by Ellie Hall
The photographers volleyed questions, but he ignored them, having already given them exactly what they wanted—new gossip for the rumor mill. He knew they'd splash the photo all over the online tabloids. He hurried to help Emma into the car.
He slammed the door. "Sorry about that." He turned back to the questions on his phone, but before he could ask another, her phone chimed.
She answered it. "Hi, Mom."
A tinny voice shot out from the other end.
Emma turned away from him in the seat.
Will tried not to listen but couldn't help overhearing. Her mother blasted her for leaving the US. "What about trying to fix things with Everett? You can't just let a man like him go."
Will read another article about first dates, still trying to ignore the mostly one-sided conversation happening between Emma and her mother.
The tinny voice continued, blaming Emma for her problems, something about a wedding, and then said, "It's your fault he strayed."
Emma hung up.
Will opened his mouth to say something comforting but Emma said, "That's why I don't want you to ask personal questions." Tears welled in her eyes as they got back on the plane. She was quiet the entire flight back to London. But all he wanted was to hear the sound of her voice.
Chapter 11
Emma
Emma couldn't face Will the next morning. She'd hardly slept as the conversation with her mother played repeatedly in her mind. During the long hours, she thought about why she didn't want him to know her business: it came down to him, a strong man, knowing she was weak and that meant she could be broken again.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There were errands to run for Will but she also needed to clear her head and get some fresh air.
The night before he'd taken her on a date to Paris. Paris! Ordinarily, wonder, gratitude, and awe would've filled her mind and her heart—it was so romantic. But the circumstances weighed heavily on her because she couldn't shake her own feelings of failure, her fears, and comparing the situation to Everett's betrayal.
As shops opened their doors for the day, she wondered what she'd be doing if she were still back in New York. She called her sister, missing her terribly, and left a message when she didn't answer.
Emma crossed the street into a park. The trees were bare and the clouds heavy with rain or snow. She realized she hadn't seen the sun in all the days she'd been in London. It was dreary and bleak just like she felt.
Lost in thought she nearly tripped when a large golden retriever crossed in front of her.
She bent over, giving him a pat on the head.
"Sorry about that," a cheerful voice called. "He's friendly."
Emma smiled at a woman in a red coat. She held the leashes of seven dogs. "Toby likes everyone he encounters to give his head a good scratch," she said. "But he's fourteen so I say he's earned it."
"He's a lucky boy," Emma said as the rest of the dogs circled her.
"I'm Charlotte." She spoke with a British accent and her eyes were bright, blue, and kind.
Emma introduced herself.
"I can't have pets in my flat so I walk dogs and pet sit. It's my side job. My daughter loves them so that's another perk."
"I can't have dogs in my apartment either. Well, back in New York."
"Are you on vacation or here for business?"
"It's an extended arrangement. Complicated." Emma waved the question off. "One of my best friends volunteers at a dog rescue. On Christmas Eve she—"
"Wait, it's not the woman from Angel Ears who had L Ryder sing to raise money?"
"Yeah, that's her. Clara Covington."
"What a heartwarming story. My daughter and I saw it online. She sent them the Christmas money she received from her granny."
"So sweet. I'll make sure to tell Clara next time we talk."
"That would be lovely."
One of the dogs barked at a pigeon.
"I best be going. If you'd like to meet for tea—" Charlotte passed Emma her card. Paws to Play Animal Care.
She waved as they continued on their walk. Still standing under the bare trees, Emma reflected on the suddenness of her new position, the agreement, adapting to life in a foreign city, the arguments with Will, and the call from her mother—blaming her for everything that went wrong. She paid for it then, she paid for it now, and she paid for it with credit card debt. But it all led her to the present moment, and the little bit of kindness from the woman with the dogs drew a contented sigh from Emma's chest. She relaxed for the first time in months and resolved to clear the air with Will.
On her way to HQ, a man wearing black crossed the street at the same time as her and otherwise trailed a few paces behind. She felt unsettled and worried it was a paparazzo. A window display caught her eye and reflected his image reflected before he continued past. He wore a black hat and an eyebrow ring glinted as he cut his eyes away from her.
Will had meetings all day so Emma kept busy with tasks at the office. She waited to catch him at the end of the day but Sylvia informed her he wouldn't be returning to HQ. Back at the apartment, she practiced her apology in the mirror, mustering up the courage to tell him she was sorry for ruining dinner but things were complicated in her life—more so now that he'd entered the picture. He didn't return home. It was well after midnight when she finally gave up and went to bed.
Despite the cushioned mattress, the soft sheets, and warm blanket, she couldn't get comfortable. She tossed and turned as the clock on the night table tormented her, ticking slowly, hour after hour. Meanwhile, scenes from the days with Will played in her mind. She felt bad about the way she'd acted and how things weren't working out. She needed the money, but maybe a friend too. They could try that. Right?
She decided to write him a note and leave it for him to read in the morning. He had stationary in his home office so she padded out of her room. A light was on in the living room, leading her forward so she didn't stub her toe or knock into a rare antique or costly piece of furniture.
