Chapter 0095
Judy’s POV
“Are you okay?” Irene asked, her voice softer now that we were in the quieter space of the restaurant.
I blinked a few times, a little disoriented by the sudden shift in the atmosphere. She had been so commanding and sharp earlier, and now there was a tenderness to her tone that was almost disarming.
“I think so,” I replied, taking a deep breath. “But can we go?”
Irene frowned slightly, but then her lips curved into a sly smile.
“Not until we’ve shopped until our hearts’ content,” she said, pulling me along by the arm. “Let’s keep them busy.”
I didn’t want to stay in that boutique any longer. It had felt like a pressure cooker of judgment and hostility, but I didn’t argue. An hour later, we were walking out of the store, our arms laden with shopping bags. We managed to drop them off with Leroy, who was still waiting out front. I was glad he was there, and he didn’t seem to mind holding our haul while we continued to explore.
By the time we were finished, I was completely exhausted, and I could feel my stomach growling with hunger.
“Can you two maybe go somewhere else for an hour while we eat?” I overheard Irene asking her guards as we made our way toward the restaurant.
They exchanged uncertain glances.
“We have orders to stay with you,” one of them said.
“I know the orders,” Irene responded, her voice suddenly cold. “But we can manage dinner without an audience. Please… I just need some space. I’d like to eat in peace.”
The other guard raised an eyebrow. “Well, what are we supposed to do?”
“I don’t care. Stay here with Leroy,” she suggested, glancing toward him. “That way you’ll be in range if anything happens.”
The guards hesitated for a moment, but they eventually nodded in agreement. “Okay, but the first sign of danger and we’re getting you out of there,” one of them warned, crossing his arms.
Irene smiled sweetly, then turned to me and motioned for me to follow. I did, though I couldn’t shake the sense of unease still lingering in the air. We walked into a gorgeous, intimate restaurant, where the hostess greeted Irene by name, barely sparing me a glance.
Irene ordered us each a glass of white wine and glasses of lemon water while we looked over the menu. After some deliberation, I finally settled on a BLT sandwich with a side of coleslaw, and Irene ordered a Greek salad. When our orders were in, we both leaned back in our chairs, sipping our drinks in silence. The tension between us hung thick in the air as we stared at our empty plates.
Irene looked uneasy, and I knew it was because she wanted to talk. I could feel it in the way she fidgeted, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. I couldn’t just let her stay quiet, so I cleared my throat, bringing her attention to me.
“You said you wanted to talk about something,” I reminded her gently.
She nodded, biting her lower lip as if considering how to start. “It’s about Ethan,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she glanced around to make sure no one was listening.
My heart sank. I had a feeling this conversation was coming, but I had hoped it wouldn’t.
I leaned back in my chair, watching her warily.
“Go on,” I said, my voice hesitant.
Irene’s eyes darted to the side, clearly uncomfortable, before she spoke again. “I don’t know how to ask this, and I’m sorry if I’m coming off a bit weird, but… is there something going on between you two?”
I blinked, processing her words.
“What?” I asked, a little taken aback by her bluntness.
“Are you sleeping with him?” she blurted out, not waiting for me to respond.
My eyes widened, and I gasped. I almost shot to my feet in shock but managed to keep my composure. I was speechless for a moment, staring at her, dumbfounded. Why would she think we were sleeping together? Had I said or done something that made her think this?
When I didn’t respond right away, Irene winced, clearly realizing how her question had sounded.
“I’m sorry, but I need to know if you are sleeping with my fiancé, Judy…” Her voice cracked slightly as she said the words.
“Of course, I’m not,” I whispered harshly, my voice tight with the need to defend myself. “Why would you think that?”
Irene bit her lip, her gaze dropping to her hands for a moment as she thought. After a few beats, she finally spoke.
“Because you both act strangely around one another,” she explained. “You get weird, and Ethan…” Her voice faltered, but then she pushed on. “Well, Ethan can’t take his eyes off you.”
I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks. Was I really that obvious? Irene was far more observant than I had ever given her credit for.
“I’m not sleeping with him,” I assured her quickly, my voice steady now. “I barely even know him. We’re from the same pack, so I knew him before you introduced us. But I would never sleep with him, knowing he’s in a relationship with someone else,” I added firmly, wanting to make sure she understood.
Irene studied me carefully for a long moment before finally nodding, her expression softening, though there was still a hint of doubt in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Judy,” she said quietly. “I just… I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and it made me worried.”
I reached across the table, placing my hand on hers, trying to reassure her. “I know, and I understand why you’d be concerned. But you have nothing to worry about. I’m your friend, Irene. I’m not here to cause trouble.”
Her gaze softened, and for a moment, I saw the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just needed to hear you say it.”
I smiled, relieved that the tension between us had finally started to dissipate. “You’re welcome.”
