To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 242

Jason lounged by the window, flashing a reckless grin. “Here’s to your second trip to the marriage office! One more round and you’ll finally be free. Isn’t that worth celebrating?”

Elara took a long, steadying breath, fighting the urge to laugh. “Can we just pretend we don’t know each other for a minute?”

“Why’s that?” Jason quirked an eyebrow.

“Because this is just… embarrassing,” Elara finally burst out laughing. “Honestly, I almost didn’t recognize you because I was too mortified.”

Jason laughed too, stepping out of the car to open her door. “Hey, the florist insisted this was the trendiest choice. See? I’m just that easy to swindle.”

“Mr. Lawrence has good taste—I refuse to believe you couldn’t spot it,” Elara teased, suspecting he’d gone out of his way just to make her smile.

Jason’s eyes glinted, eyebrow lifted in mock offense. “Oh, really?”

Elara ducked into the passenger seat, laughter still bright on her face.

As they drove off, Brian stepped out of the registry office and caught sight of the two of them leaving, both looking delighted.

Yves Caldwell frowned deeply. “What’s Mr. Lawrence playing at? He even brought a flower-bedecked car for the divorce? He’s not even pretending to hide his intentions anymore, is he?”

Brian watched the ridiculous flower car disappear down the street, his expression dark and unreadable.

***

That evening, Summer insisted on dragging Elara out to a bar to celebrate.

The last time, they hadn’t even managed to pop champagne before the divorce fell through.

This time, Summer wasn’t about to play it safe.

Elara was exhausted and just wanted to go home, but Summer’s enthusiasm was impossible to resist.

They wound up at Ember Night Bar.

The heavy bass pounded right through Elara’s chest, blasting away any trace of sleepiness.

Summer snagged a roomy booth. There was a minimum spend, but she couldn’t care less. Her best friend had finally made it through the obstacle course of divorce—this was money well spent.

Summer, oblivious to her daydreaming, leaned in conspiratorially. “Best part is, you get all the fun and none of the responsibility. Isn’t that the ultimate stress relief?”

Elara was still nervous. “Maybe… you could show me how it’s done first?”

Summer just laughed. “Easy. Watch me, then just follow my lead.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a man in a crisp white shirt and black slacks approached, guided by the waiter.

He was impossibly handsome, but there was something almost intimidating about his calm, self-assured presence.

Summer, already a cocktail in, eyed him and frowned. “What kind of boy toy is this? He looks way too old for the gig!”

Elara nearly choked, clapping a hand over Summer’s mouth, struggling to keep her composure. “That’s… Jason.”

Summer froze.

Oh no. He’d heard every word.