Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Cedric Hele and Jonah Hoez had both been drinking, so neither of them could drive. "Call a car service," Cedric told Jonah. "The three of us can go together." Joy Letherdale had bought the house across the hall from Cedric's just to get closer to him. Her best friend had warned her not to be so impulsive, saying a little distance kept things interesting. Joy had ignored her and rushed ahead anyway. So Cedric had only invited her along because they were headed in the same direction. Joy glanced at Snow Lyson, whose reluctance was written all over her face. Pressing her lips together, Joy contradicted Cedric for the first time. "I'll take Jonah home," she said, pointing at him. She understood Cedric's coldness. She understood that he was trying to push her away. Pretending not to see it any longer would only make her pathetic. Cedric seemed caught off guard by her refusal. He still stood there holding the car door open for her. Joy didn't look at him. She turned and helped Jonah, who was swaying slightly, toward her car. Under the night sky, Cedric stared after Joy's car and didn't move for a long time. He only came back to himself when Snow impatiently urged him along. Then he opened the passenger door and got in. Before long, the two cars headed off in opposite directions. Joy had been driving for five minutes before she realized she hadn't asked Jonah for his address. She pulled over, took out her phone, and opened the navigation app. "Your place…" "Jonah Hoez. I'm guessing you didn't catch my name. I'm Jonah Hoez." Sitting in the passenger seat, Jonah tilted his head toward her and smiled warmly. Joy's finger stopped on the screen. She was about to speak when he added, "Follow this road to the end, then turn left. My place is another ten minutes down the road." Joy lowered her phone but didn't start driving right away. An inexplicable irritation welled up inside her, and she turned to look at him. It was the first time she'd really looked at him all night. Maybe it was just her imagination, but his handsome face seemed strangely familiar, as if she'd seen it somewhere before. She couldn't remember. Her thoughts were a mess. Joy shook her head. "I want a cigarette. Do you mind?" Jonah smiled and nodded. "Go ahead. Give me one too. I could use a smoke." Neither of them spoke after that. The cramped car filled with acrid smoke, so Joy cracked the window. The icy wind rushed in, clearing her head a little. "You like Cedric." Jonah's certainty made Joy freeze. A fresh ache spread through her chest. There it was. A stranger had seen right through her after sharing one meal with her, while Cedric had ignored her feelings for eleven years. Her unrequited love was almost laughable. Joy flicked her cigarette butt out the window. "Yes. I used you just now, but I'm not going to apologize. Cedric dragged you into this at the last minute, didn't he? We were both putting on an act, so we can call it a night." She started the car again, intending to get him home as quickly as possible. Jonah cracked his window and tossed out his cigarette butt. "Did you use me to get back at him?" Joy tightened her grip on the wheel. Bitterness churned inside her, but a mocking smile tugged at her lips. "Get back at him? He doesn't like me. What would I have to get back at him for?" Someone with a one-sided crush had no right to take revenge. She'd only wanted to preserve a shred of dignity for herself. Cedric wanted her to give up. Fine. She'd agreed to Jonah in front of Cedric only to show him that she could move on. Jonah fell silent for a moment before asking, "Are you still going to keep liking him?" The answer should have been easy. It took Joy a full ten minutes to swallow the pain in her chest. "No. I don't want to become some clingy pest he can't shake." Jonah studied her, his gaze unreadable. "I may be Cedric's friend, but he can't force me into something like this. I chose to do it." Joy kept her eyes on the road and ignored him.