by Ellie Hall
"We should head into the office." He flashed his phone at Emma. "Either she wants to torment me or there's a problem."
"You mean torment me?"
"I'm sorry about that."
Emma shrugged. "I'm used to it."
"Being walked on?"
"No, ignoring people with little minds."
Will's brow furrowed. "You surprise me, Emma. You're so—"
"Weird?"
"No, I was going to say different."
"Same thing."
"No, weird is your hair when you take off your hat. Different is rare."
She pulled her hat on her head as they set out. "Different, weird, unusual, rare..."
"Rare like treasure."
Emma pressed her lips together as they loaded into the SUV, forcing back a smile.
Will pulled out the picture strip from the photo booth.
"I was wondering where that went."
"I'll make you a copy."
"No fair. I want it." She reached for it but he held it out of her grasp.
"Do you? So you can lay in bed looking at it and dreaming about me."
Emma blushed then she narrowed her eyes playfully. "Who said I dream about you?"
"Just a guess."
Emma's cheeks tinted darker and this time the corners of her lips turned up, ever so slightly.
Benson stopped the SUV in front of Apex HQ.
Will said, "Actually, Benson. I have to make a quick visit." Sydney's message played in his mind on repeat. "Emma, I'll meet you in the office within the hour." Then again, if by some chance Sydney was awake and lucid, he knew he wouldn't leave the old man's side. He prayed Sydney had another lucid moment so he could answer Will's questions. Was she the girl for him? Despite the odds? The obstacles? The unlikelihood?
Benson hit traffic so Will went into work mode, eager to catch up on emails. Jared interrupted with a call.
"We need a better kiss. More public. The clock is ticking. We need it soon," were the first words out of his agent's mouth. "The one in the hot chocolate shop was too blurry." He went on to detail his plans for their big moment.
"I regret letting you talk me into this."
"Why? Is she intolerable?" Jared said in his nasal voice.
"Something like that." At first, they'd had friction but now being with her was intolerable because he knew it would soon end; it's what she wanted. It was what had to happen even though it's not what he wanted. "I need you to alter the contract to include phone coverage, meals out, and—" He racked his brain trying to come up with anything she'd try to keep him from paying. She was much like his sister, refusing handouts. In fact, he should introduce them. They'd probably make fast friends.
"How about we include some stipulations. Like if she cheats on you, she'll owe you the exact dollar amount she specified."
Will shook his head even though Jared couldn't see him. "No, that's ridiculous. She wouldn't."
Jared clicked his tongue. "Don’t be so sure. Listen, we have a few opportunities coming up. Make sure you look your best on New Year's Eve."
"Yeah, whatever. Gotta go," Will said, eager to hang up. He'd forgotten all about the annual New Year's Eve bash.
There were times when he doubted Jared's integrity and judgment. He shook it off as Benson let him off at the hospice, focusing on more important matters.
A nurse showed him to Sydney's room. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wheaton. There's been no change. He hasn't woken in months."
Will patted the pocket that held his phone. "He—"
Had he imagined it? Were the semi-sleepless nights catching up with him? Making him crazy?
"As always, you're welcome to sit with him. Your sister was by earlier."
Will nodded, not sure he could speak without his voice shaking. When the nurse left the room, he pulled out his phone. As he watched Sydney lying there, still and silent, he replayed the message. It was his voice, aged, gravelly, but his. He'd referred to Emma. Had he heard Will talking about her? Sydney had given Will so much. Was this his last gift?
He stayed there until he had mere minutes to get to the office in order to keep his word to Emma. He let his doubts and fears chase him, making his strides long and fierce as he ran.
When he reached the glass doors of the building, sweat beaded along his forehead.
Emma approached from the treadmills, her face flushed, and her skin glossed with sweat.
Were they both running away from their problems or were they running toward each other? He wanted to sweep her into his arms and promise it was all going to work out and be okay, better than okay, but he wasn't sure if that was true.
"Where've you been?" It wasn't Emma who asked, but Sylvia. She held out a paper scrawled with a number. "They said it was urgent. Has to do with New Year's."
Will and Emma went up to the office. The sun hung low in the sky, near the horizon. The days were short this time of year and Will longed for light. Light to shine on his problems, to provide him with direction, answers. He scrubbed his hands down his face.
"You okay?" Emma asked.
He turned, wanting nothing more than to feel her embrace. To feel the soft touch of her skin. For the tension to leave him.
He clicked on his phone. "We'll find out in a moment." Ten minutes later, he hung up. "It looks like I'm out a party planner."
"Do you keep one on staff? I'm sure between Basil, Benson, and Bartholomew they could whip up a fiesta for you." She shook her hips and snapped her fingers.
"You're in a good mood."
She seemed relaxed, more at ease than usual. "I had a good run. But you seem worried."
"I need a party planner on short notice." And Sydney to wake up and things between the two of them to mean something.
"You seemed preoccupied when you got here so whatever was bothering you came before that piece of news."
Will nodded. He couldn't lie or hide the truth. He felt sullen, sad, or perhaps it was the lack of light. He turned to Emma. She glowed in her Apex tank with glistening skin and bright eyes.
