My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 180

In the lounge, Emily Blair stood about six feet behind Andrew Lane, her arms hanging loosely at her sides. The sensation of massaging Andrew’s temples still lingered on her fingertips, and she felt more than a little out of place.

The voices outside the room faded away, and Emily’s racing heart gradually steadied.

Ahead of her, Andrew Lane raised a hand and rubbed his forehead.

Clearing her throat, Emily finally spoke up. “Are you good now?”

Andrew answered with his usual brevity. “Keep going.”

Emily stared at him, speechless.

With a resigned sigh, she walked over and began to knead his temples again. “You know, I expect to be paid for this.”

Andrew closed his eyes, his expression relaxing as her fingers worked. He didn’t reply, but the calm on his face spoke volumes.

No answer meant agreement.

Leaning forward, Emily lowered her voice. “I want you to call Amelia Lane in here. I have something to ask her.”

Andrew’s tone stayed flat. “Something important?”

“Of course it’s important.”

As she spoke, Emily’s attention wandered, and her massage grew lighter.

Andrew clicked his tongue, his voice low and smooth. “Focus.”

Emily resisted the urge to roll her eyes and immediately pressed harder, making sure he couldn’t complain.

“Seriously, get Amelia Lane in here,” she insisted.

Andrew still didn’t open his eyes or respond.

Knock, knock, knock—

Suddenly, another knock at the door made Emily’s heart seize up.

She jerked her hands away and glanced quickly at the door.

“Andrew, are you in there?” came Isabella Austin’s voice from the hallway.

Emily’s mind froze, scrambling for a plan, but the doorknob was already turning from the outside.

“Andrew, I’m coming in.”

Emily held her breath, reacting faster than she could think, ducking behind a tall cabinet to hide.

Isabella Austin entered the room.

She spotted Andrew Lane, eyes closed and resting on the sofa. “Andrew, so you are in here. Why didn’t you say something?”

Peeking from her hiding spot, Emily could only see the edge of the sofa from her angle.

Caught off guard, Emily met Andrew’s gaze for a split second.

Isabella seemed to sense something and started to turn her head in Emily’s direction.

Emily’s heart skipped a beat.

Thankfully, Andrew quickly looked away, and Isabella’s attention returned to him.

“Andrew, your tie’s crooked. Let me fix it.”

Isabella’s slender hands reached for his loosened tie, leaning in until her upper body was nearly pressed against his.

From Emily’s vantage point, the two of them might as well have been embracing.

Andrew angled his body to give Isabella space, which gave Emily a clear view of his face.

He lowered his gaze, dark eyes focused solely on Isabella’s face.

Emily quickly looked away, fixing her eyes on the white wall instead.

A moment later, Isabella’s voice broke the silence. “There. Let’s go.”

Their footsteps sounded as they moved from the sofa toward the door, then the door closed behind them.

Everyone in town knew that Andrew Lane never brought a date to these events—at most, he’d show up with his personal assistant.