The Morning After The Wedding Before

by Anne Oliver

  But he knew Emma. And she’d opened his eyes and his heart to a different world. A world where life held more meaning than he’d ever imagined.

  ‘Jake … Wha …?’ Her drowsy murmur drifted away.

  ‘Sleep, sweetheart,’ he murmured against her temple, and she snuggled into her pillow, eyes already closed again.

  He woke before dawn, still fully dressed on top of her quilt, his eyes snapping open to the fading sound of a car’s tyres screeching in the distance. Emma was spooned against him as warm and soft as a kitten. He shifted carefully off her bed and let himself out into the pearl-grey of early morning.

  He hurried to his car. He had plans to make before his working day started.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  JAKE was wearing a groove in the floorboards in Emma’s studio. He’d left the office at lunchtime, dropped by Emma’s workplace and asked her for a key so he could work on her computer. She’d told him she’d be home by six.

  It was now twenty minutes past.

  The mustard chicken and orzo casserole he’d ordered from his favourite gourmet kitchen was in the oven. A bottle of her favourite bubbly was chilling in the fridge, along with a couple of his favourite gourmet cupcakes.

  He’d cleared the work from her table and covered its scarred surface with a cream lace cloth he’d found in her kitchen drawer, placed on it a bunch of red poppies he’d bought.

  Should he have taken her to some fancy restaurant instead? No. He didn’t want a bunch of strangers intruding. He wanted to share the moment with her. Only her.

  A beam of light arced through the window and the familiar engine’s sound had him reaching for gas lighter and candles.

  Grabbing the plastic carry bag of fried chicken and a bottle of fizzy stuff from the passenger seat, Emma swung her bag over her shoulder and almost danced down the steps. She couldn’t wait to tell him her news. She hadn’t phoned. She needed to say it in person.

  ‘Honey, I’m home,’ she sing-songed as she pushed the door open.

  She was met by some herby, aromatic fragrance. On the table, tall red poppies speared out of a jar alongside two squat red candles already lit.

  Jake was pouring fine pink champagne into two glasses that were far too elegant to have come from her cupboard. He looked too elegant, in slim-fitting black trousers and a snowy-white shirt that looked as if it had just come out of a box.

  ‘Seems you beat me to it.’ She set down her own cheap bottle of fizz on the sideboard and admired the candlelight reflecting on crystal and silver. ‘This looks wickedly romantic.’

  ‘I thought it was time I took a chance on the romance bit. You don’t mind, do you?’ Hands occupied with wine and glasses, he grinned and leaned forward so that she could plant an enthusiastic kiss on his lips. He smelled of some exotic new fragrance.

  ‘I don’t mind. Taking chances is what it’s all about, right?’ Overflowing with excitement, she sashayed over to the oven, peeked at the delicious-looking meal inside. ‘And I bought take-away. You should’ve let me know you were planning a seduction.’

  ‘I wanted to surprise you.’

  ‘You did. And I’ve got—’

  ‘Everything’s ready. Sit.’

  He didn’t appear to hear her. Okay, this wasn’t the moment, she decided. He’d obviously gone to a lot of trouble. ‘It smells yummy.’

  ‘It tastes even better.’ Pulling out her chair, he waited till she was seated, then walked to the oven. He removed the casserole, set it on the table, then sat down opposite her.

  ‘You okay?’ She studied him. ‘You seem a little …’ she circled a finger in the air ‘… preoccupied.’

  His mouth kicked up at one corner as his gaze drifted over the front of her shirt. ‘If I am, it’s your fault for looking so sexy after a day at work.’

  ‘And don’t you know just the right things to say?’ While he spooned the meal into shallow bowls, she fingered a poppy. ‘I didn’t know poppies had blue centres.’

  ‘These do.’

  ‘Made-to-order poppies? Hmm. You have put thought into this.’

  ‘They remind me of you in that sexy red coat of yours. Tall, slim. Blue-eyed. Gorgeous.’ He raised their glasses, handed her one. ‘To happiness.’ Did his eyes look different tonight? Deep and dark … Maybe she was imagining it.

  Because everything looked different tonight. From the sunset to the sea, even her old studio apartment. Everything felt different tonight. Her life was about to change.

