“This is my best friend, Caspian,” Larry replied.
“Hi, how is it going?” Caspian greeted the woman politely.
He smiled courteously at her. Caspian could tell from the woman's demeanor that she came from a prominent background.
“Hi, I'm Della, Larry's girlfriend,” she replied bluntly.
Caspian was dumbfounded. Larry was stirred up by Della's self-serving reply and growled at her, “Della, watch your mouth!”
Despite his serious objection, Della did not seem to care at all about the man's perspective.
“Um, Larry, care to explain what's going on here?” Caspian stammered.
“It's as simple as what you are witnessing. Larry Norton here is my boyfriend. I'm Della Duff, his girlfriend,” Della announced matter-of-factly.
Her explanation did little to alleviate Caspian's confusion as his gaze shifted between Larry and Della in befuddlement.
How is this possible? Larry only has eyes for Joan, it's unlikely that he has fallen for another girl. Was there some kind of accident that I don't know about?
“Caspian, don't listen to her. It's all nonsense,” Larry tried to explain.
“Why are you so shy? That's not how I remember you,” Della said while lifting the man's chin playfully with her finger.
Why are they interacting so intimately? Caspian took a step back instinctively and attempted to retreat from the ward when the man on the hospital bed called out, “You stop right there!”
Caspian stopped midstride and asked, “Yes, Larry?”
“Who said you can excuse yourself?” Larry barked.
Caspian floundered, not knowing what to do next. Do I just stand here while the two flirt? I can't watch that any longer! At last, he smiled awkwardly and fell silent.
“There's something I need to discuss with Caspian. Leave us alone,” Larry said aloofly to Della.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Touch of Sweetness novel (Finnick and Vivian)