Chapter 52

She looked like she wanted to explain something, but before she could even open her mouth, Julian gave her cheek a playful pinch and glanced toward the window. "Didn't you say you were heading home? If you drag it out any longer, it'll be too late." It was obvious he had no intention of questioning her any further. Anna's eyes curved into slits with joy as she quickly packed up her stuff with rare efficiency. But something felt off the moment she got downstairs. Julian was already dressed in a crisp suit, casually pacing near the door, clearly waiting for someone. "You heading out too?" she asked, pretending to play dumb, trying to convince herself this was all just coincidence. But his next sentence crushed her last bit of wishful thinking. "You said you're going home, right? I'll give you a ride." "..." "Really, you don't need to bother. I'm good, it's pretty easy to catch a ride from here," Anna mumbled awkwardly, scrambling for an excuse. There was no way she could take Julian to h