Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1808

That evening, Andrew returned to Serenity Villa to find all the luggage and preparations for tomorrow's departure were completely ready. His three girlfriends were incredibly enthusiastic about this upcoming trip.

Chantelle called him, saying she and Hank had already left to investigate the parasite poison situation down south.

Andrew told her to be careful, to which Chantelle responded with a cold laugh.

"I'm down here working my butt off while you get to live it up. Tomorrow you're taking your three ladies to Goldridge for what's basically a honeymoon. Talk about living the high life!"

Hearing the jealousy in her voice, Andrew chuckled. "Well, why don't you come with me then?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end before she huffed softly. "No way. You and I aren't even officially dating, so why would I go?"

Andrew felt a headache coming on. "Didn't we already agree on this before? When you get back from this business trip, I'll announce our relationship to Lauren, Fran, and Aspen!"

Chantelle shrieked, "No, absolutely not!"

Andrew was confused, "Isn't that what you wanted?"

Chantelle gritted her teeth through the phone, "I do want it, but you need to give me time to prepare mentally! I've never had a boyfriend in my entire life! And besides, we did things backwards… That's embarrassing to admit!"

Andrew asked, amused, "Backwards how? What do you mean?"

Chantelle laughed in exasperation. "You really don't get it? Are you playing dumb? We got physical and slept together before making things official."

Andrew smiled, finally understanding, "Okay, that's actually a pretty accurate way to describe it! We'll do it your way. Whenever you're ready, I'll make the announcement."

Chantelle said flatly, "Andrew, I might be away for several days this time. Will you… miss me?"

He did not expect her to ask something like that after all that back and forth, but he smiled and replied, "Of course, I'll miss you."

She gave a soft chuckle but quickly tried to cover it up. Then, she added nonchalantly, "So Andrew… do you love me?"

Now that was starting to sound cheesy, but Andrew held it together and replied, "Yes, I love you. Every day, 100 times over."

Chantelle snorted. "Liar. Whatever. I'm hanging up."

The beeping tone echoed in his ear, and Andrew was left speechless. So it was official—Chantelle had fallen hard. The woman who once acted cold and aloof now sounded all soft and clingy, asking mushy questions and getting flustered.

Andrew took a deep breath and muttered, "That makes four… I'm starting to feel the pressure. But a man's gotta deliver. No backing down now—gotta keep going!"

Just as he hyped himself up, his phone rang again. This time, it was Yara.

She yelled, "Daddy, so you're leaving town and didn't even tell me? You're the worst! I don't care. Tonight, you're taking me to dinner, and then we're getting a room!"

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