A Night of Desire

"Haha, Clara, I thought that looked like you from outside! It really is you." Since River Sterling’s back was to Rhys Ryston, he didn’t notice her and just spoke cheerfully to Clara Grant.

"What are you doing here so early in the morning instead of snuggling under the covers with Seth? Where is he? Is he not with you? Did he sneak off to flirt with other girls behind your back?"

Clara Grant knew River Sterling loved to joke. Under normal circumstances, his words would’ve already made her blush, but right now, she couldn’t even spare a moment for embarrassment.

She sighed inwardly. ’Now I see why Ryston finds him so flippant and unreliable.’

If she hadn’t known what Ryston thought of River Sterling, she might have found the connection between their names—Rhys and River—to be quite fateful. But right now, she just wanted River Sterling to disappear.

Clara Grant snuck a glance at Rhys Ryston across the table. Just as she’d expected, Rhys’s brow was furrowed. She clearly wasn’t used to—and didn’t appreciate—River Sterling’s brand of humor, even if the jokes weren’t aimed at her.

She was suddenly at a loss for how to introduce them. Forcing a laugh, she said to River Sterling, "Brother Sterling, you’re always kidding around. Let me introduce you. This is Ryston—Rhys Ryston. Ryston, this is the River Sterling I was just telling you about."

Having forced her way through the introduction, Clara watched as River Sterling, upon hearing this was the very Rhys Ryston he’d been so eager to meet, immediately turned around with a smile, ready to say hello.

However, the moment their eyes met, the smile vanished from River Sterling’s face, and Rhys Ryston’s brow furrowed even deeper.

"It’s you?"

River Sterling nearly leaped to his feet. Wasn’t this the female designated driver who’d had the audacity to scorn him?

Rhys Ryston wasn’t as worked up as he was. She simply turned to Clara Grant and said coolly, "Clara, is this the person whose name you said was so serendipitously linked to mine? If so, I suddenly have the urge to change my name."

Her tone and expression made it seem as if she considered sharing a fateful connection with his name a complete disgrace.

Frustrated, River Sterling also turned to Clara Grant and said disdainfully, "Clara, are you sure she’s the author of *You Are My Eternal Love*, the book we want to buy the rights to? If I’d known it was written by some old maid, I wouldn’t want to buy it anymore."

Before Clara Grant could stop him, Rhys Ryston shot to her feet, her cheeks flushed scarlet with rage. "You! Who are you calling an old maid?"

"You, of course! Look at how you’re dressed—how could you not be? You’re a walking piece of history. In fact, ’Antique’ would be a more fitting name for you!"

Rhys Ryston was so furious her chest heaved. She gritted her teeth. "You damn bastard! You don’t want to buy it? Fine, because I’m not selling anymore! I’m sorry, Clara, I have to go."

With that, she turned and walked away.

By the time Clara Grant came to her senses and scrambled to her feet to call her back, Rhys had already strode quickly away.

River Sterling plopped down in Rhys Ryston’s seat, still fuming. "Fine, don’t sell it! I don’t want to make the movie anyway!"

Clara Grant was about to die from frustration. Everything had been settled, and then he’d shown up and ruined it all. She also sat down in a huff, shooting River Sterling an irritated glare. "Brother Sterling, you are so tactless!"

River Sterling glanced at her and muttered under his breath, "Well, it’s her own fault for pissing me off the other day!"

"What exactly happened? How did Ryston piss you off?" Clara Grant was curious. When had those two ever crossed paths?

River Sterling told her what happened with the designated driver the other night. Clara Grant didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "But you were clearly the one at fault! How can you say *she* was the one who pissed *you* off?"

River Sterling opened his mouth to argue, but after a look at her, he said nothing.

After a moment, he looked back at Clara Grant and asked awkwardly, "Clara... so, what do we do now?"