Chapter 5

My buddies heard the news and threw a get-together that night. It was all old classmates and friends.

A few rounds in, the door opened again.

A few of the guys’ eyes lit up instantly: "Chloe? You're a sight for sore eyes!"

"Yeah, gorgeous Chloe, what brings you here tonight?"

Chloe's cheeks were flushed: "I was just talking business next door. Heard about the old classmates' reunion, so I thought I'd crash the party."

As she spoke, her gaze lingered on me for a moment before slowly moving away.

My buddy nudged me quietly: "Alex, Chloe's here for you, right?"

I propped myself up, looking at her.

She was even taller than Vivian, and had a better figure.

I squinted for a moment, then looked away, shaking my head: "No way. We haven't been in touch for years."

But my buddy ignored me, calling out to Chloe directly: "Hey, Chloe, our campus queen, could you give Alex a ride home later?"

"We've all been drinking, and we're worried he'll get ripped off by a ride-share."

Chloe's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on my face.

After about two seconds, I saw her nod: "Okay."

"Thanks a million, campus queen!"

My buddy sat back down, grinning, and whispered to me:

"Alex, why should Vivian get to mess around and play the field, but you can't start a new chapter?"

"Besides, Chloe's a stunning woman like this, it's a no-brainer."

"How do you know she'd be interested in me?"

My buddy gave a sly grin: "She was practically devouring you with her eyes just now!"

"Trust my experience, man."

4

When the party broke up, Chloe drove me back to my hotel.

As we pulled up to the hotel entrance, I unbuckled my seatbelt.

"Thanks for the ride tonight," I said.

Chloe turned her head to look at me: "No problem."

I pushed the car door open, about to get out, when I suddenly remembered what Vivian had said that day.

On a strange whim, I asked, "Want to come up for a drink?"

Chloe's cheeks flushed, but she silently got out of the car.

As I opened the hotel room door, I looked at Chloe again: "Chloe, aren't you scared?"

Chloe bit her lip, but her eyes were stubborn and determined: "Alex, I'm not scared."

She kissed me in the elevator.

I was startled for a moment, but seeing her face, hot and flushed, I leaned down and met her kiss.

As I swiped the key card to open the room, Chloe suddenly stopped me: "Alex, if you regret this, it's not too late…"

"Regret what?"

I looked at her, my eyes slightly blurred with alcohol, and chuckled: "Why didn't you ask when you were just kissing me?"

Chloe stared at me, dumbfounded: "Alex, are you serious?"

For some reason, the nervousness, the sadness, and the desperate resolve in her eyes suddenly made my heart ache.

I didn't say anything else, just gently hugged her.

"I'm very serious, Chloe. Just give me a little more time."