"I'm a billionaire, and I can't afford the thing I want most." Will paced in front of the large windows.
"A party?" she asked. "I can plan it if you want."
Will parted his lips but she went on. "Seriously. I'm your assistant. It's my job to bail you out of tough spots. Let me earn my wages. Or you can hire a new party planner." When he didn't immediately reply, she added, "Like you said, you're a billionaire. You can afford it."
But I can't afford to lose you. The words were on the tip of his tongue but he wasn't brave enough to say them. Instead, he said, "The bulk of the work is done: guest list, catering, venue. You're just doing the last minute details like decorating, swag bags, music. Maybe we could even have a photo booth."
"About that." She swiped for his pocket.
"Hands to yourself, Emmaline," he said, joking.
"I want that photo. It was my date." She lunged for him.
He caught her arms and pulled her closer. "I figured this could be a memento in addition to my stained pants."
"You can replace the pants."
"I suppose so but I just like looking at your smile." At that, he leaned in and then started tickling her. He liked how it felt to connect, to feel her beneath him even if she was wiggling and laughing hysterically. Then he felt her hands on him, small but warm, reaching for his side, for the crook of his neck, and making him erupt into laughter.
He leaned on the desk, both of them struggling to avoid the other's fingers, but at the same time, he wanted her touch. Their legs tangled and he was deeply aware of her knee, her calf, her ankle. He admired her smooth curves. She filled him with a desire he could only hope for her to satisfy. He let him tickle her until he couldn't breathe he was laughing so hard.
Panting he said, "Okay, I give in. You can have the photos." He passed the strip to her.
"Thank you. So, can I help with the party?"
"It's a big deal."
"You're a big deal, and I se
em to be handling you just fine."
He stopped short. "Emmaline, did you just flirt with me?"
She smirked. "What's the party for?"
"It's the New Year's bash. Premier party in the city."
"But that's tomorrow."
He nodded then turned away because he almost couldn't say the next part aloud. "It's where Jared wants us to stage another kiss."
Her face fell in the reflection of the glass.
"He suggested I propose to you then we can break it off later. His exact words were,' Then you'll be a heartbroken puppy, which the media will eat up.' It's over the top and I think—"
"Sure. Whatever. Just get me a list of what you need me to do. I'll do it."
Before he could stop her and explain, she fled from the room.
Chapter 17
Emma
They'd had a moment that was for sure. They'd had several in the last few days. She'd felt his eyes on her, staring, gazing, admiring. No, that was absurd. However, there was no denying his touch caused heat to rush through her body. Will always smelled good, clean, even when sweaty.
As she thundered toward the elevator her cheeks were on fire because she couldn't ignore the way he made her feel.
She also couldn't deny that he was a prat. It sounded mean when it came out of his mouth. A jerk, an idiot. Her stupid feelings and her stupid heart.
He called her name down the hall as the elevator closed. Her name on his lips had an altogether different tone. It was one of longing, desire, and warmth. Yet the truth was Will was selfish and was using her for his career. She couldn't lose sight of that.
The elevator dinged as it descended past each floor as though reminding her that she too agreed to the plan. He didn't force her into being his fake girlfriend. She could've said no and he would've found someone else. The truth was part of her wanted the fantasy: a guy to open the door for her, to spoil her, to kiss.
She caught the reflection of her frown in the shiny panel of the elevator. Her hair frizzed from her run and her cheeks were pink.
If only life were as simple as the coding on a computer. The thought of Everett and everything she'd lost thrust her into a spiral of too many emotions to name. Men, money, and her career were three big failures. Maybe she could find a private island somewhere, live off coconuts and sunshine. It wouldn't matter if her hair were a mess. The only other inhabitants could be tropical birds and rare salamanders.
She huffed. Will had said she was rare.
Yeah, she was rare all right. Raw. Angry. She felt like screaming.
She passed the front desk and her glower flashed like a warning to Sylvia not to dare mess with her. Her breath came heavy as she stepped onto the sidewalk.
The sun hovered by the tops of the buildings. She needed fuel to make arrangements for the bash on short notice. She'd do it, she'd kiss him and go along with the charade, and then she was done. She'd get her money, pay off her debt, and maybe she really would go somewhere warm and sunny to start over.
Wrapped up in her thoughts, a car nearly ran into Emma as she crossed the street. The driver issued an angry honk. Once safe on the sidewalk, she caught her breath as she pressed her hand against her chest.
After buying a tea at the corner shop, she settled at a vacant table and reviewed the list for the party. She spotted a business card in her bag and made a call.
Several minutes later, Charlotte appeared without a hair out of place. She tilted her head from side to side when she sat down at the table with Emma. "Yeah, you look desperate."
Emma smoothed her hair, remembering the way her hat made it stand on end. Will's smirk when it had first happened, and every time since, flashed in her mind.
"It's a guy, isn't it?" Charlotte asked.
"Well…" Emma started.
"Let's get it out of the way and then we can discuss whatever else is going on."
"You don't read the tabloids do you?" Emma asked. "The ones at the market or online?"
"I do not waste my time on that rubbish. You couldn't get me near them with a cattle prod. I wouldn't open one up if you paid me a million dollars."
