When Natalie saw me, she put on an innocent, harmless smile.
"Claire, I happened to be planning to eat here and ran into Ethan. Since we all know each other anyway, you don't mind if I join you, right?"
I had originally intended to answer her, but my gaze met Julian's.
There was a faint hint of appraisal in his eyes.
When I did not respond, Natalie tugged at Ethan's sleeve with an aggrieved expression.
"Ethan, I don't think Claire welcomes me. Maybe I should just eat by myself."
Ethan comforted her gently. "It's fine. Sit down and eat with us."
He pulled out the chair beside him for Natalie.
He seemed about to pull out the chair on his right for me as well, but I walked straight to the seat opposite him.
"Exactly. Why would I mind? I'm not the one who organized this dinner gatheri
