Frederick was so blunt that bI /bcouldn’t hide anything.

    b“/bDo me a favor,” I said, string down in front of him.

    Frederick raised an eyebrow. “What’s in it for me?b” /bhe asked.

    I wouldn’t be hereb,/b” I said.

    I copied his expression, raising an eyebrow. “If there were no benefits, Iv

    The smile on Frederick’s Lace wandshed instantly as he clicked his tongue.

    “Elbe, do you trying to imitate me?” he teased.

    I nodded. “Why not? Lamswered.

    He scoffed. “You’re good at it, but there’s price bto /bpay.”

    I stood up, resting my arms on the ss table between us, slowly leaning closer

    Frederick’s busual /barrogant expression froze Instantly,

    I could almost feel his breath stop as he held his gaze omme.

    As I leaned in closer to him, Frederick immediately tensed up. Yet, I couldn’t tell what he was nervous about or what he was hoping for.

    I burst outughing. “Frederick, you’re not secretly a romantic, are you?” I joked.

    His face flushed bright red, and he snapped angrily, “What nonsense are you talking about?

    Trabbed my wrist, amused by how thustered he looked.

    Before marrying Jonathan, I had never been bin /bba /brtionship, but I was pretty good at talking the talk

    “Do you want to coborate with me? tasked, standing straight and smiling at hem

    Frederick tugged at his cor band /bnced at me. “Fine. Whatever good bottles you have, I want them all,” he agreed.

    “Ten First Love isn’t enough to satisfy your taste bchallenged/b.

    “There’s never too much good wine,” he bsaid /b

    Frederick slipped back into his busual /bcocky mode. “I run a bar of course, the more tine the wine, the better,” he added.

    I nodded. “Don’t worry. If you help me, the benefits won’t be sinall,” bI /bpromised.

    He scotted “I didn’t want to help you at all, but for the sake of Fint Love, I’ll make an exception,” he admitted reluctantly.

    I sighed. If he truly didn’t want to help, he wouldn’t bhave /blet me in. The fact that he didn’t hesitate to dive into the water to save me that day showed there was still sore feeling in his heart.

    I wasn’t sure what 35–year–old Elise thought, but 18–year–old me just wanted to be with someone who loved me.

    Unfonurately, I hadn’t divorced Jonathan yet, so I had to keep my distance.

    “Well then, bbear’s /bto worlding together, Mr. Guzman, Isaid bpolitely/b.

    “Looking forward to it, Elise, he replied.

    After finalizing the details, dabrielle wanted to take me straight back to Ford Manor Fredenck clicked his tongue.

    *I thought byou /bwere griling divorced. Do you still bhave /bcurfews?” be aslund.

    “It’knot acuriew,” I exined. “His grandfather isn’t well, so I’m staying there.”

    “Aum’t you two on bad terms?” le questioned

    bI /bsighed helplessly, I have no choice. Wealthy families always leave rules, and there are too many hassles.”

    Fredenck suggested, “You rarelye out Why not have some fun at La Doghouse?”

    I nced at Gabrielle “What bdo /byou think?” I asked.

    She shinged casually “Anything works, Jonathan probably won’t know. We’ll just say we’re at the hospital,” she said.

    We quickly agered

    Though noisy, bDoghouse’s /bcustomers were decent. Despite the chatter, there wasn’t an unpleasant atmosphere.

    Almost everyone important in Itastwille thinks of La Doghouse first when they want to rx,” Frederick said proudly, looking bat /bme.

    Η

    scerelyplimentedm, “It’s pretty great. bYou /bmust have put a lot of effort into it.”

    prederick nced at me but bquickly /bavoided my gare, looking ufortable, As I looked his way, I spotted someone I ever expected to see here.