The Proposal

by Katie Ashley

  Aidan gave an agonized groan when her tongue brushed against his lips. He widened his mouth, accepting her tongue and teasing it with his. Almost instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck as his went around her waist. They moved frantically against each other.

  When he started to pull away, she gave a cry of protest. “Feel us, Emma. It’s right here, and all you have to do is accept it,” he murmured against her lips.

  Her eyes opened, and she gazed up at him. “Emma, I l—”

  The sound of the doorbell cut him off and snapped her out of his spell. “Oh God,” she moaned. Her hands dropped from his neck to push against his chest. “Let me go.” When he still held her tight, she brought her panicked gaze to his agonized one. “Please, Aidan.”

  His arms dropped limply from her as his shoulders drooped in defeat. “Fine. Go to him. I hope he can give you what you obviously don’t want from me. But don’t think for one minute that you’re not doing the same thing I did. You’re running away from happiness and trying to calm your fears with someone else.”

  He then turned and left her alone in the bathroom. Feeling lightheaded, she gripped the countertop. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she fought to keep her composure. She heard Aidan open the front door and ask Pesh inside. She glanced in the mirror and grimaced. Her kiss with Aidan had smeared her lipstick. “Just a second!” she called.

  “Take your time,” Pesh replied good-naturedly. Emma was sure he was just being polite considering the fact Aidan was there.

  Once she finished adjusting her make-up, she grabbed her purse and hurried down the hallway. Pesh stood in the foyer with his back to her. His hands were thrust into his pockets nervously playing with his keys while Aidan was nowhere in sight. She cleared her throat. “I’m so sorry I was late.”

  He whirled around and then drank in her appearance. A bright smile curved on his face. “You look so absolutely gorgeous that any man would be a fool not to instantly forgive you.”

  “Thank you,” she replied. She couldn’t help noticing how handsome he looked in his dress coat that hid the suit and tie he was wearing underneath. A cream colored scarf was draped around his neck. “You look very nice yourself.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.” He glanced around the foyer. “Where’s your coat?”

  “Oh, just one second.” She started for the closet by the kitchen when Aidan appeared, clutching her formal dress coat in his hands. “You don’t want to forget this. It’s supposed to be down in the 40’s tonight. I don’t want you or Noah catching a chill,” he said.

  She started to reach for it, but he held it out to put it on her. Turning her back to him, she faced Pesh. His jaw clenched as she watched Aidan slide the coat up over her arms and onto her shoulders. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Aidan’s fingers lingered on her until she finally stepped away from him.

  “I guess we better go. We don’t want to miss our dinner reservations,” Emma said to Pesh.

  “Good seeing you again, Aidan. Tell your father I hope he’s taking good care of himself.”

  “Yeah, same to you. I’ll tell Pop you said hello.”

  Emma couldn’t believe that Aidan was practically being cordial. But when they reached the front door, he called, “Take care of my girl.”

  Pesh’s hand froze on the doorknob. “Um, I will,” he muttered before he jerked the door open for Emma. Once it closed behind him, Pesh exhaled noisily.

  “I’m so sorry for that,” Emma began as they started down the stairs.

  “It’s okay. I would probably have reacted the same way.”

  “Seriously?”

  Pesh nodded as he held open the door of his Jaguar. “If someone was trying to encroach on the woman I loved, I’d probably be less than civil.”

  “But you’re not encroaching. He knows we’re just friends.” Emma couldn’t help noticing that Pesh flinched at the word friend. “We are still friends, aren’t we, Pesh?”

  A smile forced its way to his lips. “Of course we are.”

  Uneasiness crept into the pit of her stomach. Her expression must’ve alerted Pesh to her feelings because he said, “Emma, if you don’t feel comfortable about tonight or leaving Aidan, we don’t have to do this. I would never, ever want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

  The sincerity in his voice made Emma shake her head. “No, I’m fine. Let’s go.” But the truth was she was far from fine. Her emotions buzzed and hummed like a swarm of locusts ready to overtake her at any moment.

