Chapter 313

 313:
This left Danny at a loss for words. Why was Linsey suddenly so cautious around his boss?
If he had known what Gorman had just done, he might have been bold enough to confront him, perhaps even shake some sense into him. No one in their right mind would leap to a proposal the moment they reunited with the woman they barely knew. Unfortunately, Danny was oblivious.
Gorman’s words came out measured and deliberate. “She has a strong personality. Trying to force her to stay would be catastrophic.”
Danny paused, then slowly nodded. “You’re right.”
“I’m in no rush. In time, Linsey will come around,” Gorman said, his chuckle deep and knowing.
A frown briefly marred Danny’s face.
Come around?
Hadn’t he just described Linsey as strong-willed? This doubt flickered through his mind as he observed Gorman’s assured smile. Opting for discretion, he remained silent. It seemed his boss had gotten on his feet and was now taking a more considered approach with Linsey. As his assistant, it was perhaps best to leave it at that and not overthink the complexities of his boss’s strategies.
After arriving home safely, Linsey still felt uneasy. Under normal circumstances, seeing someone she had once saved flourishing should have been a positive experience. Yet, she hadn’t anticipated such a strange twist in events. What could Gorman possibly do next?
At dinner, Collin observed Linsey drifting off occasionally and felt compelled to ask, “Linsey, is something wrong? Have you been pushing yourself too hard?”
Linsey’s thoughts snapped back to the present with a jolt, and she gave her head a brisk shake. “No.”
Her voice carried a tone of finality. She refused to let her mind linger on Gorman’s pursuit, nor did she intend to breathe a word of it to Collin. She could vividly picture Collin’s reaction if she revealed that another man had dared to propose to her—his features would undoubtedly cloud over with displeasure and a hint of jealousy.
With his birthday on the horizon, Linsey was keen on keeping spirits high. She tilted her head, adopting a more casual tone. “By the way, Collin, isn’t your birthday just around the corner?”
Collin blinked, a look of genuine surprise flickering across his face. “I almost forgot.”
Linsey raised an eyebrow in mock astonishment. “How can you forget your own birthday?”
Collin shrugged, his expression softening into a reflective gaze. “I’ve never really celebrated my birthday since I was young. Growing up, there wasn’t anyone to celebrate with. A birthday spent alone isn’t exactly a cause for celebration,” he explained in a subdued tone.
Linsey’s heart tugged at his words, and she leaned in closer, her voice warm and insistent. “But now you have me. I’m here with you—how could we not celebrate?”
A slow smile began to spread across Collin’s face, a spark of something like anticipation lighting up his eyes. “You’re right,” he responded.
After a thoughtful pause, Collin’s mind drifted back to an earlier moment when he had curiously browsed through Linsey’s personal records. He remembered that the space for her birthday had been mysteriously empty. “When’s your birthday?” he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.
.
.
.