Chapter 108
I looked at her in surprise.
Kelly scratched her head and said, "I think Ryan is really hot! I want to go after him!"
I almost spat out the water I'd just sipped.
I swallowed hard, thought for a moment, and hesitantly said, "He... has a woman."
I didn't say girlfriend.
After all, Lily had told me before that she and Ryan were just sexual partners, not a couple.
But Kelly clearly didn't catch my meaning.
She opened her eyes wide in surprise, "Ryan has a girlfriend? How come I didn't know?"
I smiled awkwardly and didn't explain further.
Just when I thought she'd be upset, I heard her shake her head.
"If he has a girlfriend, forget it. I'm not interested in being the other woman."
Kelly pouted, thought for a moment, then continued,
"So what do you think about Richard?"
Thinking of how I saw Richard at the bar last time with his arms around other women, I shook my head without hesitation, "Not good. I think he's too much of a player."
"But don't you think Richard is really handsome? It would be such a waste to let a hottie like that slip away. We can't waste this opportunity!" Kelly said.
I glanced at Richard in the distance.
His features were sharp and defined, definitely fitting mainstream beauty standards.
But I still shook my head, looked Kelly in the eye as she waited expectantly, and quietly advised her.
"Think long-term."
Kelly seemed to suddenly realize something, her eyes widening as she asked me curiously, "You keep turning Jason down because you're thinking long-term - do you have another guy on the side?"
I looked helpless, "Stop overthinking things."
"If you don't have another guy, then why won't you marry Jason? Look, you two already have a kid, and Jason really likes you. I've never seen him treat anyone this well. You two have to get back together!" Kelly got more and more worked up.
"It's not what you think, we..."
I was about to explain, but Kelly covered her ears and shook her head frantically.
"I'm not listening, I'm not listening! You two are meant to be together anyway!"
As I was struggling with what to do, Ryan, who'd been sitting on the other sofa, suddenly got up and opened the door.
When he came back in, I immediately spotted Lily following behind him.
"Lily!" I stood up right away, happily greeting her.
Lily didn't expect me to be here. She froze for a moment, then immediately let go of Ryan and walked toward me with a smile.
I briefly introduced them to each other.
Lily smiled sweetly, "Kelly, hi there."
Kelly didn't respond right away. Instead, she stared at Lily's neck in confusion and asked, "Lily, are you sick?"
Lily froze, then realized what she meant and instinctively raised her hand to cover her neck.
Kelly didn't give her the chance. She actually rushed over and pulled Lily's hand away.
"These red marks on your neck look so scary! Are you having an allergic reaction?"
Kelly looked puzzled, "But it doesn't quite look like that... Don't worry, my family owns a hospital, it's really good. I'll arrange for you to go see a doctor right now!"
"No need, no need, thanks for caring, but I'm fine!" Lily waved her hands frantically, looking at me for help.
Kelly didn't pick up on Lily's resistance at all, looking at her seriously.
"Lily, could this be hives? So many red marks, it looks really serious! Let's go to the hospital right now!"
With that, Kelly grabbed Lily and started pulling her toward the door.
Lily was completely embarrassed, trying to cover her neck with one hand while dodging Kelly's grip with the other, looking totally flustered.
I couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to stop Kelly, "It's fine, just sit down."
I pulled a scarf from my bag and wrapped it around Lily's neck, covering the marks.
Looking at Lily's somewhat tired face, I teased, "Pretty intense last night, huh?"
"Don't even get me started... He has absolutely no self-control. I feel like I'm dying!" Lily complained.
Kelly blinked curiously, "What was intense? Lily, did you and Ryan get in a fight?"
Lily's gaze fell on Kelly, her tone taking on a playful edge,
"Have you never had a boyfriend?"
"Who says?! I've had lots of ex-boyfriends!" Kelly's voice shot up immediately.
"So what have you done with them?"
The moment Lily's question came out, Kelly's previously confident expression instantly turned sheepish.
"Just held hands." Lily and I exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
Kelly finally realized what those marks on Lily's neck were all about.
But instead of being embarrassed, she curiously asked Lily about it.
Lily brushed it off with a smile.
When Kelly went to the bathroom, Lily whispered in my ear,
"Is Kelly's emotional intelligence a bit too low? How does she not understand social boundaries at all?"
I shrugged helplessly, "Can't help it, that's just how she is."
From spending time with her, I'd discovered that this was indeed Kelly's personality.
Lily shook her head, then asked me, "Have you and Jason made up?"
"No," I answered without hesitation.
"But you two are together all the time now. No one would believe you haven't made up." Lily shook her head, her eyes full of disbelief.
"Jason sticks around me all day now. No matter what I say, I can't get rid of him."
Not wanting to dwell on this, I changed the subject, "My mom is sick, early-stage cancer. My brother Luke brought her here for treatment."
"I remember the early stage just needed a minor surgery. They're not afraid of the hassle, coming all the way here." Lily shook her head.
She seemed to think of something and looked at me, "Sue, be careful. They haven't contacted you in all these years, and now that she's sick, they suddenly remember you. Don't go all out helping them, or they'll take advantage of you."
I had to admit, Lily was really good at reading people.
I murmured in agreement, absently running my fingers along my juice glass, lost in thought.
Lily patted my shoulder without saying more.
We left the club.
Ryan wrapped one arm around Lily's waist and waved at us, "We're heading out."
"Bye." I waved goodbye, then Kelly grabbed my arm.
She asked me in confusion, "What's the deal with Ryan and Lily? Are they close? Why did they leave together?"
I smiled helplessly without answering.
Kelly was silent for a moment, then suddenly her eyes widened in realization!
"So Lily is Ryan's girlfriend! That means those marks on Lily's neck were from Ryan..."
Jason suddenly interrupted, "You should head home now. Stop bothering us."