My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 861

Emily Blair watched as the two approached—the smile on Tanner Miller’s face grew wider and brighter, while Amelia Lane, at his side, only looked more and more sour with every step.

She clicked her tongue quietly and leaned in closer to Tristan Davis, murmuring, “If it weren’t for your friend’s birthday party, I’d be out of here right now.”

Tristan’s lips curled into a smirk. “Too late. She’s already spotted you.”

Emily didn’t hesitate. “If things get ugly, you cover me while I make an exit.”

No sooner had she finished whispering than Tanner and Amelia stopped in front of them.

“Hey, you made it! Let me do the introductions,” Tanner said, his gaze soft and courteous as he looked at Amelia. “This is Amelia Lane—Ms. Lane. And this is my friend Tristan Davis. And beside him—”

“That won’t be necessary,” Amelia cut in.

Her smile had vanished, replaced by an expression of icy impatience.

Tanner, oblivious to the tension, tugged gently at Amelia’s hand. “Wait, you two know each other?”

Emily nodded, unruffled. “No need for introductions. Ms. Lane and I have met.”

Tanner’s eyes lit up. “What are the odds?”

Amelia suddenly pulled her hand from Tanner’s grip and folded her arms, her voice cold and clipped. “Not luck at all. Of course it’s you.”

Emily’s smile was faint, almost frosty, with none of the warmth of a chance encounter between old friends. “If I’d known you were coming, I’d have stayed home.”

Amelia’s face darkened even further.

Tristan shifted a little closer to Emily, just as uninterested in small talk.

At last, Tanner seemed to catch a whiff of the tension in the air. “Wait—what’s going on with you two?”

Emily tightened her grip on the ribbon of the gift box she was holding, thinking, Well, there goes the present.

Tristan raised an eyebrow at Tanner. “This might not be the kind of reunion you were hoping for.”

Amelia said, “Here are your options: either you cut ties with Emily Blair and I’ll keep seeing you, or you stay friends with her and I’m gone for good.”

Tanner looked completely shell-shocked, as if he couldn’t even process her ultimatum.

Emily let out a soft, derisive laugh and met Amelia’s glare. “Really, Amelia? This is between me and your family. No one else needs to get involved.”

Amelia sneered. “Can’t help it. Even after all these years, you still get under my skin. I’ve never despised anyone as much as I despise you.”

Tristan’s eyes darkened.

Emily gently took Tristan’s arm and said to Amelia, “Well, I’m flattered.”

Tanner pressed his hands to his head. “Whoa, whoa, whoa—what is happening right now? You’re all losing me here!”

Amelia jabbed her finger at Emily again. “It’s simple. It’s either her or me. You can’t have both.”

“Amelia,” Tanner pleaded, “don’t do this. Let’s just talk this out, okay? No need to get all dramatic.”