  He nodded, and after she had eased down into the seat, he closed the door for her.

  Once he made his way around the car, he slid inside and cranked up the engine. He turned to her and smiled. “I’m glad you’ve consented to come with me tonight. My sister and brother-in-law will be joining us.”

  “Oh,” she murmured at the insinuation of a double date.

  “But Shevta is aware we’re not committed to one another, so you don’t have to worry about it being strange.”

  Yeah, I’m sure she thinks there’s a lot more between us than you’re letting on—just like Becky did! Emma thought, but she pinched her lips tight. Her fingers went to the hem of her coat, and she twisted it with nervousness.

  Pesh tried filling the uncomfortable silence with conversation about his sister and brother-in-law. Emma could tell he was very fond of Shevta, and she sounded like an amazing woman.

  “Where are we eating?”

  “An Indian restaurant close to the Fox.”

  Emma’s stomach churned at the prospect, but before she could try to put on a poker face, Pesh burst out laughing. “I’m only teasing you.”

  A nervous giggle escaped her lips. “Really?”

  He momentarily tore his eyes away from the road to give her a beaming smile. “I made reservations at The Livingston, so we would be right across the street and have plenty of time to eat and relax.”

  “Oh, I’ve always wanted to eat there. It’s in such a beautiful, old building with the Georgian Terrace Hotel.”

  “I’m glad I made a good choice.”

  Emma smiled. “I think one day when I’m not pregnant, I’ll get up the courage to try Indian food again.”

  “Do you really think so?” When she bobbed her head, Pesh said, “Now that is what I call courage.”

  “Actually, you don’t know the entire story and how true that statement is!”

  “Oh, what happened?”

  She winced before relating the story of throwing up on Aidan. Of course, she did manage to leave out a lot of details about what went on between them that night.

  Pesh’s expression turned serious. “I hate to hear you got so sick. I should have realized mixing all those spices wouldn’t be good for you—especially if you had such a sensitive palate.”

  “It’s okay. Things like that happen,” Emma said as they eased into the parking lot across from The Livingston.

  After turning off the car, Pesh turned to her. “So we’ll be on the lookout for the blandest food possible tonight to ensure you don’t have to make a run for the bathroom or throw up in the orchestra pit?”

  Emma laughed. “I’m not that sensitive.”

  “Phew, good to hear.” He then came around not only to open the car door for her, but he took her hand to help her up out of the car.

  She cocked her head at him. “You know, I’m not so enormous yet that I’m having mobility issues.”

  He winked. “I know. I just used it as a ploy to get to hold your hand.”

  Emma couldn’t help laughing at the impish grin that formed on his cheeks. “May I keep it to escort you into the restaurant?”

  “I suppose so.”

  “Didn’t want you to think I was getting too forward.”

  “I’ll make sure to let you know if that happens.”

  When the crosswalk sign turned, they hustled across the street and into the restaurant. Once they reached the hostess stand, Pesh dropped her hand. “Reservation for Nade
en,” he said.

  The hostess glanced down at her book. “Yes, two of your party is already here. Please follow me.”

  Pesh motioned for Emma to go first, and she fell in step behind the hostess. When they stopped in front of the table where an attractive Indian couple sat, Emma drew in a deep breath.

  “Shevta, Sanjay, this is my friend, Emma Harrison,” Pesh introduced.

  Emma thrust out her hand to Shevta. “Nice to meet you.”

  Shevta rewarded her with a broad smile as she pumped Emma’s hand. “The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Harrison. Please sit down.”

  Emma shook Sanjay’s hand before eyeing an empty seat. After helping her off with her coat, Pesh pulled out her chair and then eased her up to the table.

  Once they had given their drink orders, Shevta turned to Emma. “So I understand you’re a big fan of the opera?”

  “Oh yes. My mother used to bring me to the Fox when I was younger. I was only thirteen when I first saw Aida.”

