Ethan's "Thalassa" echoed through the phone speaker, and only then did Lysander's expression slightly improve.
Lucky for Ethan, he knew to use the n"Thalassa" - it was like a magic word for Lysander. Otherwise, Lysander's icy demeanor might have traveled through the phone and given Ethan a virtual frostbite.
Feeling Lysander's chilly vibe dissipate a bit, Ethan shifted the conversation to Lydia, easing Thalassa's nervousness somewhat. She replied to Ethan's query, "Yeah, we've known each other since we were kids, grew up in the ssmall town." "So, you must know Lydia pretty well. How many times has she been in love? What happened with her exes?" Ethan bombarded her with questions.
Thalassa sensed Ethan's subtle interest in Lydia, now digging into her love history.
It seemed Ethan was genuinely curious about Lydia.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEthan was fishing for insights, trying to understand Lydia better.
As Lydia's close friend, Thalassa couldn't just make stuff up in front of her admirer.
She honestly said, "Well, I'm not quite sure. We used to hang out as kids, but after growing up, I went off to college, and she joined the army. We've lived separate lives as adults and haven't kept in touch much. I don't really know if she's dated anyone." "Ah, I see," Ethan stumbled, his plan to learn about Lydia's romantic past hitting a snag. The person who knew Lydia best had no clue about her dating history.
Now, Ethan was back to square one, wondering whom to ask next.
Just then, Thalassa's voice cthrough again: "Lydia served under Lysander in the army. He might know about her dating life." "Oh, Lysander knows?" Ethan perked up, seeing a glimmer of hope.
On the other end, Thalassa handed the phone to Lysander.
Lysander shot her a look that screamed he wasn't thrilled about meddling in others' affairs.
But, since Thalassa passed him the phone, he reluctantly took it and grunted a monosyllabic greeting.
Knowing Lysander was on the line, Ethan eagerly went straight to the point: "Lysander, Lydia was under your command. Did she date anyone while in the service? How did it end?" Lysander, his good friend, would surely give him the scoop! Ethan listened intently, ready for the details.
"Who told you it ended?" Lysander retorted.
Ethan was flabbergasted, taking a moment to process.
What? Was Lydia not single? Ethan, now smitten with Lydia, felt as if Lysander's words were a bucket of ice water dumped head, leaving him chilled over his Even Thalassa, listening in, was taken aback, her face full of confusion.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcore.
Did Lydia have a boyfriend? How cshe didn't know? "What, can't handle it?" Lysander threw another question before Ethan could respond.
Snapping back to reality, Ethan said, "My apologies, seems set my sights on the wrong target." Just as he was about to hang up, Lysander's voice stopped him.
"Ethan, not caring about women,
feeling down? That's rare. From what I know, Lydia didn't date anyone while she was under my comman ommand. As for other times, can't say, Lysander finally spilled the beans. Thalassa realized Lysander's initial remark was just to tease Ethan.
Lysander's ability to deadpan while being mischievously underbanded ve was indeed something else. X