bChapter /bb364 /b

    On this bright summer day, the handsome man led a cute golden retriever, both smiling at Jessica,

    “Jessi, what a coincidence. Jake said Pancake’s fur was a bit dirty, so I brought it to get and his eyes were full of deep affection as he looked at her.

    cleaned. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Brian’s voice was gente

    Anyone with sense could see his feelings for Jessica.

    ‘As if I would believe that,‘ Jessica thought.

    She stepped forward quickly, wanting to take Pancake’s leash. “You can leave now,” she said sharply.

    He’d been quiettely, and she’d thought he’d taken her words to heart. Clearly, that wasn’t the case.

    When Brian heard her words, his grip on the leash tightened suddenly.

    Jessica tugged twice but couldn’t pull it free. She turned around and red at him. “Let go.”

    But Brian just squatted down, picked Pancake up, and said with a sad look, “Poor Pancake. Your owner has a new favorite now and doesn’t want us old ones anymore. What will you do from now on?”

    He talked to Pancake, but his mncholy eyes were fixed right on Jessica. He was clearly referring to himself.

    Jessica was speechless. ‘How have I never noticed Brian’s such a drama queen?‘ she thought.

    Just then, Pancake seemed to understand Brian’s words and whimpered at her.

    That made Jessica’s heart ache. She quickly reached out and took Pancake from Brian’s arms.

    This time, Brian didn’t pull any stunts.

    With Pancake safely in her arms, Jessica gently stroked its soft fur. Sheforted it for a while before taking it to the staff to book the most luxurious grooming package for it.

    Brian followed behind, making suggestions.

    Since what he said was actually right and Pancake liked him too, Jéssica couldn’t just force him to leave. In the end, she just let him stay.

    Noticing this, Brian grew even more pleased.

    When Jessica followed the staff into the pet grooming area with Pancake, Brian casually walked over to Wesley.

    “iSorry /ito interrupt iyour /ilittle date with Jessi,” Brian said. “But looks like Jessi still likes Pancake best. But that’s only natural. Pancake’s been her longestpanion. iNo /ilittle upstart pet canpare to bit/b.”

    Wesley didn’t get angry at Brian’s snide remarks. In fact, he had to fight back augh. He managed to hold it bin/bb, /bbbut /bBrian didn’t notice.

    “I’ll admit your cat’s cute,” Brian went ion/i, shooting Wesley a challenging nce. “But Jessi’s just curious for now. When bit /bes down to it, she’ll ipick /iPancake every time.”

    Wesley couldn’t hold it in anymore. He covered his mouth with a fist and turned his head, coughing to hide hisughter.

    Brian frowned, wondering, ‘Seriouslyi? /iHe can’t win an argument, so he fakes being sick? What a sore loser.”

    “What’s going on here?” Jessica walked out just then. She saw the scene and immediately demanded.

    Brian’s look at Wesley turned sharp.

    Wesley met his angry gaze and held up his hands innocently Wesley thought, ‘Honest to goodnessb, /bI didn’t do a bthing/bb. /b

    “Brian, that’s enough,” Jessica snapped, seeing Brian still ring right in front of her.

    ‘Could he be any more childish?‘ she thought.

    “Jessi…” Brian sounded hurt.

    Jessica didn’t even look at him. She went to Wesley and said, “I’m sorry, you had to see that.”

    She thought, ‘Brian can embarrass himself all he wants, but does he have to drag me into it? It’s mortifying

    Jessica nced at Wesley’s twitching mouth, feeling utterly worn out.

    “Ahem it’s fine. Don’t be upset,” Wesley said. “Mr. Atkinson didn’t do anything. He just said some interesting things… Ahem.” He’d almostughed pot loud at the thought of Brian treating him like a rival but managed to turn it into a cough just in time.

    But Brian noticed it. His face darkened. “Are youughing at me?”

    “That’s it. Knock it off. Isn’t this embarrassing enough?” Jessica yelled before Wesley could reply.

    She was really starting to think Brian was embarrassing himself.

    ‘Someday when Brian finds out who Wesley really is, he’ll probably look back at today and think the same, she thought.

    She thought she’d tried all she could to save Brian from making a fool of himself.

    But Brian didn’t get it at all. Still looking wronged, he said, “Jessi, you’re embarrassed by me? Just because you think I’m picking on himi?/i” He lifted a hand to point at Wesley as he spoke.

    Brian was genuinely hurt.

    Jessica put a hand to her forehead, feeling like fainting.

    She rubbed her temples hard, fighting the urge to snap. She forced herself to stay calm. “It’s not about him. Just stop looking for trouble.”

    1

    Brian clearly didn’t believe her. He opened his mouth to say more.

    Jessica clenched her fists. She felt her anger about to boil over.

    Just then, Wesley suddenly put a hand on iher /ishoulder. It was their first physical contact. Jessica’s first instinct was to pull away, but Wesley held her firmly.

    i“/iAlright, Jessi. Take it easy, iboth /iof you.” Wesley’s clear voice came from behind, calming her restless mood. “I’m sure Mr. Atkinson didn’t mean any harm. No need to get so upset.”

    “Save your fake ikindness/i,” Brian shot back.

    The more Wesley acted like that, the more phony he seemed to Brian.

    Wesley just smiled helplessly!

    Jessica took a deep breath. Looking at Brian being so stubborn, she itched to punch him.

    The tension between them was about to snap when a staff member came out, holding Tres, freshly bathed.

    Wesley quickly stepped forward to take Tres, using the moment to step out of the standoff.

    ‘Heaven knows I’m innocent.,‘ Wesley thought.

    24 JUL

    Jessica shot Brian a sharp re and turned to look at Tres. She was too fed up to say another word to him.

    When Tres saw her, it let out a soft “meow.”

    Jessica looked at Tres. Freshly bathed with fur treatment and grooming made its good looks even more striking. She felt her heart matt at how

    it was.

    “Who’s this pretty little kitty?” Jessica cooed.

    “Meow,” Tres replied.

    “Oh, it’s Tres. You’re so cute. Come here, let me give you a kiss,” Jessica said.

    As she leaned in to kiss Tres, Brian suddenly appeared with two bags of dog food.

    “Jessi, which of these do you think is better for Pancake?” Brian asked.

    Jessica nced up instinctively. They both looked fine. “Get both.”

    “Alright. What about toys? I saw some new ones for dogs over there. Should we get Pancake something, Jessi?” Brian went on smoothly.

    He started to lead her toward the toys. Anything to keep her from having a second alone with Wesley or his cat.

    Jessica didn’t notice at first, but after a few times, even if she were slow, she saw right through Brian. She was utterly exasperated.

    When Brian tried to drag her over to look at pet clothes, she finally stopped in her tracks. “Okay, we got the food and toys. Will you leave me alone? If you’ve got nothing better to do, go check if Pancake’s donei./ii” /i