Chapter: 135

“Alan, I've been back a few days now. Surely we can share a meal as friends, right?"

Faced with her logic, Alan glanced at his watch and consented.

Twenty minutes later, they were sitting across from each other in a nearby restaurant.

Ashley's gaze lingered on Alan, her words laced with concern. “Alan, you look like you've lost weight. Is work getting too much?"

Alan shook his head. “I'm managing."

“Try to eat a bit more, okay?"

Alan simply nodded, contributing little to the conversation.

When their steak arrived, Ashley let out a sigh.

“Alan, remember when you used to cut my steak for me? How quickly times change."

Alan frowned, a hint of sadness coloring his expression.

"Alan, sometimes I really wish I were Kaitlin. She gets to see you every day." Ashley's eyes welled up with tears.

Alan, turning his gaze away and torn by the conversation, replied softly, “Let's not dwell on the past, Ashley."

“Let's not dwell on the negatives, Alan. I really appreciate your help getting settled in Osewood."

Alan nodded. "You're welcome."

"However, the office being so far from downtown is really inconvenient. Plus, it's tough not seeing you more often."

Ashley's insinuation was clear, but Alan chose to ignore it.

He didn't want to add to Kaitlin's worries.

Throughout their dinner, Ashley noted that Alan seemed unusually distant to her flirtations.

This wasn't acceptable. She couldn't let this rare chance to be near him slip away.

She dabbed her lips with a napkin and stood up, feigning a trip to the restroom.

A few steps away, her ankle buckled in her high heels.

"Ouch!"

Ashley's cry drew Alan's attention.

“What happened?"