  ‘To happiness.’ She took a sip, then set her glass down. She was bursting to talk but she squashed it. She didn’t want to spoil his evening’s plans. She wanted him to see her make time and enjoy the meal he’d obviously taken so much thought with first. The crystal flutes were sparkly new and very expensive. He’d used her best silver cutlery and china and her grandmother’s tablecloth.

  She spread a matching cloth napkin over her knee. ‘Did you cook this yourself?’

  ‘It’s from a gourmet shop in Bondi. I shop there so often the owner’s thinking of making me a partner.’ He passed her a bowl. ‘I’d have cooked, but today’s been a bit of a rush.’

  So while they ate she asked him about his day. One of his colleagues in the office was taking on a high-profile case. He’d almost finished entering her data on the computer.

  How was it going with Cherry and Kevin? He’d driven Cherry to the safe house and they’d chosen paint for the walls. Cherry and a couple of the other girls were starting that job next week in their spare time.

  When they’d polished off the last cake crumb from their plates and were enjoying their filtered coffee, Jake decided the moment was right now. He took a gulp of coffee to moisten his throat and steady his nerves. His fingers tightened on the little box in his trouser pocket.

  ‘Emma, I—’

  ‘I have some news—’

  Both spoke at the same time.

  She was clutching her hands together beneath her chin. Her sapphire eyes shone like stars, reflecting the candlelight.

  A premonition snaked down Jake’s spine and his breath snagged in his chest. Why did he suddenly feel as if the floor was about to give way? He nodded once. ‘You first.’

  Her shoulders lifted and she leaned forward. Her familiar fragrance curled around his nostrils.

  ‘You talked about taking a chance earlier—on romance. And it’s been lovely. Everything. Thank you for making the evening so special.’

  He acknowledged that, but didn’t speak.

  ‘I’ve taken a chance too. I’ve been offered work in Queensland. Real work. Work I love, work I’ve wanted all my life but never had the opportunity to do.’

  Jake was having trouble processing the words. Queensland. He was grateful he was sitting down because his legs suddenly felt like lead stumps. ‘Queensland?’

  ‘I know. Isn’t it exciting? I can’t believe it.’

  Neither could Jake. ‘Where? Who? You’ve made plans?’ Without discussing it with me?

  ‘You remember Daniel McDougal? From the mall last week? Well, he was so impressed with my products he had them analysed and everything, consulted with his partners, and rang me this afternoon. He wants to invest in my product line and take me on as a consultant to liaise with his client base all around the state.’

  Daniel McDougal. Mr Pretty Boy. ‘But what do you know about him? Aren’t you jumping in without the facts? God, Emma, you can’t just—’

  ‘Turns out he’s Kelsey’s cousin. You know—the owner of the shop? I talked to her, and checked him out on the internet to make sure. Danny’s a real success story up there.’

  So it was Danny now? Jake clenched his jaw. ‘You don’t have to make a decision right away, Emma.’ But she didn’t seem to be listening.

  ‘He’s got stores around Australia. He’s booked me an airline ticket for tomorrow morning to meet the staff and look over the factory before I commit to anything. He emailed me the information. I have a copy right here. Since you’re the expert, I’d be gra
teful if you’d check it out?’ She reached into her bag, pulled some papers out, set them on the table.

  Damn right he’d check it out. He picked them up with a restraint he was far from feeling. ‘This isn’t something you simply say yes to, Emma.’ He flicked through the first couple of pages. ‘There are other considerations to take into account.’ Us, for starters.

  ‘Of course, and I know that. Jake, put those pages down and look at me.’

  He did. He’d never seen her so happy. That sparkle in her eyes, excitement glowing in her cheeks.

  ‘We’ve got something special,’ she said. ‘But it was only ever temporary, I’m realistic enough to know that. I’m a career girl, you said so yourself. This chance to do something meaningful with my life is what I’ve been waiting for. And if it wasn’t for you I’d never have had the courage to go for it. I have to try or it’ll all have been for nothing. Do you understand?’

