Chapter 80: Crash Course in Love-1
For a moment, Maya just sat there-heart pounding, throat tight, her world quietly tilting off
its axis.
Damien’s words echoed in her chest-like a vow burned into bone.
“I’ll make one for you. One that’s only yours.”
She hadn’t expected tonight to end like this. Definitely not with that.
When silence finally filled the space between them-thick, humming-Maya did the only thing she could: break it.
She blinked, swallowed hard-then gave a shaky laugh, waving her hands like she could erase the weight of his words.
“Ahh… I get it now. You guys are ganging up on me, huh?” She turned to Damien, forcing a smile. “I can’t believe you’re fueling Harper’s imagination too!”
Her laugh was light, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Okay, enough of this wedding talk. I think these two have had way too much vino tonight.”
But no one laughed with her.
The table stayed quiet.
Too quiet.
Everyone just… stared.
Not with amusement. Not with teasing smiles.
Just quiet. Still.
Like they were all waiting for her to see something she was still trying to deny.
“What?” she asked, her smile faltering. “Why are you all looking at me like I grew three heads?”
Silence.
She fumbled, her voice pitching higher. “Come on-don’t tell me you’re siding with them?” Her gaze flicked to Damien. “I mean… You just asked me to be your girlfriend-barely hours ago. We haven’t even had a day.”
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Cinute. B0 Crash Course in Lave-1
A dry laugh slipped out. Sharp. Panicked.
“I mean, what if this doesn’t last? What if you meet someone else? Someone who fits your world better. Or-or the next intern walks in-she’s stunning, brilliant, has some intimidating
last name and-”
She didn’t get to finish.
Damien set his glass down with a soft but decisive clink, fingers tightening briefly before releasing the stem.
He leaned back, jaw taut, eyes hard. When he spoke, his voice was low-measured, but cold.
“Do you really believe that?”
Maya blinked. “What?”
He didn’t look at her right away. Just stared at the table, tension radiating off him in waves.
“You think I’d throw you aside the second someone ‘better’ comes along?”
Then he did look at her-and something in his eyes made her stomach drop.
“I’ve told you more than once,” he said, voice clipped but steady. “My life isn’t perfect. It’s messy. It’s dangerous. But I’ve been trying-changing-because of you. For you.”
His voice dropped further, almost raw. “Everything I’ve done since you walked in… it’s been for you. And you still think I’m just passing time?”
He cut himself off, jaw working.
“You have no fucking idea what I have to-”
“D.” Ashcroft’s voice cut in, calm but firm. “Let’s get some air, yeah?”
Damien didn’t move at first.
Then, wordlessly, he pushed back from the table and stood. Ashcroft followed, and the two of them stepped out onto the balcony. The glass door slid shut behind them with a quiet click
The silence left behind was suffocating.
No one spoke. No one moved.
Until James cleared his throat.
He hesitated, then looked directly at Maya.
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Bush 80, Crash Course in Love-T
“Ms. Maya,” he began gently. “I know it’s not my place… and maybe you’ll think I’m being biased. But do you remember what I told you in the hospital? When you asked me, ‘Why you?’
Maya dropped her gaze and nodded, throat tight.
James gave a small nod, his voice steady but heavier now. “What I said back then was true… but it wasn’t the whole truth.”
Beside him, Lee shot James a warning look that clearly said, Don’t do this.
But James just shook his head and pressed on.
James continued, his voice steady but earnest.
“You’re the only one who ever got past his walls-and you didn’t even have to try. He’s breaking rules for you. Crossing lines he once swore he never would. That’s not nothing, Ms. Maya.”
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.