Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 9

Noelle’s hand was looped through Landon’s arm as she waved to Zinnia, her face lit up with excitement.

The next moment, she dragged a rather grim-faced Landon along with her, heading straight for Zinnia.

Suppressing a sigh, Zinnia pressed her fingers to her brow. She wanted to warn Noelle that Landon’s mood was written all over his face—he clearly wasn’t thrilled about bumping into her here, especially when he and Noelle seemed to be enjoying their own private world. Couldn’t Noelle see that?

“Zinnia, you just got back too?” Noelle chirped, glancing at the suitcase by Zinnia’s side.

Zinnia gave the two of them a quick look and nodded. “Yeah. Vacation’s over.”

She could feel two piercing gazes burning into her, sharp as knives, as if she’d committed an offense just by being there.

Was she really being blamed for showing up at the wrong time?

Well, sorry, but her psychic powers weren’t exactly working today. How was she supposed to know they’d be here too? If she’d known, she’d have made sure not to show up and play third wheel.

Noelle, noticing the calm indifference on Zinnia’s face—no hint of anger or jealousy—felt a jolt of unease.

Then, her eyes flickered, and she tightened her grip on Landon’s arm, turning to Zinnia with an apologetic look. “Zinnia, I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t relapsed and leaned so much on Landon, he never would’ve left you to come help me. It’s all my fault. I ruined your trip together, and I really am sorry.”

As soon as she finished, her eyes were rimmed with red, as if Zinnia’s forgiveness was a matter of life and death.

Zinnia had never been one for mind games or pretending to be holier-than-thou, but even she could see the barely-veiled challenge in Noelle’s words.

Still, she couldn’t be bothered to play along. Instead, she offered a faint, sincere smile.

With a sigh, she turned to Noelle. “Noelle, really. I’m not mad at you. And I’m not mad at… at Landon, either. I understand, I really do.”

She saw the disappointment flash in Noelle’s eyes as her attempt at stirring the pot fell flat.

“The only reason I didn’t call Landon was because I got too caught up in sightseeing and just forgot,” she added with a shrug.

A soft, mocking laugh slipped from Landon’s lips.

Zinnia’s smile faltered, but she said nothing.

Just then, the roar of an engine caught their attention as a sleek, black Rolls-Royce pulled up, turning more than a few heads with its unmistakable presence.