"Not even for ten million dollars?"
Charlotte shook her head. "I don't take handouts."
"I wish I could say the same." Wasn't that exactly what she'd done? Taken Jared and Will's offer in exchange for the kiss and the use of her sweet and wholesome persona?
"Earth to Emma. About the guy." Charlotte waved her hand in front of Emma's face to get her attention.
She sighed. "The guy. We don't really get along but he's cute. More than cute. Like model hot."
Charlotte raised her eyebrows. "What about his personality?"
"We're not compatible. We have different values and lifestyles." Emma went on to give Charlotte a sketch of the situation without using any defining details.
"If I didn’t know better I'd say you're in love. So the problem is—?"
Emma shrunk in her chair, desperate to avoid the possibility.
Charlotte sat up taller as though she just realized something crucial. "You were hurt in the past."
Emma nodded.
"I see. The only solution is to make yourself irresistible so he can't help himself."
"Pardon? I'd like to cut things off and pretend this never happened…go on my merry way."
"It'll haunt you for the rest of your life."
"Dark, Charlotte."
She shrugged. "Being honest. You'll regret not pursuing it."
Emma considered this. She'd had a few regrets in her life and Charlotte was right, they did haunt her. "But what were you saying about making myself irresistible?"
"If you can't pluck up the courage to open up to the relationship, make him come to you."
"That's the problem. He just sees this as a work arrangement. I don't think he feels the same way. He was hurt too. It's all just so complicated."
"A wise man once told me, 'We don't always choose who we love but we do decide whether we make it easy or difficult.' Sounds to me like you guys have muddied the waters."
"But how do I simplify it?"
"Follow your heart."
"My heart gets lost easily."
"It got lost once, Emma. Hearts are smart. They don't make that mistake twice."
Emma smiled. "In that case, I need a dress." She could've contacted Jared's assistant, but wanted to avoid anything to do with Will's agent.
"I can definitely help you with that."
Charlotte led Emma several blocks to the Tube where they took the train to the Knightsbridge station. Harrod's, the famous shopping emporium, shone ahead of Emma like a promise.
They passed racks and racks of sequined, stitched, and glittering gowns. She tried not to look at the price tags attached, but Will's company card was in her pocket and she knew she had to look the part if their kiss was to be captured for his fans to see.
A salesclerk approached them. "Can I help you?"
"My friend is looking for a gown."
Emma nodded.
"The occasion?" the sales clerk asked.
"New Year's Eve."
"My, that's tomorrow. Budget?"
"None." Emma forced the word out of her mouth.
"Style?"
Emma shrugged.
"In that case, we have some work ahead of us."
The pair followed the salesclerk into a fitting room. Emma waited until she returned with gowns in multiples colors, textures, and styles. They were all exquisite and expensive.
She tried on one with ruffles, another that was sleek and fitted, and one with a complicated set of straps. Each time, Charlotte shook her head.
After several more failures, she smoothed her hands down a gorgeous dress with silver chiffon and sparkly embellishments. She stepped out of the changing room and spun in a circle, feeling like she was having a Cinderella moment.
"That's the one," Charlotte declared.
It was. Emma had never felt so pretty.
Charlotte checked her watc
h. "Oh, I have to take the dogs on their evening stroll. Care to join me to pick up my daughter from her friend's house on the way?"
"I'd like to but I should get started on this list. This is only one of the things I need to check off. Well, it's not on the list, but—"
"In that case, be sure to dazzle him tomorrow."
When she changed back into her workout gear, she revisited the conversation with Will. She'd dazzle all right. She'd earn that money and show him what he was missing even though, as he'd said, their kiss was to be staged. She wouldn't even let herself think about Jared's idea of a proposal and the comment about Will being a sad puppy dog. Then as though a lightbulb went on in her head, she had an idea. A brilliant one.
After saying goodbye to Charlotte, Emma carefully crossed the street back to HQ. She needed to be strategic given she was short on time. As she passed Sylvia, seated at the desk, she flashed a smile, feeling fortified by her conversation with Charlotte and her idea. As the elevator rose to the top floor, she wasn't altogether sure how she'd pull everything off on short notice but knew determination would carry her far.
A shaft of light shone from Will's office door. She drew a deep breath. The plan was simple. Ignore him. Stay focused. Laser focused.
She smoothed her hair and stepped through the doorway. He was behind the desk, scrolling through something on his giant monitor and clicking a pen under his thumb. He glanced up, lifting his eyebrows.
Without a word, she sat in her chair and got to work, researching, sending emails, stating her case on behalf of the renowned William Wheaton and his New Year's bash.
Emma only looked up from her desk when she felt Will's gaze on her. She tried to ignore it but it seared her skin. She slouched and positioned her laptop screen so she couldn't see him.
After receiving two yes's from vendors offering their services, and several no's, Emma sent a document to the printer that she needed to fill out by hand.
At the same time she crossed the room, Will strode to the printer. They stood there, both waiting for the machine to spit out their papers. Will picked the first one up and said, "I think that's for you."
She plucked it from him without touching his hand.
He retrieved the next one while they both continued to wait.