  “Sanjay and I have had season tickets since we got married. With his crazy schedule, we haven’t been able to include Alpesh as much as he would like,” Shevta said.

  “I’m so very grateful you allowed me to tag along this evening.”

  With a sly smile, Shevta said, “Oh no, we’re thrilled to have you.”

  Emma shifted in her seat and tried focusing her attention on her menu and not the growing tension at the table about what she and Pesh were or weren’t.

  ***

  The rest of dinner went smoothly, and she actually enjoyed being out with Shevta and Sanjay. Of course, Pesh was his usual charming self, and she couldn’t help feeling a tiny fluttering in her chest each time she caught him looking at her or whenever he winked playfully.

  Once they finished their meal, they walked across the street under the flashing lights of the illuminated Fox Theater sign. When the usher led them to the third row in the orchestra, Emma turned back to Pesh with widened eyes. “These seats are amazing!”

  He smiled as he took her coat. “I’m glad you like them.”

  “Like them? I don’t think I’ve ever been this close. I’ll feel like I’m back on the stage. Well, not like I was ever on a stage like this.”

  “You were involved in the theater?” Pesh asked as they eased down into the plush velvet seats.

  “Oh yes.” Emma then spent the remaining time before the lights dimmed regaling Pesh about her musical roles.

  From the time the curtain rose, Emma sat mesmerized in her seat. The costumes, the score, the performances—they were breathtaking and so much better than she remembered. When the cast came out for their curtain calls, she clapped until her palms stung and turned red.

  As they started up the aisle, Emma felt Pesh’s hand on her lower back, guiding her from being knocked about in the crowd. Blustering cold air met them as they pushed through the lobby doors and under the awning.

  “It was very nice meeting you,” Sanjay said.

  “Same to you,” Emma replied, shaking his hand again.

  Shevta leaned over to whisper in Emma’s ear. “We hope to see you again soon. I haven’t seen Pesh so happy in a long time.”

  At the insinuation, Emma’s chest caved, and she found it hard to breathe. How could she explain to Shevta that she didn’t reciprocate Pesh’s feelings, and that no matter how hard she tried not to, she was only going to hurt him in the end? Or was she only lying to herself by ignoring the tiny flickering building within her whenever Pesh smiled at her or did something sweet or thoughtful? With Pesh, she would never have to worry about unfaithfulness or not being able to say how he felt. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and he was so old-fashioned, he would never think of cheating.

  Finally, she murmured, “Thank you.”

  As they waved good-bye to Sanjay and Shevta, Pesh linked his arm through hers. “So did you enjoy Aida again?”

  “Oh I adored it! It’s such a beautiful love story, even the sad parts.”

  “You had me worried with all the sniffling.”

  Emma grinned. “I couldn’t help it. It’s a mixture of me being a hormonal ball of mush as well as the fact I always cry in emotional parts of movies, books or the theater.”

  They were about to round the corner to the parking lot when Pesh stopped. “What’s wrong?” Emma asked.

  Pesh motioned to the horse drawn carriage at the curb. “How about a ride?”

  Emma widened her eyes at both the romantic sentiment and the prospect of getting into the carriage. “I would love to, but...”

  “You’re afraid you can’t get up there?”

  She furrowed her brows. “How did you…?”

  He laughed. “Lucky guess. But have no fear. I’m pretty sure we can manage it.” He took her hand and put it on the carriage side. “Now put your foot in the stirrup.” His hands went to her waist and tenderly hoisted her up. She pulled her other leg up and then pitched forward onto the seat. “Oomph,” she muttered, as she tried rearranging her dress.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Okay, we’re ready,” Pesh called to the driver.

  “Yes, Mr. Nadeen.” With a crack of the reins, the carriage lurched forward, sending Emma collapsing back against Pesh’s chest.

  As she pushed herself off of him, Emma asked, “How does he know your name?”

  “If you want a carriage ride after ten, you have to hire one.”

  “You hired a carriage ride for us?” Emma questioned incredulously.

