"Jill, I was just joking! We've known each other for almost ten years—don't you know me by now?"
"I've already explained this to you. Jeffrey and I aren't what you think."
As she spoke, she nudged the man beside her with her elbow, the gesture intimate.
"Come on, say something already."
Jeffrey Farley's expression softened slightly before he spoke.
"There were other people drinking with us. We weren't alone together."
"Besides, Laura is your friend of many years. Even if you don't trust me, you shouldn't distrust her."
In the past, hearing words like that would have driven me insane.
But now, I felt nothing.
Laura clicked her tongue in displeasure, though her smile only grew wider.
"Do you even know how to comfort a woman? Even now you're still playing the loyal friend..."
I cut her off.
"Sorry, I misunderstood."
"From now on, I'll believe whatever you two say."
The air went still. The man's gaze landed on me, sharp as a hawk's.
Laura, however, acted as if nothing had happened and changed the subject.
"Oh, by the way—I wore your nightgown because I forgot to bring a change of clothes when I went over last night. I couldn't exactly sleep in your bed reeking of alcohol, right? Don't overthink it."