Chapter 22

"Isn't this Anna?" Nicole drawled, a sly smile playing on her lips. Her gaze then flickered to Lucian, and she gasped dramatically, pressing her fingers to her lips as if in shock. "Dr. Grey... You're here with Anna?" She turned to me with feigned astonishment. "You two are together!" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Her act was painfully obvious, only fueling my irritation. Still, I kept my composure. "Yes, we are," Lucian affirmed, lacing his fingers through mine. His reassuring touch melted some of my tension, and I responded with a soft smile. "Oh, what a surprise," Nicole said, though her voice tightened slightly despite her attempt to keep a pleasant expression. "Since we're all here, why don't we have dinner together? It'll be fun." "I don't think that's a good idea," I replied without hesitation. "We wouldn't want to intrude on your evening." Nicole let out a light chuckle. "Oh, come on, Anna. We're not strangers. How could you possibly disturb us? We'd love to have you joi