  “Yes, well, at the time, it seemed like a good idea—another way for me to woo you. Of course, that was before I picked you up and experienced the whole scene with Aidan.”

  Emma ducked her head. “I’m so sorry.”

  Pesh’s fingers tenderly cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Please don’t apologize. I’m just happy to have had this lovely evening with you.”

  At his earnest expression, Emma smiled. “So am I. And thank you for being so understanding.”

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  They took in the sights and landmarks while the traffic and people bustled around them. To combat the cold, she snuggled closer to Pesh. He momentarily tensed before wrapping her in his arms. Although she hated herself for it, she couldn’t help noticing how he felt entirely different than Aidan. He was taller, more muscular. She felt almost tiny wrapped in his embrace, even with her ever expanding belly.

  “Emma,” he whispered.

  She jerked her head off his chest to stare up at him. The intense longing burning in his eyes took her off guard and sent the tiny flickering within her to start crackling and building. Before she could stop herself, she leaned forward, giving Pesh the invitation he sought.

  His warm lips brushed tentatively against hers. When Emma didn’t pull away, he pressed them harder. Ever the gentleman, he didn’t try to deepen the kiss by seeking entrance for his tongue. Instead, he pulled away to stare into her eyes. The flickering had sent flames shooting below her waist, and she brought her lips back to his. This time she slid her tongue along his lips. Pesh gave a moan low in his throat before darting his tongue against hers.

  In that instant, Emma couldn’t get close enough to him or get enough of him. Her hands were in his hair while she shifted to almost sit on his lap. She whimpered in frustration when Pesh’s hands came to her shoulders to push her back. “Emma, no.”

  “What?” she muttered through her haze.

  He shook his head. “This isn’t you. It’s your hormones.”

  “Wait, no. That’s not it at all.” She gazed up at him. “Trust me when I say, you’re a really, really good kisser.”

  Pesh chuckled. “And in five minutes, you’re going to hate yourself and me, just like I do right now.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I feel like a giant jackass for even putting the moves on you considering you’ve just come off bed rest, we barely know each other, and your emotions are with someone else.”

  She blinke
d a few times, taking in his words. Then her hands flew to cover her face. “Oh God, I just acted like a complete and total slut, didn’t I?” Emma moaned.

  “No, you didn’t.” When she peeked at him, Pesh gave her a sheepish grin. “Besides, you have your pregnancy hormones to blame. I should have known better.”

  She reached out to take his hand in hers. “It’s not just the hormones that make me want you, Pesh. You’re an amazing man—handsome, strong, compassionate, giving of yourself and your heart. Any woman in my place would be willing to drop her panties for you, even if they usually had morality.”

  He laughed. “All this time and who knew I was such a panty melter.”

  Emma grinned. “You need to get out of the ER more.”

  “If I had more evenings to look forward to like this, then maybe I would.”

  At his insinuation, Emma stared down at her lap. A frustrated noise came from the back of Pesh’s throat. Unwrapping himself from her, he scooted over to the other seat and tapped the driver. “Ed, I think it’s about time you backtracked and took us back. It’s a little too cold for Emma to be out this long.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  For the remainder of their ride, he sat across from her, and they talked of Atlanta, not what was happening or not happening between them. Emma felt frozen solid by the time they got back to the car. She thrust her hands in front of the heater while shifting to enjoy the heated leather seats.

  “I’m sorry you got so cold. I should have realized the weather wasn’t cooperating for a carriage ride.”

  Rubbing her hands together, she turned to smile at him. “No, I enjoyed it. Everything about tonight has been so wonderful.”

  “Hmm, should I take that for a real compliment considering you’ve been cooped up for two weeks?”

  Emma laughed. “Yes, you should. Although you probably could have taken me to something I hate like a sporting event, and I would have enjoyed it.”

  “Not much on sports, huh?”

  Wrinkling her nose, Emma said, “My heart is with the theater and the arts.”

  Pesh smiled. “I’ll have to remember that.”