“Don’t mention it.


    You’ve put in the effort too.


    I merely showed you the way.


    ”Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “You’re my guiding light.


    ” Then, Xiomara lifted her ss and took another big sip.


    “Thank you, truly.


    ”


    Xiomara had drunk too much and Lindsey couldn’t move Xiomara by herself, so Sumner came to help her.


    “I’ve got this.


    ”


    The pleasant scent of Sumner enveloped Xiomara, bringing aforting familiarity.


    She leaned closer, murmuring in a daze, “Sumner…”


    Lindsey, still slightly uneasy around Sumner and also hoping to foster a connection between him and Xiomara, suggested Sumner take Xiomara home.


    She insisted she could manage a taxi ride on her own.


    “I’ve ordered a designated driver for you two.


    Please take her home and make sure she’s safe.


    ”


    ‘s BunnyBookery


    Sumner watched Lindsey turn away without a backward nce.


    He felt a pang of sadness.


    Had he made her so ufortable that she felt the need to avoid him constantly?


    When the designated driver showed up, Xiomara was still drunk.


    Sumner gently guided her to the car.


    She wasn’t heavy, but she clung to his neck a little too tightly, murmuring indistinctly.


    With a slight frown, Sumner secured her in the seat and buckled her in.


    The driver inquired about their destination.


    Sumner hesitated, then asked Xiomara, “Where do you live? I’ll take you there.


    ”


    “I… don’t, don’t want… to go home… No…” In her drunken state, Xiomara barely managed to open her eyes and questioned, “Who are you?”


    “I’m Sumner.


    I’m going to take you to your home.


    What’s your address?”


    Upon hearing his name, Xiomara visibly rxed.


    His calm, steady voice eased her nerves, and she obediently gave him her address.


    It took Sumner a few tries to catch what she said clearly.


    He then ryed the address to the driver.


    Peering from the rearview mirror, the drivermented, “Young man, your girlfriend seems really ufortable.


    ”


    “She’s not my girlfriend,” Sumner replied bluntly.


    To him, Xiomara was just a colleague from work, perhaps a friend at best.


    He could sense something in her gaze towards him, but his own feelings were reserved for Lindsey.


    But she didn’t care about him.


    Sumner’s words shed through Sumner’s heart, leaving it wounded, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes.


    Not a peep was exchanged during the journey.


    After navigating the winding roads, it took nearly an hour before they arrived at Xiomara’s neighborhood at midnight.


    Sumner peered out of the car window at the dpidated neighborhood, devoid of any semnce of affluence.


    His brow furrowed, and he turned to the driver, questioning, “This is it? We’re here?”


    “ording to the GPS, this is the spot.


    ”


    Sumner was momentarily speechless, shaking Xiomara awake.


    “Wake up.


    Check if this is your ce.


    ”