Chapter 466

Emily gave a careless nod. “Go on.”
Tristan started to jog away, but suddenly stopped, doubled back, and planted himself in front of her, searching her face intently.
“You’re not mad?”
His tone was awkward and conflicted, as if he were struggling to keep some frustration in check.
Emily couldn’t help but laugh. “Why would I be mad?”
Tristan opened his mouth, brow furrowing even deeper, but nothing came out.
She patted his shoulder. “Seriously, go after her. She’s really going to get away at this rate. It’s late, and it’s not safe to let a young woman wander around alone. Hurry up.”
Tristan looked even more exasperated, but managed to squeeze out one last sentence before leaving. “I’ll be back tonight, but you don’t have to wait up.”
“Got it. Now go already.” She waved him off.
Once Tristan was out the door, Emily let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She still wasn’t used to seeing him act like this.
When she got back inside, the sound of the door brought Emma hurrying from her room and straight into the kitchen. She came bustling out a moment later with a bowl of warm pudding. “Eat this before bed, it’ll help you sleep.”
Emily took a spoonful and swallowed it. “I know, Mom.”
Over the years, with nothing else to keep her busy and no job outside the house, Emma had thrown herself into cooking. She’d become a real master in the kitchen, and every time Emily came home late from work, there would always be a homemade snack waiting for her.
Emma came out with a second bowl. “Where’s Tristan? Didn’t he come back with you? I made some for him too.”
“Just leave it there,” Emily replied without looking up. “He’s got something to take care of. Might not be back tonight.”
Emma set the bowl on the table, then sat down beside her.
“Emily, I need to ask you something,” she said, lowering her voice.
Emily swallowed her mouthful of pudding. “Go ahead.”
Emma leaned in closer, voice barely above a whisper. “What’s really going on with you and Tristan lately?”
Emily answered breezily, “Nothing’s going on. Same as always.”
Emma clicked her tongue in disbelief. “You know exactly what I’m asking. Quit dodging and tell me the truth.”
Emily knew full well what her mother meant. For years now, Emma had been dropping hints and outright trying to push her and Tristan together-so much so that even Xavier, who was usually the last to notice anything, had picked up on it. Emma’s matchmaking was hardly subtle, and sometimes it honestly made Emily a little embarrassed.
Truth be told, she didn’t feel anything for Tristan. To her, he was no different than Elizabeth or Xavier-just another friend.
She answered, her tone neutral, “Let’s not talk about this. It’s never going to happen.”
Emma was scandalized. “What do you mean, ‘never’? Tristan’s been nothing but good to you all these years—never asked for a salary, a bonus, or even a share of the company. He helped you start your business for nothing! Where are you going to find a man like that?”
Emily could only sigh in exasperation.
Emma clapped her hands for emphasis. “Let me ask you when I told you to pay him, to give him a bonus, did you ever do it?”
Emily frowned. “Mom, I told you, he refused.”
“And why do you think he refused? Because he likes you, that’s why!”