The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 75

Maloney reacted with lightning speed, pulling Nora securely into his arms.

He lowered his head, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and murmured, "Did I hurt you?"

These days, Maloney was completely indifferent to his surroundings when it came to showing affection.

There were two people standing right there staring at them.

And he still just wrapped his arms around her and kissed her!

"I'm fine." Nora couldn't bear being this intimate in front of her best friend. She pushed against his chest. "Let go of me."

Maloney released her.

Nora instantly rushed over to Cassidy. "Cassidy, are you okay?"

Cassidy waved it off casually. "I'm fine, I'm fine."

While Nora anxiously checked on her friend, Maloney lowered his gaze, turning his attention to Parker. His voice was dangerously soft. "Parker. I am a married man. I have a wife. Do not link my name with other women again."

Parker still had the nerve to argue. "How does Seraphina count as just 'other women'..."

"And another thing," Maloney interrupted, his tone turning glacial. "Real men don't lay hands on women."

Parker's face flushed an ugly shade of red.

He felt entirely humiliated.

Cassidy had publicly embarrassed him, and as a fellow man, Maloney offered him zero solidarity.

He actually took the women's side.

Cassidy shot Parker a cold look.

Having known him for years, she could read exactly what was running through his mind.

"Just go home," Cassidy ordered.

Parker spun on his heel and stormed off.

He practically peeled out of the parking lot.

Cassidy shook her head, completely done with him. She hadn't even wanted him here; he had forced his way along.

"Ah! Stop talking!" Nora groaned. She knew Cassidy couldn't keep a secret to save her life!

The three of them were too loud together.

They accidentally ruined the elegant updo the makeup artist had just finished pinning for Jasmine.

Nora and Cassidy were promptly banished from the dressing room.

They retreated to the banquet hall.

With over an hour left before the ceremony started, the room was mostly empty, save for a few relatives from the Smith and Quigley families mingling in small clusters.

Scanning the room, Nora didn't see Maloney. She texted him, and he replied that he was in the rooftop cafe.

Nora told Cassidy she would be right back and took the elevator up to the top floor.

Maloney was sitting at a corner table on the cafe's open-air terrace.

As Nora approached, she realized he was on a phone call. Not wanting to interrupt, she simply blinked at him and moved to take the seat across the table. But before she could sit down, Maloney reached out, hooked an arm around her, and pulled her right onto his lap.