Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 462

"Hey, sorry we're late." The door swung open, and a male classmate walked in, followed closely by Theodore.

Emma's and Theodore's eyes met across the room.

Renee, sitting beside Emma, froze. "I swear, I didn't know he was coming," she whispered frantically.

The classmate who had arrived with him grinned obliviously. "Theodore was back in town, so I brought him along."

Theodore hovered awkwardly at the doorway. "I thought... you were in the UK." He didn't use a name, but everyone knew he was talking to Emma.

What could she say? If she had known he would be there, she wouldn't have come. But she had also assumed he was still abroad, never imagining they would cross paths at a reunion back home.

For a split second, Theodore looked as if he might turn and leave, but doing so would have made the situation even more bizarre. By making a scene, he would only embarrass Emma further. It was better to try and blend in.

Layton, a friend from his old basketball team, was the one who had invited him. "Theodore, sit here," Layton said, pulling him toward the empty seats next to him.

Theodore sat.

Layton and the others opened a bottle of hard liquor, but Theodore stuck to soft drinks, and Emma used the excuse that she was on medication. The others polished off the bottle and opened another. At first, the conversation was light, filled with nostalgic stories from high school. But as the alcohol flowed, the mood soured.

She glanced at Theodore, who was looking back at her. The restaurant's dim lighting obscured his expression, but it didn't matter. Her own heart felt nothing. It was ancient history. Whether other boys had liked her or not was irrelevant now.

"What is wrong with you, Carlisle?" Layton shot back, furious. "Why do you bring this up at every single reunion? It was years ago! If you liked Emma so much, here's your chance! She's single, you're single. Go on, ask her out! She's right here!"

"Layton!" Theodore's voice was sharp, the first sign of anger he'd shown all night.

"It's true!" Layton's face was just as red as Carlisle's. "You bring it up every time, just to make everyone uncomfortable! If you really cared about Emma, you wouldn't keep digging up this old garbage!"

"I'm sorry, he's drunk. I'm taking him home," Theodore said, grabbing Layton's arm and hauling him out of his seat.