A Life Debt Repaid novel (John and Cordy)

"Oh, so Quinn's getting ready," Zoe teased.

Quinn smiled shyly, while Cordy said, "You should plan sooner if you're sure, Quinn.

Don't hesitate." "Yeah, I know." On the other hand, Zoe felt that they had to drink something to make it a proper dinner.

"Since we're not boozing given our unique circumstances, let's stick to water.

Here's to our..." She paused for a moment before continuing.

"Smooth delivery? Though there's no telling when Quinn will get down to business!" "Then let's drink to our wishes coming true," Cordy offered.

"You're ready for the cultured one, Cordy," Zoe giggled.

"May our wishes come true, and may we stay as besties for life, even until our teeth fall off!" Cordy and Quinn raised their glasses, genuinely feeling fortunate that they could meet such loyal friends they share so much in common with.

The dinner lasted for quite a while, and the men boozed much longer than that.

Cordy, Zoe, and Quinn left the table, heading to the living room to watch TV and chat.

There was no sense of distance between them despite being apart for so long, and they seemed to have endless things to talk about.

It was the same for the four men at the dining table as well, even as they boozed and took turns going to the washroom.

They seemed to be bent on not leaving until they got drunk.

As it got late, John was the first one to fall.

His face was beet red and he could not walk steadily unless Richard helped him.

Cordy never saw John that drunk, but he probably let loose a little since it was some time since he met all his friends.

She was not upset either-it was late, but she could still keep chatting with Zoe and Quinn.

If anything, she was reluctant to leave too.

Nonetheless, after they helped John into the car with considerable difficulty, John was suddenly wide awake.

Cordy was left gaping at his reaction.

"You're sober already?" John smiled.

"Of course not." "Then, you were pretending?!" Cordy saw through him right then.

"Do you think those monkeys would let me go otherwise?" "It's fine.

You can hang out with them a little longer..." "That won't do," John rejected the idea right away.

"It's late, and the bundle in your belly needs to sleep.

Rising early is good for your health and your skin too." __..Fine, you win.' After John left, Jay was floored too.

Zoe had no choice but to help him back to his room, and she had never seen him so drunk.

He was basically unconscious and would not wake no matter how hard she tried.

She could not carry him either, so it was Sam who wheeled Jay into his room and helped him on the bed.

When Zoe started to take off Jay's shirt, however, the door suddenly closed.

Zoe promptly turned to find Sam approaching and cried out in shock, "What are you doing, Sam Saunders?! Don't think you can do anything to me just because Jay's drunk-" "How low is your opinion of me, Zoe?! What do you take me for?" Sam snapped grumpily right then.

Zoe was speechless.

"Then why did you lock the door? We're alone in here." "T need to talk to you." "To me?" Zoe was left staring at Sam.