My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1051

Emily’s brow furrowed.

Juliet let out a playful gasp. “Wow, Mr. Lane, someone actually turned down a gift from you? That’s a first.”

Andrew smiled, a little too casually. “It’s only because I brought it. If it were anyone else, she’d have come down right away.”

He kept his eyes on Emily as he spoke.

Emily’s lips curled into a cool, almost mocking smile. “Is that so? Maybe you should ask yourself why she’s fine with everyone else, but not you, Mr. Lane.”

Andrew nodded, pretending to be thoughtful. “You might be right. I should probably think about what I’ve done.”

Juliet watched the two of them, feeling strangely out of place. There were three people at the table, but it was like she didn’t belong in the little world Andrew and Emily had created. Ever since that trip to the resort, Juliet had sensed there was something going on between them, something neither of them would say out loud. It was impossible not to notice. From the moment Emily walked in, Andrew’s gaze hadn’t left her. Juliet was almost certain now that the “someone” Andrew kept talking about was Emily herself.

Emily could feel the conversation drifting in a direction she didn’t like, so she steered it back to safer ground. She started talking to Juliet about the self-driving car project. Their voices stayed calm and even, all business, and the atmosphere in the private room settled into the kind of polite, professional mood Emily had wanted.

But Andrew’s gaze was still there, fixed on her like always. He’d chime in now and then, but his attention never really left Emily. His stare was so intense, Emily had to make a real effort to ignore it, focusing instead on her conversation with Juliet.

When they finally wrapped up the work talk, Emily felt herself relax a little. She ordered a few desserts, hoping to lighten things up.

Now that the business was out of the way, Juliet’s curiosity got the better of her. She glanced at Andrew, then at Emily, and caught that same look in Andrew’s eyes. Juliet smiled. “You and Ms. Blair seem pretty close.”

Emily opened her mouth, but Andrew beat her to it, letting out a soft, almost teasing laugh. “I wouldn’t dare say that. You’d have to ask Ms. Blair what she thinks.”

Emily kept her head down, pretending to be busy with her phone, not looking at Andrew at all.

He glanced at her, then stood up, forcing a pale smile. His voice was low and just a little rough. “Let’s go.”

At first, Emily walked next to Juliet, with Juliet in the middle. But as they made their way out, somehow Emily ended up between the two of them, Andrew on her left. His arm kept brushing against hers every now and then.

Emily frowned, slowing her steps, hoping to put some space between them.

Suddenly, Andrew caught her wrist. He leaned down, his breath warm against her ear, and murmured, “You really don’t want to be near me?”