Colin Allen, one of Erik’s closest friends and an ardent supporter of his "perfect match" with Polly, chimed in smugly, "Besides, we’re just getting our company off the ground. Long nights are part of the deal, right? Polly even ended up in the hospital after drinking with a client! And if those two ever had feelings for each other, they would’ve been together ages ago. No need to worry, Alyce."
My eyes narrowed. What company? What start-up?
Wasn't Erik doing well in his stable job? Since when was he part of a "start-up"?
Realizing he’d said too much, Colin instantly fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances with the others as the room went quiet.
The meal felt flavorless, and a heavy silence settled over the table after the earlier confrontation.
Once we finished eating, the rain began to pour outside. Erik approached me cautiously. “Alyce, it’s not safe for Polly to go home alone. Why don’t you stay here with Mom for a bit? I’ll drop her off and come back for you.”
I nodded, watching him intently. He hesitated, as if searching for the right words, but ultimately he just squeezed my hand before letting go and escorting Polly out.