Chapter 38 I’m Pretty Good at This
“No…” she protested.
“So you want to sleep with me?” he pressed.
“Not that either…” Her voice trailed off.
“Where will your family or friends stay if they came to visit?” she asked, and shoved two small pieces of steak into her mouth.
“If your friends come over, we can free up some rooms upstairs,” he replied, then added,
“I’ll be staying at the old estate in February, so things will be hectic for a while.”
“Then should I leave my door unlocked tonight?” she asked; her cheeks were flushed.
Liam lifted his gaze slightly to meet hers.
He pondered for two seconds before replying.
“No need.”
She exhaled softly, a faint smile touching her lips.
He smiled softly.
…
Early the next morning, Emma woke up in a particularly cheerful mood.
She descended the stairs in her freshly changed workout clothes.
Opening the refrigerator, she was stunned.
Small containers, neatly lined on the shelves, each one carefully labeled by Liam.
This guy… he’s truly thoughtful.
She took out the sausage patties and placed them in the pan.
Buzz… Ryan called.
“Ryan, what is it?”
“Emma, come out. I’m at your door.”
She turned off the stove and hurried outside.
Ryan was leaning against a white car, looking rather rough.
“Emma, your ride.” He crouched slightly and extended his right hand in a gentlemanly gesture.
Emma froze, circling the car. It was the latest model BMW.
“This car…”
“It’s yours now.” Ryan tossed the keys to her.
She caught them quickly and held them carefully.
It must cost over a million dollars!
“I only asked him to lend me a regular car, but he—”
“This is the most ordinary one! He still wasn’t satisfied. I spent all night picking it out. Look!” He pointed to his dark circles under his eyes.
“New?” she asked.
“Yes.” He nodded, then said, “I should go back to work.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be off? Why go back to work?” Emma blinked.
“It’s all because of you.” Ryan opened the door and gestured for her to get in and take a look.
“What does this have to do with me?” Emma sat in the driver’s seat while he took the passenger seat.
“He pushed all the work forward to free up time for Thanksgiving. He wants to spend time off with you.”
Emma froze.
“Ryan, your logic is flawed. Why would he make time to be with me?”
“He likes you, don’t you know?”
“Liam is not blind.”
“Then what’s all this?” Ryan gestured toward the perfume, flowers, and pink seat covers in the car.
“Didn’t you arrange this?” She stared blankly.
“Do I have that much free time, Emma?”
“…”
“Did you provoke him again? We got dragged back to work yesterday,” Ryan asked.
Emma’s face flushed.
Could he really like me?
No—impossible.
It’s just because we’re married.
Ryan glanced at his phone and said, “All right, enjoy yourself. I should go.”
He got out and hurried toward the exit.
Emma pursed her lips and sent him a message: \[Thanks, I love it.\]
Liam: \[Okay.\]
She drove the car back to the garage and headed home for breakfast.
In the late afternoon, David texted her: \[Do you need me to pick you up?\]
Emma: \[No need, thank you. Please bring my racket.\]
Stellar Way Arena—a luxury sports complex in City A.
The elevator stopped at the top floor. After the receptionist verified her identity, Emma was escorted inside.
She wore a gray, form-fitting yoga top and black sneakers, and her hair was pulled back into a loose, polished ponytail.
“David.” She called as she spotted him in the crowd.
“You made it, Emma.” He grinned.
“Not too late?”
“Not at all. Perfect timing.”
She noticed two familiar faces among the group: Jack and Lily.
Jack spotted her first and waved. She nodded back.
“Know them?” David asked; his gaze searching her face.
“They’re the new managers at my company. Huh. You and them… ”
Emma broke off.
“We went to school together,” David explained, then turned to the other two men. “Oliver, my client. And his friend, Daniel Wright.”
“Oh.” She nodded with a smile and started warming up.
“Nice to meet you.” Oliver greeted.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Emma smiled.
“Nice necklace.” Oliver pointed to the ring hanging around her neck.
“Thanks.” Emma met his deep gaze and knew he was no ordinary guy. She quickly tucked the necklace under her shirt before Lily glanced at her.
While the others played, Oliver took out his phone and texted Liam: \[Your wife’s here with lots of admirers.\]
Liam, who was handling paperwork in his office, saw the message and opened the video. Emma was beaming after winning the point and radiating pure energy. She even high-fived the man beside her.
His brow furrowed as he recognized the man who had walked her back to the hotel in S-Country.
“David,” he murmured.
“Please review this report, Mr. Hayes. There’s an issue.” An executive beside him stood waiting.
Liam snapped back, covered his phone, and resumed working.
…
“Read but no reply.” Oliver saw the two blue checkmarks below the message.
“Emma’s pretty impressive,” Daniel claimed.
“I invited Liam yesterday, but he rejected. Now his wife shows up,” Oliver said.
“With both his ex and his wife here, he probably wouldn’t come.” Daniel lit a cigarette and asked, “Does Emma know about Lily and Liam?”
“You’d better not tell her. If I had known Lily was coming, I wouldn’t have either,” Oliver said.
“It’s your turn.” Lily approached him, panting slightly.
“Manager Lily, you need to work on your stamina and technique. You’re no match for that new girl.” Oliver teased, stood up, and took the stage with Daniel.
Lily turned upset instantly.
“Don’t take it too seriously.” Jack soothed her.
The match had reached halftime.
After winning three or four consecutive games, Emma and David left the court to rest.
“Not bad, Emma,” Jack said, handing her a bottle of water.
“Thanks, Manager Jack. David’s the real coach here. I’m just the practice partner,” Emma said as she unscrewed the cap and took a small sip.
David’s outstretched hand froze in midair.
“Emma used to be on our tennis team. Her skills speak for themselves,” he remarked, setting the water back down.
“Maybe I need to ask Emma for lessons,” Lily said.
“You can’t even beat us; you truly should take some lessons.” Oliver chimed in.
“…”