NovelXXXChapter 347 Kali had been standing right outside the door while they talked, and she caught every word.
She blinked up at Hastings, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Hastings, I heard what you said. Con, who is it you've fallen for? I want to know too." She'd heard it all-every word—and she was certain that person wasn't her.
A sudden wave of panic washed over Kali. All these years, Hastings had always liked her. What had changed? Besides, he spent nearly all his twith their team, surrounded by a bunch of rowdy guys. When would he ever meet another girl? Kali just couldn't imagine who he'd even have the chance to like.
"She's just a jerk, not worth talking about," Hastings muttered, pressing his lips together. He and Citrine had never gotten along, and he had no intention of telling Kali.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHonestly, he wasn't even sure he liked her in the way everyone assumed. He couldn't quite put his feelings into words.
That night, Kali's mood crashed. She drank more than she should have.
With the alcohol buzzing in her veins, she made a show of leaning toward Hastings, hoping to rest her head on his shoulder.
It was such a simple gesture-one she'd done a hundred times before. But this time, before her head even cclose, Hastings jerked away as if she'd turned into a ghost.
Kali froze in surprise.
Across the table, Theo and Quentin had also gone still, staring in disbelief.
"Hastings, what's your problem?" Theo and Quentin shot him accusing looks.
Hastings had always doted on Kali. Whenever they went out and Kali had a bit too much to drink, she'd end up leaning against him, or demanding a hug, and he'd never refused her-not once.
No one saw this coming, least of all Hastings himself. He had no idea why he'd reacted that way; it was pure reflex.
Realizing he'd messed up, Hastings scrambled to explain, his words tumbling out. "I... I'm sorry, Kali. I just wasn't expecting you to get so close all of a sudden." Kali's heart dropped, but she forced a casual smile. "It's fine, I shouldn't have startled you like that." Once the others looked away, her smile faltered, her face stiffening until the last trace of cheer finally slipped away.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmFor the rest of the night, Hastings sat in the farthest corner, putting as much distance between them as possible. Theo and Quentin took it upon themselves to sandwich Kali between them, cracking jokes and trying to lift her spirits.
By the end of the night, Kali and Hastings had barely exchanged a word. The two of them, once inseparable, now seemed inexplicably distant.
At first, Kali just felt a little down. But as the days passed and Hastings still didn't reach out-not a single text, not even a quick check-in-her worry turned to panic.
He used to message her every day, always making sure she was okay. A whole week went by with nothing.
She couldn't take it anymore. On Saturday, Kali marched straight to the Cooper house to find him. Hastings looked surprised when he saw her standing at the door. "Kali? What are you doing here?" Usually, he was the one visiting the Glenwood family; Kali almost never cto the Cooper house.
Today, she'd gone all out-her hair styled, a pretty dress, flawless m makeup. She smiled sweetly. "Obviously, I cto see you."
She pulled two movie tickets from her pocket and waved waved them in front of him. bought us tickets. Let's go catch a film together."
Hastings blinked in surprise. Getting Kali to agree to a movie used to be like pulling teeth, and now here m she was, inviting him? He couldn't help but grin, ruffling her hair. "Sure, why not?"
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