He Brought His Mistress, I Brought My Lawyers Chapter 26

He Brought His Mistress, I Brought My Lawyers Chapter 26

Rather than an explanation, Julian’s words sounded like a confession.

Warmth rose in Avery’s cheeks. A little flustered, she looked away, her heart skipping a beat. Meeting those deep eyes required a courage she didn’t yet have.

Julian straightened, finding her shy expression endearing. His eyes curved in an indulgent smile.

“I’m the designer. I decide. Anything Avery likes, I’ll offer with both hands.”

There was none of Ethan’s presumptuous possessiveness in his tone. Only the pure joy of giving.

…*including myself.*

The last two words rolled across Julian’s tongue, but he didn’t say them. He knew that for someone like Avery, trust and affection needed time to grow.

Fortunately, he had plenty of time.

The next day, Avery came to the art center for the final rehearsal.

The venue was brightly lit, staff moving through the hall, testing lights and sound. Avery stood beside the stage, speech draft in hand, but for some reason, she felt a wave of unease. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, as if a pair of eyes were fixed on her from the dark.

“What’s wrong?” Julian noticed and handed her a bottle of water.

Avery pulled her cashmere cardigan tighter. She couldn’t explain the feeling of being watched, so she shook her head.

“Nothing. Maybe just a little nervous.”

But the moment she turned, a familiar figure flashed in the corner of her vision.

Avery turned sharply, but all she saw were empty seats.

She frowned.

That figure, that outline…

It had looked a lot like Ethan.

But how could he be here? He should be in a hospital in New York, paying the price for his ridiculous self-punishment. He favored Sloane so much; without Avery to disturb him, he should be busy cleaning up his own mess.

Avery shook her head, dismissing the chaotic thoughts. It had to be an illusion, a trick of the light. New York to Santa Fe was thousands of miles. He couldn’t have followed her this quickly.

Rehearsal began. Avery quickly entered work mode, and the strange episode faded from her mind.

After nearly three hours, rehearsal finally ended.

Avery changed back into her casual clothes and came out of the dressing room to find Julian holding a paper bag from a local coffee shop.

“You said you need this when you’re stressed.” He took an iced Americano from the bag and handed it to her. “I happened to pass by. I didn’t know what else you liked, so I bought a few of their best-sellers.”

That little habit, one she had nearly forgotten herself, had been remembered by Julian.

Avery accepted the cold coffee, the condensation on the cup calming her scattered thoughts. Looking at the other cups in the bag, she couldn’t help but laugh.

She took only her own cup and pushed the bag back to him.

“Share the rest with the staff. I can’t drink all of this.”

Julian was about to turn when Avery stopped him.

“Julian,” she said, looking at him with a closeness she didn’t realize she felt, “next time you don’t know what I like, you can just ask me.”

She was talking about coffee.

But Julian somehow thought of something more. Almost instinctively, he blurted out, “Then may I ask what kind of person you like?”