Reborn to Marry My Best Friend's Uncle novel Chapter 31

Christian's breath hitched for a split second before settling back to its usual steady rhythm. He let go of Annie and steadied her by the arm. "Careful."

Annie snapped back to reality. Her face was flushed a violent red as she hurriedly stepped back to put some needed distance between them.

"T-Thanks."

Her heart pounded like a drum, and her thoughts were a complete jumble. She dared not even meet his eyes.

Christian took in her flushed ears and slight panic in her gaze as his eyes darkened.

He subtly shifted the hand that had just circled her waist and curled his fingers as if still remembering the soft touch he'd just held.

That was when a middle-aged man in a suit briskly approached, wearing a polite, deferential smile. "Mr. Parker, Mr. Walker is waiting for you. He wants to finalize a few partnership details in person."

At that, Christian turned back to Annie. "I have some work matters to attend to."

"Well… Go ahead," Annie said quickly and waved, as if she was almost relieved.

Christian gave her one last deep look and nodded before turning to follow the staff member away.

Only when he disappeared into the crowd did she finally let out a long, shaky breath. Then, she lifted a hand to pat her still-burning cheeks.

What was wrong with her? It was just an accidental hug, so why was she having such a strong reaction?

"Get a grip, Annie!" she muttered to herself when a cold voice abruptly sounded behind her.

"Your standards have really hit rock bottom, Annie."

The voice…

All color drained from Annie's face as she spun around and found Sean standing behind her. His handsome face was twisted into an ugly scowl.

No, that wasn't how this was supposed to go.

Annie had loved him for years, so she couldn't have just stopped loving him. Everything she was doing must be another of her tactics.

Yes, that had to be it.

That thought immediately restored Sean's sense of control. "Drop the act, Annie. It won't work."

He let out a cold laugh, and his tone carried a superior certainty as he continued, "If you think this little stunt to get my attention proves you don't care, that's just childish. Let me tell you, the more you act this way, the more it shows you can't let me go.

"Besides, the man you picked…"

Sean cast a disdainful glance in the direction Christian had left.

"He's painfully average aside from his barely passable face, so how do you expect me to believe that you'd actually be interested in someone like him?"