108 Attempts to Forget You novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Dusk deepened beyond the floor–to–ceiling windows, casting a soft glow across Jesse’s face that erased the aloofness he’d carried when she first saw him at the airport.

Shirley introduced herself. He stood to pull out her chair, knuckles prominent as his hand hovered near the chairback.

“Never imagined we’d meet again like this.”

Shirley placed documents on the table.

“Quite the coincidence.”

Seating herself, she noticed Jesse sliding the menu toward her.

“Let’s order first. Any dietary restrictions, Miss Shirley?”

Jesse’s slender fingers traced the dish photos.

“Their Firecracker Chicken Bowl is excellent. Allergic to seafood?”

This detail made Shirley pause briefly.

Back when attending dinners with Timothy, hosts invariably ordered only what Patricia enjoyed. Never cared about her restrictions. Didn’t even know about her allergies.

“I’m allergic to seafood, but anything else is fine.” She snapped back to reality.

“Mr. Roberts, about the contract…”

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Chapter 18

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“Let’s eat first.” Jesse closed the menu and signaled the waiter. “We’ll discuss work after the meal.”

Throughout dinner, Jesse expertly steered their conversation.

He shifted topics from industry trends to Dutch cityscapes, carefully avoiding any mention of the contract.

Shirley tasted the tender beef stew, admitting its deliciousness made pressing for business talk impossible.

Only when the waiter served dessert did Jesse slowly open the contract.

He began reviewing it, occasionally jotting notes in the margins with his fountain pen.

Outside the window, darkness had completely fallen.

“Miss Campbell’s proposal shows great sincerity.”

Jesse slid the contract back, “But regarding the after–sales terms, I’ll need to confirm with my team.”

He glanced at his watch, its face flashing cold light under the lamps.

“It’s too late today. Shall we reschedule for tomorrow?”

Shirley’s fingers tightened around the edge of the contract. Since their reunion, Jesse hadn’t seemed surprised at all.

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