guys are disgusting, seriously.”
Avery sat silently listening to their banter, realizing she no longer felt the same pain as before.
Seeing Nathan’s concerned glance, she smiled gently, indicating she was fine.
Soon after, everyone clamored to play drinking games. Hannah, unfamiliar with the rules, lost over
a dozen rounds.
Faced with all the penalty drinks she owed, Jake showed no impatience, smilingly downing them all.
Watching him drink glass after glass without complaint, Avery quietly rose and went to the restroom
alone.
After washing her hands, she was about to return when she heard a familiar voice in the corridor.
‘Darling, do you know? I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you. But you were always so distant with me, and I thought you only saw me as a friend. I didn’t dare confess–all I could do was
stay by your side. Year after year… loving someone can make you so insecure…”
Jake, thoroughly drunk, was leaning on Hannah’s shoulder.
She supported him, her eyes full of bashfulness, her voice coquettish.
‘So that’s why you came up with this plan–deliberately using Avery as a cover so I’d be your girlfriend? You really like me that much?”
17:05
