Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 32

Zinnia had just finished her last patient of the morning when Zoey popped her head into the office.

“Zinnia, come on, let’s grab lunch.”

“Sure, I’m coming.” Zinnia set aside the file for a new patient scheduled for heart surgery, stood up, and walked to the door.

...

In the hospital cafeteria, Zinnia and Zoey had just bought their lunch and found a table when someone suddenly appeared at their side.

Both women looked up at the same time. Standing there was Chandler.

The smile that had just curled Zoey’s lips vanished in an instant. She looked away and resumed eating as if Chandler weren’t even there.

“Zoey, I’m not agreeing to the divorce. Let’s talk about this.” Chandler stood by their table, refusing to budge despite Zoey’s cold shoulder.

He was impossible not to notice: tall, close to 6’3”, with striking, almost androgynous features, sharp gray eyes framed by wire-rimmed glasses. He had that dangerous, clean-cut charisma that drew eyes whether he tried or not. Just standing there, he managed to draw half the room’s attention.

Zinnia stole a glance at Chandler, and for some reason, Landon popped into her mind. They looked nothing alike, but their type was the same—men who could so easily win a woman’s heart, and just as easily break it.

The undertone of mockery wasn’t lost on anyone. Zoey bristled. She still wasn’t sure if Zinnia had truly let Landon go, and the last thing she wanted was for Chandler to stir up trouble between them.

She stepped between Chandler and Zinnia. “Our problems are ours to deal with. Don’t take it out on anyone else. If you want to talk, let’s go.”

“Zoey—” Zinnia called after her, but Zoey shot her a reassuring look. Only then did Zinnia meet Chandler’s eyes with a cold, dismissive stare. “Go on, then.”

Left alone, Zinnia pushed her food around her plate, appetite gone. She tried to eat, but worry for Zoey made every bite taste like cardboard.

She’d barely managed a few mouthfuls when someone sat down across from her. Thinking Zoey had come back, she looked up quickly. “You’re back—”