The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 228

She spun around and hurried off before he could say another word.

When it came to Elio, she couldn’t help but feel cautious. The guy practically had “player” written on his forehead. Mix in someone like Steven, who pretended to be sweet but was actually a pervert in disguise, and she was just… done. For the next few years, at least, she was swearing off relationships entirely.

Later, Lucie was back at her workbench, trying to shake off the weirdness and focus on her restoration work. She had a deadline—two artifacts needed to be finished by the end of the week. Next week, she’d have to head back to New Amberton. First, to take Elio to see the Madonna statue. Second, to track down a master embroiderer who could help her restore a delicate vintage gown. It was a lot, but at least it kept her mind busy.

Time flew and suddenly it was six in the evening.

Her phone started buzzing. Lucie glanced at the screen. Mick.

“Hey, Mick,” she answered, trying to sound upbeat.

His voice was as warm and polite as ever. “Lucie, what are you up to?”

“I’m at the studio, working on that painted figurine.”

“Perfect. I’m actually nearby. I was thinking of asking you to dinner, and I brought some extra archeology study notes for you.”

Lucie checked the time. Dinner sounded pretty good right about now.

“Mick, I’ve got two friends with me. If we go out, they’ll be coming too. Is that alright?”

He hesitated just a second, then said, “Oh, sure, that’s fine!”

“Great, I’ll be down in about twenty minutes.”

“Alright, see you soon.”

Lucie hung up, wrapped up the last of her work, and stepped out of the studio.

Elio was wide awake now. As soon as he saw her, he jumped up with a big grin. “Lucie, you’re finally done. I’m starving—let’s eat!”

Lucie nodded. “Elio, a friend’s waiting for me downstairs. I already promised to have dinner with him. Let me call June and see if she’s picked out her antique yet.”

Elio’s smile faded instantly. “Your friend—is it a guy or a girl?”

“A guy.”

He looked even more annoyed. “Just a friend?”

“Yeah. You’ve met him before.”

Elio frowned, trying to remember. “I have?”

“Yeah, he was the translator who helped me with my talk at the Elmridge exhibition.”

Elio thought for a second, then relaxed. “Oh, that guy. Never mind then.”

He remembered Mick: big black glasses, looked like a nerd, totally harmless. Just another regular guy.

Lucie called June.

No sooner had they stepped out than June appeared, bouncing over and throwing her arms around Lucie in a clingy hug. “Lucie, what are we eating?”

Lucie stiffened, instinctively trying to wriggle free. “Uh, there’s a little bistro nearby. Is that okay?”

“Sounds perfect!”

“Let’s go.”

The three of them headed down to the parking garage.

Mick was waiting by his Audi, looking a little nervous. When he spotted Lucie coming out of the elevator, he waved. “Lucie, over here!”

She smiled and waved back.

But the second Mick noticed Elio and June coming along, his smile faltered. He’d expected Lucie’s friends to be quiet and calm, like her. Instead, he got… these two.

Lucie walked over to make the introductions. “Guys, this is Mick. We both work under Dr. Tate. This is Elio, we went to college together. And this is June—”

Before she could finish, Elio jumped in, grinning slyly at Mick. “Correction. I’m her first love. Future husband, too.”

Mick just stared, totally lost.

June huffed and tossed her hair. “And I’m his first love. His future wife, obviously.”

Mick blinked, adjusting his glasses, looking completely confused and out of his depth.