Under the lamp, Will sat in a chair with his head resting in one hand, reading.
She paused, feeling foolish in her long-sleeved sleep shirt and pink fuzzy slippers her sister had given her for Christmas one year.
"Oh, hi," he said, glancing up from the book before she could dash back down the hallway.
"Couldn't sleep. Um—"
He wore reading glasses. She gripped her hands, not sure where to look. Granted, she was the one in her pajamas, but Will wearing reading glasses was undeniably cute and distracting.
He smirked as though sensing as much. "Long day?"
She shrugged. "What are you reading?"
He ran his hand down the spine. "Pride and Prejudice."
"Really?"
"Really." His voice was low and floated to her like fog.
She sat down on the sofa opposite him and pressed her hands together. "I, um, want to thank you and to apologize."
He closed the book. "I'm intrigued."
"Thank you for trying to make our date work. Under ordinary circumstances it would have been wonderful, any girl's dream to get dressed up and meet you for dinner. And go to Paris."
"But you're not an ordinary girl."
"Yes and no. I just didn't think our plan through. It's hard to fake it when—" She stopped herself from saying more. This was a business transaction after all. Emma didn't need complications and distractions. She had to pay off debt and move on. "You were the perfect gentleman, and I apologize for ruining it."
"Well, thank you, but you didn't ruin anything."
"Not according to my mother."
"About that—"
Emma held up her hands. "I don't want to talk about it." Shame blistered her cheeks.
"If you change your mind, I can be a good listener."
"Thank you."
"I'd also like to make an apology."
"If it's about Jared—" she started.
"That and for taking you to the club and for general
ly being a prat."
"A what?"
"A jerk. An idiot." He bit his lip.
"Apology accepted."
They were both quiet for a moment.
Emma peeked up at him from under her bangs. "Now what?"
Will met her gaze. Something rippled between them, sending a fissure in the walls they'd both erected.
He got to his feet and crossed the room in a few short strides. He took her hand in his, sending tingles across her skin, and lifted her to her feet. They were toe to toe and she looked up, meeting his eyes once more. He took off his glasses, leaned in, and then enveloped her in his arms.
He held her and hugged her and warmed her. She melted into him, feeling the muscles he'd worked so hard to achieve. He tightened his hold, pulling her closer. He smelled clean like soap and spicy like aftershave. Her head rested against his chest and his heart thudded. She closed her eyes for one delightful moment.
Unlike the hug in front of the restaurant, this one wasn't for the cameras. Perhaps, this was the first thing they'd shared that was real. She wanted to stay there forever.
Will sighed as if he too needed a hug. "That was to make up for the lousy hug in front of the cameras last night. After that conversation with your mother, you seemed like you really needed one."
Emma nodded, glad to see this deeper, more meaningful side of Will.
"I was busy at the office all day yesterday and we never did talk about the terms of our agreement."
"What are the parameters of my roles? Who? What? When? Where? Assistant? Fake girlfriend?"
"Friend? Maybe we can start there."
She nodded. That, she could probably deal with.
The next morning, Will shuffled into the kitchen, looking ruffled and kinda cute in a sleepy way. The birds chirped outside as the new day dawned. Or almost afternoon since he'd slept in.
"What's on your agenda for the day?" she asked.
"More meetings. Tiresome really. It's funny, I have no trouble snoozing while a marketer presents their plan for our next product launch but put me in bed and I'm wide awake."
"I know the feeling—the not sleeping part."
"You have insomnia too?"
Emma nodded. "But some of my best ideas come to me in the wee hours. Since we're trying to rebuild your image into something wholesome, how about I bring you out tonight."
"Were you thinking about me while lying in bed?" His voice was low, teasing.
Her cheeks heated at the suggestion.
Will grinned. "Are you asking me on a date, Emmaline?"
"No, I'm taking myself on a date and fulfilling the terms of the agreement with something sweeter, cuter, and more casual than the other night."
"It wasn't terrible was it?" He gripped his chest as though insulted.
"I liked my dress even though it was itchy and I loved Paris, even though our time there was brief."
"You looked beautiful."
The compliment floated between them as though waiting for Emma to reach out and grab it. She didn't say anything but liked the idea that he thought she'd looked beautiful. Everett had never said as much. Then again she hadn't worn a six-thousand dollar dress in his presence.
"What should I wear? Speaking of dressing. I have a meeting at the office in a bit…a big, important meeting. I should get ready and so should you. I could use someone to poke me every ten minutes to make sure I keep my eyes open." Will chuckled but the circles under his eyes were dark, and she didn't get the sense he was kidding.
They both got ready and met in the entry.
"The car should be here shortly, Sir," Bartholomew said.
Will turned to Emma. "We have time. Do you want to walk? It helps me to get in the zone."
They set out into the brisk morning. The air woke Emma up. She forgot her mittens again so she rubbed her hands together to keep warm. Will dropped his hand between them and nudged his head. "Go on. I'm like a heater. A human furnace."
