Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1505

"It might be a minute. I just woke up."

Since he was already right downstairs, Lorelei couldn't exactly turn him away without being rude.

"Take your time." Joel sounded completely at ease, his voice warm and bright. "Lori, I'll wait as long as it takes."

Lorelei's heart gave a little jolt.

What was that supposed to mean?

—

Ten minutes later.

Lorelei quickly freshened up and headed down to the restaurant.

Joel, dressed in a crisp white dress shirt, was sitting at a table, typing away on his laptop.

"Joel," Lorelei greeted him, taking the seat across from him.

"You're here."

Joel immediately shut his laptop and pushed it aside, looking at her with a gentle smile. "I grabbed your favorites. Sandwiches, oat milk, and cheese puffs."

"Thank you."

Lorelei managed a stiff smile, unable to help but ask, "What brings you to Yalania so suddenly?"

"I came to find you." Joel held her gaze, the smile on his handsome face warm and full of affection. "Lori, I flew here specifically for you."

Lorelei's smile froze. She could guess where this was going and instinctively averted her eyes.

"Suki told me you signed the divorce papers," Joel said straightforwardly. "Lori, I want to shoot my shot."

"Joel—"

Lorelei cut him off, her face turning pale. "Harold and I aren't officially divorced yet. I don't want to drag anyone else into this."

"And besides, I'm not looking to jump into any kind of relationship right now. Not for a long time."

It was as polite of a rejection as she could muster.

"I know." Joel's lips curved upward into a perfectly gentlemanly smile. "That's why I'm here to get in line. I'll wait for you to finalize your divorce. And if you ever decide you're ready for a new relationship, I hope you'll consider letting me be first on the list."

"Joel, I..."

Lorelei sat frozen, feeling as though something was lodged in her throat.

From the very beginning, she had only ever seen him as an older brother figure. She never had any romantic feelings for him whatsoever.

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