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Lunch continues, and the conversation shifts. Dad turns to us, a rare smile on his face. “Andrew, Emily, I wanted to say how impressed I am with the work at the Riviera Army Base. When are you planning the launch?”
I allow Emily to answer.
“We’re aiming for next month,” she says. “Everything’s coming together, and the marketing team is doing a great job of building up anticipation.”
“That’s wonderful,” Dad says, nodding approvingly.
Emily smiles, clearly pleased by the acknowledgment. “We’ve had a great team helping us.”
“Emily, would you mind if we had a word?” Daniel says, cutting into the conversation.
My body goes rigid. What the hell does he want to talk to her about? I glance at Emily, ready to intervene if she looks the slightest bit uncomfortable.
“Of course, Daniel,” she says.
They step a few paces away, still within view, and I watch as Daniel leans in, standing too close for my liking.
My fists clench under the table, and I have to resist the urge to go over there and pull her back to me. I’ve seen Daniel work his charm, and I don’t trust him, not for a second.
But then Emily flashes me a quick, loving look and smile that instantly puts me at ease. It’s a silent reassurance and it calms the storm brewing inside me.
Chapter 28: Emily
“You really do love him?” Daniel asks, wonder in his voice.
I nod surprising myself by admitting aloud the one thing I’ve been too frightened to give much thought to. “I love Andrew.”
Daniel sighs. “No one to blame but myself. I shouldn’t have—”
“Don’t,” I say cutting him off. “We would never have worked. We’re too different. Andrew and I understand each other and well…we’re good for each other.”
Daniel throws a glance at his brother before swinging his gaze back to me. “Lucky bastard. Let me know if he ever hurts you. I'll make sure he regrets it,” he says in a fierce tone that makes me laugh.
“Andrew wouldn’t hurt a fly.” I’m the one likely to hurt him.
His words in the car, play back in my mind.No more secrets.
My stomach churns and I feel like I’m going to be sick. I can’t keep lying to Andrew and his family about my father.
He watches me for a beat longer, like he’s trying to see past the mask I’m wearing, but then he nods. “Alright. But if you need anything, you know where to find me.”
I offer him another smile, and we start walking back, but inside, I’m a mess. I can’t keep pretending everything is fine, not with Andrew’s words still lingering in my mind.
With that, we head back to the table. Andrew looks up, his eyes flicking between us, and I can tell he’s been watching, waiting, trying to read the situation.
I offer him a reassuring smile, and the tension in his shoulders eases slightly.
“Everything okay?” he asks, his hand finding mine under the table.
“Perfect,” I say, squeezing his hand. “Let’s finish this lunch so we can go home.”
Lunch wraps up with the usual light chatter, and I find myself playing the part of the attentive daughter-in-law, answering Barbara’s questions and laughing at Daniel’s jokes.
But all I can think about is getting out of here, back to the quiet and privacy of our own space.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, we say our goodbyes. Barbara hugs me tightly, and Andrew shakes hands with his dad, but I can feel the impatience radiating off him. He wants to leave just as much as I do.
The car ride home is quiet, but it’s a comfortable silence. Andrew rests one hand on the steering wheel and the other on my knee, occasionally giving it a gentle squeeze.