My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 486

Emily Blair wasn’t blind; of course she could see Andrew Lane watching her from across the table.

She met his gaze calmly. “Mr. Lane?”

Only then did Andrew finally speak, his tone measured. “You’ve changed a lot over the years.”

Emily offered him a faint, flawless smile. “So have you, Mr. Lane. Oh, and I nearly forgot to congratulate you and Mrs. Lane on the birth of your son. I wasn’t able to make it to his first birthday party—work kept me away. I hope you don’t mind.”

Her smile was impeccable, as if she truly meant nothing more than polite congratulations between business partners.

Andrew studied her for a few seconds, his eyes darkening before he looked away. He handed the menu to his assistant. “I’ve already ordered a few things. Take a look and see if there’s anything else you’d like.”

Emily accepted the menu and, with quiet composure, added a few more dishes.

Andrew’s expression shifted when he heard her order something. “You never used to like that,” he remarked.

She handed the menu back to the assistant, her voice cool. “As you said, Mr. Lane, I’ve changed a lot over the years. It shouldn’t come as a surprise.”

Andrew gave a thin, fleeting smile. “True enough.”

Emily never lost sight of the real reason she was here. “Mr. Lane, about the Black & White Rabbit game license—do you have any further questions for me?”

Andrew countered, “Are you in a rush?”

Her smile faded a notch. “I thought you valued efficiency, Mr. Lane.”

He picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup, taking his time. “Efficiency is important, but it doesn’t mean we should skip a proper meal.”

Emily’s smile slipped away entirely. She nodded. “You’re right.”

With a few minutes to go before the food arrived, Emily had no interest in making more small talk. She took out her phone to reply to a couple of work messages. Just as she was about to put it away, a string of texts from Tristan Davis popped up.

Tristan Davis: [Are you there yet?]

Xavier Gonzalez? Emily frowned. She was well aware of Xavier’s devotion to Tristan—and just as aware of Tristan’s talent for talking his way out of anything. She wasn’t convinced Xavier could actually keep him in check.

She was about to reply when Andrew’s voice cut through the air, cold and clipped. “Is this how you treat business partners, Ms. Blair? I’m still sitting here, and you’re busy texting someone else?”

Emily, still looking down at her phone, paused. She set it aside and, when she looked up, her expression was serene again.

“Sorry, Mr. Lane. I had a few important messages to respond to. Hope you don’t mind.”

He grunted an acknowledgment.

For a while, silence settled over the private dining room.

Emily remained composed, but Andrew suddenly broke the quiet. “How have you been all these years?”

She offered a faint smile. “Thanks to you and Kevin Lane, I’ve been doing quite well.”