She emphasized the word "other," smiling sweetly at Andrew. "Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Lane?"

Elizabeth mentally patted herself on the back. Tristan Davis owed her big time for running interference and protecting him from a world of hurt.

She watched Andrew, completely confident.

He met her gaze and gave a cryptic smile. "I don't mind."

At his words, Elizabeth's brain short-circuited. He... he didn't mind what?

Before she could ask, Andrew sat down on Emily's right, his body partially blocking her from Elizabeth's view.

As the meaning of his words slowly sank in, Elizabeth's grip on Emily's arm tightened.

Alarm bells screamed in her head. *Tristan Davis, get back here now! Andrew Lane is bad news, and he's coming in hot!*

Elizabeth's grip was painful, and Emily winced, prying her friend's fingers loose. "Please grab your own arm."

Elizabeth shot a quick glance toward Andrew and whispered urgently, "Emily, you have to stay strong!"

Emily gave a cool, detached, "Okay."

Leaning closer to Emily's ear, Elizabeth hissed, "I'm serious. Andrew... he's... he's unbelievable."

He didn't mind that Emily had a boyfriend! He didn't mind! He didn't mind being... the other man. The absolute nerve!

Emily gently pushed her face away. "Stop overthinking. He may not mind, but I do."

Elizabeth's heart was still pounding with anxiety and tension. She silently prayed for time to speed up, so they could finally go their separate ways—Andrew to Riven, and she and Emily to the capital.

About fifteen minutes later, the boarding announcement came over the speakers.

Elizabeth shot up and grabbed her and Emily's suitcases. "Mr. Lane, it's time to board. Emily and I will get going now."

Andrew watched her clutch the luggage protectively and nodded. “I see.”

Elizabeth flashed him a smile, then, pulling both suitcases with one hand and Emily's wrist with the other, she steered them around Andrew and headed for the gate.

Suddenly, the sound of another suitcase rolling across the tiled floor echoed behind them.

Elizabeth froze and turned around. Andrew was right there, pulling his own suitcase and following them.

She paused. "Mr. Lane, I just checked. The flight to Riven isn't boarding yet."

"Who said I was going to Riven?" Andrew replied calmly.

He added, "I'm going to the capital too."

Elizabeth stared, dumbfounded.

Andrew walked past her and took the suitcases from her hand. "Let's go."

Watching his steady back, Elizabeth felt a figurative toothache flare up. This wasn't just "coming in hot"; this was a full-blown invasion.

Emily, too, watched Andrew's retreating figure and murmured, "Ignore him. Let's go."

Their suitcases were small enough for carry-on, so after getting their boarding passes and clearing security, they headed straight to the plane. They were all in business class, where there was only one other passenger, a middle-aged man.

Once on board, Emily asked a flight attendant for some hot water, drank it, and immediately fell asleep.

Three and a half hours later, the plane landed in the capital. As they exited the airport, Andrew was once again pushing all three of their suitcases.