The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 260

Don caught the shift in Ivan's gaze and kinda got the gist of what had been bugging him.

As Ivan's friend, he got it.

If he were in Ivan's shoes, he couldn't say he'd be quick on the draw with decisions, either.

He didn't add anything more to it, just lifted his hand and gave Ivan a hearty slap on the shoulder, at a loss for words.

Sometimes, it's a split-second thought that puts worlds between us.

Ivan cracked a smile, all chill about it. "I know what I'm doing, no need to sweat it."

Don returned the smile, kept it short and sweet, and handed back the proposal.

"This plan's pretty solid, I'm down with it. If you and Sophia both give it the thumbs up, shoot it over to the client, let's see what they think."

Ivan nodded. "Got it."

Grabbing the proposal Don passed to him, Ivan said, "I'm gonna head back to my office."

Don nodded, watched him leave the room, and only after the door closed did he let out a long sigh.

He just felt like he had a headache.

Love-struck fools, both of 'em.

On one side, his friend who was practically his twin since diapers, and on the other, a confidant who's been there through work and life.

Both meant the world to him.

He had no idea how the two got tangled up together.

At six in the P.M., Don shot Brandon a text before shutting down his computer. [Heading out?]

As the matchmaker, he had to tag along for this dinner.

Just stepping out of the office, he bumped into Sophia, also on her way out.

"Cutting out early?" Don asked with a grin.

"Yeah."

Sophia gave an awkward chuckle, always felt a bit like a kid caught playing hooky when running into the boss at clock-out time.

Don just chuckled, trying to read her face for a hint of sadness or disappointment about Brandon's blind date, but nada.

Her smile was sweet and pure, with a touch of that caught-in-the-act shyness, seemingly oblivious to Brandon's matchmaking plans.

Don half-expected Sophia to hit him with a "Mr. Dempsey, you're off early too, huh?"

That would've given him the perfect in to nod and casually remind her about Brandon's date.

But Sophia didn't bite, just said "Mr. Dempsey, I'll be off then" with a smile and made to leave. Don couldn't help himself and blurted out.

"Why don't you join Brandon for dinner tonight, give him a little backup?"

Sophia paused, then turned back to him softly saying, "I don't think it's appropriate for me to go, I won't intrude. I hope Mr. Crawley finds a nice girl, fingers crossed for his blind date."

Right then, Brandon stepped out of the elevator, stopped in his tracks, and threw a glance at Sophia.

Sophia hadn't expected Brandon to come down, her smile freezing slightly.

Brandon's eyes calmly swept over her face, then shifted to Don. "Let's go."

With that, he turned and hit the elevator button.

Don was kinda thrown—Brandon personally coming to fetch him wasn't his usual M.O.

He glanced Brandon's way.