Chapter 121

Naomi’s face drained of color, her heart plunging in her chest. Her grip tightened around her phone as she struggled to contain her anger. She forced her voice low and steady, asking, “Where’s Lester?”
“Oh, he’s taking a shower,” came the woman’s breezy reply. “He was exhausted earlier. Maybe call back later, okay?”
Before Naomi could say another word, the line went dead.
Panic spiked through her. Too tired, in the shower, a woman answering his phone -could it really be what she feared?
She called back immediately, but this time, the phone just rang and rang. No one picked up.
Pacing her apartment like a cat on hot bricks, Naomi’s nerves frayed with every cheerful ring echoing in the room. Her mind conjured up vivid, unwelcome images of Lester tangled up with another woman.
By the time six o’clock rolled around and her workday ended, Lester still hadn’t called her back.
She wanted nothing more than to storm over and demand the truth, but she’d promised her colleagues she’d join them for dinner. Standing them up now would be social suicide.
“Naomi, did you book the restaurant yet? Where are we eating tonight?”
All afternoon, Naomi had been glued to her phone, waiting for Lester’s call, not thinking at all about dinner plans.
“I was caught up with the design project and didn’t get a chance to choose,” she admitted. “Where do you all usually like to eat? We could try one of your favorites tonight.”
“How about The Tasty Nook?” suggested Fiona. “They’ve got great dishes, and with so many of us, we could book their big private room.”
“I’m good with anything. If everyone else is okay with it, let’s do The Tasty Nook,” Naomi said, glancing around at the group.
The Tasty Nook was famous for its high prices and tiny portions, but the food was undeniably delicious.
No one objected, and soon everyone was hailing cars to head over.
Lindsay, meanwhile, was getting picked up. She slid into the backseat and told the driver, “The Tasty Nook, please.” Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn.net
Yves glanced at her in surprise.
Lindsay smirked. “Naomi’s treating the whole team to dinner and then drinks afterwards. Karaoke, too.”
“You’re going?” Yves raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback.
Lindsay’s smile was sly. “Just to annoy Naomi. She never expected me to actually show up when she invited me, trying to look all gracious. Well, I’m not giving her the satisfaction-I’m going.”
Yves shook his head with a wry smile, reaching over to ruffle her hair. “As long as you’re having fun. I’ll pick you up later tonight.”
“No need, really. I’ll just get a cab home.”
“Alright. But call me if you need anything.”
“I will,” Lindsay promised.
Half an hour later, the luxury car pulled up in front of The Tasty Nook.
An attendant stepped forward to offer valet service. He was older than most, probably in his sixties-well past retirement age for this line of work. Lindsay couldn’t help but look at him a second time. The more she looked, the more familiar he seemed.
The attendant was eyeing Lindsay as well. His calm expression shifted to one of surprise, and suddenly his cloudy eyes brimmed with tears.
“Do you… know me?” Lindsay asked, catching the flicker of recognition in his face.
He wiped his eyes with a trembling hand, then gave her a bittersweet smile. “Don’t you remember me? I used to carry you when you were little, Linzy.”
Linzy.
Hearing that old nickname made her stiffen, her eyes going wide. Her parents had always called her that when she was a child-and so had one of the directors at her father’s firm. The face in her memory overlapped with the man in front of her
now.
It was him. So many years had passed; he’d aged, grown frail, but she would never forget him.
“Mr. Carter,” Lindsay choked out, her voice trembling.
Ward Carter nodded vigorously, tears spilling down his cheeks. “It’s me, Linzy. I never dreamed I’d see you again.”