Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 302

Noreen flicked the invitation envelope off her cup of instant noodles with a practiced snap of her fingers, then grabbed a fork to swirl the noodles around.

Hearing the commotion, Padgett Novak glanced over and asked, “What are you up to?”

“Just having some noodles,” Noreen replied.

“Instant noodles again? That’s not exactly healthy, especially with your stomach issues. You should really eat something more nourishing.”

Padgett’s voice was deep, almost velvety, like a slow note on a cello.

Noreen shrugged. “It’s fine every once in a while.”

Mostly, it was just convenient.

Padgett hesitated, then offered, “Let me order you something. There’s this French place I know—you’d like it.”

Sure, French food was a world apart from the sodium-laden noodles she was poking at.

But Noreen knew what it meant if she accepted.

She shook her head. “No, thanks.”

Padgett didn’t seem surprised, nor did he look disappointed. If anything, he blamed himself—thought maybe he hadn’t tried hard enough, hadn’t done enough to win her over.

He just needed to keep trying. That was all.

...

Henry arrived early at the French restaurant where he was supposed to meet Padgett. To his surprise, Padgett was already there, dressed to the nines—dark dress shirt, patterned tie, even matching engraved cufflinks flashing at his wrists.

His jet-black hair was neatly parted and combed back, the sides forming sharp, clean lines that accentuated his smooth forehead.

As Henry sat down, he eyed Padgett’s outfit. “You sure this is a business meeting and not a date?”

Padgett laughed, exhaling as if the joke hit a little too close to home. “Honestly, I almost wish it was.”

“Oh? So you’re saying the other party isn’t interested?” Henry grinned, intrigued. “She must have pretty high standards if even you can’t catch her eye.”

She waved him off. “Actually, it works out. I still owe you a dinner, remember?”

Halfway through their meal, Padgett looked up, almost hesitant. “Did you go to The Half-Light Club a while back?”

Noreen tensed at the name. She’d had a bad experience there.

“I did. Why?”

Padgett’s eyes flickered away, as if he suddenly found the tablecloth fascinating. “Do you remember anything that happened?”

She shook her head. “Honestly, I blacked out that night. Don’t remember a thing.”

Then she turned the question on him. “Did you see me there?”

Padgett paused, then nodded. “Yeah. I did.”

For some reason, she watched as he let out a long, relieved breath, as if a weight had been lifted.