She took his hand and like his touch before, it warmed her through, thawing parts of her she hadn't realized were frozen. Her hand fit there inside his, like a mitten she didn't want to take off. One she didn't think she'd ever forget. But she wasn't sure people who were just friends held hands like that. However, they were in a pretend relationship and as Will had said, he didn't follow rules.
When they passed the café on the corner, Will said, "Meet me in the conference room with one of each of the specialty drinks on the menu."
As she dropped his hand, his fingers brushed the length of hers, leaving her feeling effervescent.
While waiting in line and settling all the fizzy bubbles inside, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
"Emma? We met the other day in the park." It was the woman with the red coat but no leashes this time.
"Of course, Charlotte. With the—"
"With the dogs. That's me. Do you have time to stay for tea?"
"I wish. I'm on a beverage run. I'd say coffee but my boss wants me to get one of every drink."
Charlotte tilted her head.
"Odd, I know. The whole situation is strange, but—" She interrupted her stream of thought. "I have a question that I hope isn't odd. Since I'm new to the city, I'm wondering if you could describe your ideal date."
"Why? Did you meet someone or are you playing matchmaker?"
"No, that would be my sister, Penny." While they waited in line, Emma told her about the twelve dates of Christmas.
"My brother loves to tease me too." Charlotte shrugged. "But let's see. Tell me a little more about the date."
"If I were on Facebook I'd say my current status is complicated. I'm taking him on the date I would've liked for him to have taken me on. Does that make sense? Don't get me wrong I enjoyed our first date if you could call it that, but it was…" She shrugged. "I don't know. Over the top? Scripted? Forced?" Probably because it was.
They both placed their orders and because Emma had to wait a while for them to prepare and box up the beverages, Charlotte outlined what sounded like a magical evening.
As they parted she said, "You just have to promise to let me know how it goes."
"I promise," Emma said as the barista called her name for the order.
With the large box holding the drinks, Emma shouldered her way through the doors at Apex HQ.
Sylvia watched as she struggled. "More cookies?"
Emma rolled her eyes and waited for the elevator.
When she returned to the meeting room, a man with thinning hair gestured her over.
She stood still, waiting for Will to finish speaking so he could give her instructions.
The guy interrupted Will. "I'm thirsty and the protein shakes are disgusting. Tell your help to stop standing there like a useless idiot and distribute the coffee already," he said.
Will jolted and got to his feet. "Excuse me. What did you say?" A shadow crossed his features like storm clouds rolling in on an otherwise sunny afternoon.
Chapter 12
Will
Sylvia walked into the conference room pushing a drinks cart.
"She can get you something to drink if you're thirsty," Will said, gesturing to Sylvia. "Then, Mr. Snyder, you may see yourself out." It wasn't the first time someone had insulted the protein drinks but he wouldn't tolerate anyone being rude to Emma or his staff.
"What?" Snyder stammered.
"Your lack of tact and respect suggests Apex is not the best match for your services. Good day." He turned back to those gathered. "My assistant, Emma, brought us specialty beverages from our local coffee shop to demonstrate the direction I'd like to take this segment of the company." He sprinkled the protein powder into the specialty drinks, explaining how consumers want to optimize their lives. "Double duty. They get protein and nutrition while drinking their—" Will shook the cup. "What's this?" He took a sip. "Caramel something or other."
Emma tried one and said, "Not disgusting at all. You could also market to people who typically don't like protein powder but are healt
h-minded. Combined with the pumpkin spice flavor it's delicious and nutritious."
By lunchtime, they'd settled on a strategy to introduce the plan to coffee shops as well as potentially opening some of their own, starting in the gyms to go along with the smoothie bars.
"I'm buzzing from all that sugar," Will said when he and Emma returned to his office. And the thrill of having Emma help make his latest move for his company.
"You only had a sip. What'll happen when you eat a cookie?"
"When? Not if?"
Emma smiled. "Thanks for having my back too."
"When a man flaunts what little power he has by cutting other people down it actually demonstrates insecurity and weakness of mind."
Emma stood taller. "Wow, look at you, Mr. Wheaton. Going deep."
"I'm not only good for my looks alone." However, he had Sydney to thank for any and all wisdom he'd acquired.
Later that afternoon, Will finalized a few things and prepared to leave for the day. Emma sat in the chair opposite him, focused on the computer screen. She was exceptional at interpreting data, catching errors, and had a keen eye for opportunities.
She glanced up. "Can I help you?"
"Depends. I wasn't joking before about being more than my good looks. I'm going on a date tonight but I'm worried she only likes me for my body."
Emma choked on what almost sounded like laughter. "Excuse me?"
"It happens a lot. Women want to date me for superficial reasons: money, fame, and my appearance."
"You seem very confident. I'm sure you can spot the keepers from the duds."
Will smirked. "I'd like her to be a keeper."
"Is that so?" She sat back in her chair, apparently interested.
He nodded. "She's pretty, sweet, and funny even though she doesn't realize it."
Emma's eyes widened. "What's her name?"
"I know her name, but that's the thing. She won't tell me anything else about herself."
