The Sway and Slide of Love

Noelle didn't answer. Instead, she turned her head to look out the car window.

Silence settled over the inside of the car.

After a moment, Rosie broke the quiet. "Mommy, I still want to hang out with Seline."

"I know. I've already made plans to have dinner with her tonight."

"Is Mr. Pritchett going, too?" Rosie asked.

As soon as she spoke, Noelle glanced at Hendrix. She wasn't worried about

anything else—just that Hendrix might suddenly lose his temper. But to her surprise, he didn't say anything, and the car continued to move smoothly forward.

Only then did Noelle answer Rosie softly, "Yeah."

Rosie nodded happily. "Yay! I like playing with Mr. Pritchett!"

"Why?"

"Because he's so good-looking, and I believe he can protect you, Mommy."

As soon as Rosie said that, Hendrix couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. Then, he shot Noelle a sarcastic look.

Noelle simply ignored him and smiled at Rosie.

Noelle had indeed made dinner plans with Dylan that evening. After all, it had been her fault for cancelling at the last minute that day. And since they were leaving Coppersville soon, if they didn't meet tonight, there wouldn't be another chance.

That said, Noelle wasn't ready to have dinner with him and Rosie together just yet. It would undoubtedly be awkward if it were just the three of them.

In fact, she had actually invited Seline to go with them to the amusement park last time. And when Seline found out Noelle had canceled their plans to go to the amusement park with Hendrix instead, she had been furious.

In Seline's opinion, what Noelle should have done was cut off all contact between Hendrix and Rosie. It didn't matter that he was her biological father.

She had no patience for Noelle's talk of creating "beautiful memories". As far as she was concerned, Rosie would have been better off if Hendrix were dead-at least that would have made things much simpler.

In fact, if Noelle hadn't told her that she and Rosie were leaving tomorrow, Seline wouldn't have agreed to meet tonight. Even when they finally saw each other, Seline's expression remained grim.

"So, you're leaving just like that? How carefree of you! How long has it even been? Weren't you the one who told me you were going to let Rosie take her time recuperating here?"noveldrama

Noelle chuckled and poured her another glass of wine. "That's on me. But I did message you earlier. Didn't you see it?"

"No!" Seline snapped without hesitation.

"Then, that's my fault. I should've been more persistent and kept messaging you. Sorry."

Noelle's sincere apology left Seline at a loss for how to continue her outburst. Just then, Dylan arrived, and Seline had no choice but to suppress her frustration.

"Good evening, Mr. Pritchett," Seline greeted him.

"Sorry for being late," Dylan said softly. "I suddenly remembered I left Rosie's present at home, so I went back to get it, which took some time. My apologies."

His tone was genuinely apologetic, and before Noelle could respond, Seline waved her hand and said, "You're only a few minutes late. Just sit down already. "Hey, Rosie. Come sit by me."

The restaurant had been Seline's choice. She had insisted that since Noelle was leaving, they had to have buffalo wings one last time. But now, with the four-person booth, seating arrangements were a bit tricky.

Before Noelle could say anything, Seline had already called Rosie over to her side, leaving the remaining empty seat next to Noelle, naturally.

Dylan didn't say anything. He simply nodded at Seline before taking his seat beside Noelle with ease.