Boss, Your Ex-Wife is Unreachable Now! novel Chapter 234

Willow and Juliette did have some errands that afternoon, but nothing major—just getting their gear together for the hike tomorrow.

Sitting in Juliette’s car, Willow glanced over and asked, “What was up with you earlier? You seemed a little off.”

Willow had driven her own car that day, but she wanted a chance to talk, so she hopped into Juliette’s car first.

Juliette gripped the steering wheel, eyes fixed ahead, and gave a small smile. “Lionel’s so thick sometimes. If I don’t make things obvious, he’ll never get the hint.”

It was a half-truth, a convenient excuse to cover up how rattled she’d felt just moments ago.

Willow raised her eyebrows. “That’s exactly why you should just tell Mr. Scott how you feel. At least once. Otherwise, how will he ever know?”

Juliette’s fingers tightened on the wheel. “So I should charge in, knowing I’m doomed from the start? Just throw myself on the sword?”

Her words hung in the air—not so much a question for Willow, but a challenge to herself.

“Doomed?” Willow echoed, her tone thoughtful, her mind wandering to her own past. But Lionel wasn’t Beasley; anyone could see he treated Juliette differently.

She pressed on, “But how is this any better? You two don’t talk; you avoid each other whenever you happen to cross paths. Isn’t that just being strangers in all but name?”

Willow let that settle, then added softly, “If things can’t get any worse, then why not take a leap? Even if it doesn’t work out, you’re no worse off than you are now.”

She fell silent, giving Juliette space to process.

Juliette turned, her eyes uncertain. “But what if he’s already with Cordelia?”

Willow shot back, “And what if he’s not?”

Juliette hesitated, then a glimmer of hope crept in. “Should I just message him right now and ask?”

Lionel’s voice slipped in immediately. “Didn’t you two have something urgent to do? Why are you still here?”

He’d been watching them as they left, noting exactly where they’d parked. Somehow, even Juliette’s aunt, who’d left after them, was already gone—yet these two hadn’t budged.

Juliette forced her nerves aside and shot back, “You came all the way over just to ask that?”

Lionel stammered, “No, I—well, I was going to call you, but then I saw you hadn’t left, so, uh…”

Seeing him flustered only made her more anxious. “Lionel, what is it? Spit it out.”

He glanced over at Willow in the passenger seat. Fine, he thought, I’ll just invite both of them—better odds that way.

“My cousin Tina—you’ve met her before—she’s turning sixteen next Friday. They’re having a birthday party, and they’ve booked the chef from that sushi place we just went to. Would you and Miss Sheffield like to come?”