My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 972

Andrew Lane toyed with his fishing rod, the soft glow of dawn casting a rosy hue across his face, sharpening the lines of his features and making them even more striking.

He didn’t bother to look up as he spoke, his voice calm and deep. “So, is this spot taken? Or did you two already make a reservation?”

Elizabeth Wilson was left speechless, glaring at Andrew in disbelief.

Emily Blair turned away, refusing to meet his gaze.

She shot Elizabeth a look that said, “Let’s just leave it at that.”

The easy, cheerful mood between Emily and Elizabeth dissolved the moment Andrew arrived, leaving an awkward tension hanging in the air.

The three of them sat together. Emily didn’t want to say a word with Andrew so close by.

And since Emily stayed quiet, Elizabeth found herself with nothing to say either.

In the end, Elizabeth simply slipped on her headphones, letting a slow, mellow tune wash over her ears.

A heavy silence settled among the three.

It was Andrew who finally broke it. “Were you upset last night?”

Emily’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, her tone icy as she replied, “No.”

Last night. Upset.

Elizabeth’s ears caught those words immediately. She snatched off her headphones, suddenly alert and listening closely.

Andrew almost smiled. “Was it because I said I didn’t want you seeing Tristan Davis? Is that why you were mad?”

Emily’s reply was clipped and flat. “Whether you want me to or not, I’m with Tristan now.”

The faint hint of a smile faded from Andrew’s eyes. “Right.”

Emily’s expression grew more distant, annoyance simmering just beneath the surface.

But Andrew wasn’t ready to let her off the hook; he seemed determined to tease her.

He suddenly asked, “How long have you been with him?”

Emily’s voice was colder than ever. “Does that have anything to do with you?”

Andrew’s lips curled into an amused smile, something almost playful in his eyes. “Or did you forget?”

Emily refused to take the bait. Her tone was sharp as a blade. “What does it matter to you?”

Before Andrew could say anything else, she cut him off. “Mr. Lane, we’re supposed to be fishing. If we keep talking, we’ll scare the fish away, don’t you think?”

No sooner had she finished speaking than her float bobbed, tugged sharply downward.

Elizabeth gasped, excitement bubbling in her voice. “There! You’ve got a bite! Reel it in, hurry!”

Emily should have been delighted to get a bite so quickly, but she found it impossible to smile.

Because Andrew, beside her, let out a soft chuckle. “Looks like talking doesn’t bother the fish after all.”

Face stony, Emily reeled in her catch.

It was a decent-sized fish—nothing remarkable, but nothing to scoff at either.

It was the first catch of the day, and it drew the attention of the other anglers nearby.

Juliet Thomas noticed, making her way over from the crowd.

“Well, that was quick. Congratulations.”

Emily’s business smile slipped easily into place, replacing her previous scowl. “Just lucky, I guess.”

She offered her left hand for a shake. “Ms. Thomas, nice to meet you. Emily Blair, Vertex International.”

Juliet’s makeup was understated, making her look crisp and professional, her gaze sharp and appraising.

Andrew gave a low laugh, a smile tugging at his lips. “Not a girlfriend. Not yet.”

Juliet’s eyebrows shot up. “So, you’re courting Ms. Gomez?”

Andrew nodded. “Something like that.”

Juliet gave a wistful little sigh. “Looks like my team’s going to be disappointed. But now I’m genuinely curious—what kind of woman does Mr. Lane find himself attracted to?”

Andrew brushed his brow and chuckled. “I’ll let you know if there’s any good news.”

Elizabeth was practically thunderstruck by Andrew’s words, her neck stiff as she glanced at Emily.

Emily’s composure was crumbling—her expression darkened, and she turned away, gripping her fishing rod and pretending to be absorbed in the water, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

Just when Emily thought the storm had passed, a snide voice chimed in from nearby—Larkin Porter, with his usual sarcasm.

“Isn’t Ms. Blair his girlfriend?”

Everyone turned to look, noting first the fresh bruise on Larkin’s face.

It was the kind of bruise you only get from a fight. The group exchanged glances, and then, remembering what Larkin had just said—Ms. Blair—they all put two and two together.

Some among them had witnessed Emily and Larkin’s altercation the night before. Now, it all made sense.

Juliet was genuinely taken aback this time. “Ms. Blair?”

All eyes were on her now; there was no way Emily could play it cool.

She turned, her face cold and unreadable. “Mr. Lane is joking. There’s nothing to it, everyone.”

Juliet glanced from Emily to Andrew, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but she let the matter drop.

Larkin, however, seemed determined to expose whatever “secret” he believed Emily and Andrew were hiding.