Chapter 231
231:
Linsey, already on edge, flinched. Heat rushed to her face, deepening the flush in her cheeks as her eyes darted anxiously around.
Frustration knotted in her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut and bit down on the back of her hand, caught in a tug-of-war with her own impulses.
What had she been thinking just now?
Had she really been that eager to kiss Collin?
Where was her self-control?
Collin’s face remained unreadable, but the slight furrow in his brow hinted at his displeasure.
His lips parted as he was about to say he could ignore the call.
But Linsey pointed at his pocket, where the phone buzzed insistently.
“Answer it. What if it’s important?”
He glanced at her flushed face, his throat tightening all over again.
The urge to kiss her still burned in his chest, but he shoved it down. Now all that pent-up frustration had a new target—the person who had interrupted them.
Jaw tight, he pulled out his phone with a sullen face.
The caller was Kylee.
His expression darkened, frustration in his chest hardening into something heavier.
With a slow inhale, he answered, his voice edged with impatience.
“What is it?”
He didn’t bother hiding his irritation.
Lɑtєѕτ cнαρτєrs ιn g𝒶l𝑛ovєls.𝗰𝒐𝓂
A brief pause. Then Kylee’s voice floated through—light, unbothered. “Oh, nothing important.”
Linsey tensed. A flicker of something unreadable crossed her face before she turned to the window, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Kylee’s soft, almost melodic tone filled the phone, thickening the silence in the backseat.
“It’s pretty late, and I noticed you and Linsey haven’t returned yet. I got a little worried, so I thought I’d check in. If you’re in any trouble, let me know—I might be able to help.”
She sounded considerate, but she knew exactly what she was doing. She was well aware that Linsey and Collin were out on a date tonight. Calling now served two purposes: to interrupt and to gauge how far their relationship had progressed.
Collin exhaled sharply and pinched the bridge of his nose. His voice was flat. “Nothing happened. We’re heading back now.”
Kylee hummed softly, feigning relief. A beat of silence. Then, with a smile, she added, “By the way, Linsey’s with you, isn’t she?”
Collin flicked a glance at Linsey. “Yeah.”
Kylee’s voice stayed light, almost teasing. “Linsey, the night air is cold. Make sure to look after Collin for me, okay?”
Then, as if catching herself, she let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh. “Sorry, Linsey. You must think I’m ridiculous. I just can’t help worrying when I don’t see him. Guess I’m a little too anxious.”
“What do you think is going to happen to me?” Collin interjected, his voice devoid of emotion.
Linsey stayed silent, listening.
There was nothing overtly wrong with Kylee’s words, yet something about them unsettled her.
As Collin’s wife, it was her place to take care of him. She didn’t need Kylee, an outsider, reminding her of that.
Though unsettled, Linsey kept her tone polite. “Of course, I will.”
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.
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