  His fingers clenched beneath the table. ‘Yes.’ She was thinking with her head, not her heart—she was doing the right thing. He knew she had to give it a shot. Because if he told her he loved her and asked her to stay and she missed out on her big opportunity he’d never forgive himself. He forced himself to smile. ‘I’m proud of you, Emma. You’ve come so far.’

  Her answering smile and the dancing sapphires in her eyes faded a little. ‘It’s such a big decision, and I have to make it on my own, but … Oh, Jake, I …’ She bit down on her lip. ‘I … I almost wish I could ask you to make the decision for me. With me.’

  Damn. Her heart was bleeding into the mix, threatening to sabotage everything. He needed to leave soon, because he didn’t trust himself not to try and change her mind—and that would be the worst thing he could ever do for her.

  ‘That’s the old Emma talking. Don’t listen to her. You know what you want, so go for it.’

  A memory of his mother flashed through his mind. She’d left him too. The circumstances were at opposite ends of the spectrum but the hurt was the same. All these years he’d never allowed a woman into his heart, and in a couple of weeks Emma had managed to do what no other woman had.

  ‘Emma. You’re a very special woman and I’ve enjoyed being with you. But circumstances seem to have made the decision for us. And I want you to go. I want you to have that opportunity to shine because I know you will.’

  Rising, he swiped his jacket that hung over a chair, shrugged it on—he’d never felt so cold. He picked up her papers. ‘I’ll look this over and get back to you.’

  ‘Jake, wait.’ She pushed up, eyes wide. ‘Why are you leaving so soon? Didn’t you have something you wanted to tell me just now? You let me have my say—it’s your turn.’

  He shook his head. ‘I was going to tell you I’m flying out too—tomorrow morning. A client’s set up a new business in Melbourne and wants my advice.’ He waved a hand over the table. ‘The meal was to … sweeten things.’ He smiled again but it felt as if his lips had turned to stone. ‘Turns out it was a celebration after all. And if I know anything about women, you’ll need the rest of the night to sort what you’re taking and pack.’

  He took her in his arms, kissed her beautiful lips just once. Inhaled the scent of her shampoo, drifted his fingers over her silky cheeks as he stepped back and looked into her eyes one last time.

  ‘Go, Emma, and make me proud.’

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  EMMA yawned as the taxi pulled into her driveway at ten p.m. on Thursday evening. She paid the cabbie, jumped out to key in the gate’s security code, then collected her cabin bag from the footpath.

  As she rolled it across the pavers she saw her mother exit the back door, the old cardigan she’d wrapped around her shoulders flapping in the breeze as she came to meet her.

  Just what she didn’t need right now, but Emma pasted on a smile. ‘Hi, Mum. You’re back.’

  ‘Yesterday. I got your text. How was Brisbane?’

  ‘Warm and sticky.’ And lonely.

  ‘Jake dropped by this afternoon to drop this off for you.’ She held out a large envelope. ‘Said he’d rather leave it with me than in the letterbox.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She frowned. ‘I thought he was going to Melbourne.’ It must have only been an overnight stay. Emma knew she should wait until she was alone, but she needed to see what Jake thought of the offer of employment. She so needed to see his handwriting. Anything. Something of him.

  She slid the documents out. A green sticky note was attached to the top page.

  Hi Em. Looks OK.

  Remember, go with your gut—if you think it’s right,

  do it. And good luck.

  J.

  ‘My offer of employment.’

  Emma blinked back tears as she slid the contents back into the envelope. Forty-eight hours ago she’d thought it was worth more than gold. Now she knew it wasn’t. A successful career was an empty one if she couldn’t share it with the man she loved.

  Rubbing the chill air from her arms, she reached for the handle of her case. ‘I hope you were pleasant to Jake?’

  Her mother pursed her lips, but then seemed to relax a little, and something like a smile twitched at her lips. ‘Bit of a charmer, that one. Done all right for himself, hasn’t he?’

  ‘Yes. He has.’

  ‘Come inside for a few moments.’ She turned and began walking the way she’d come.

  The kitchen, when Emma entered, was warm and smelled of fresh-baked cinnamon cake. She hadn’t smelled that comfortable homey aroma in this kitchen in years.

  Her mother pulled a carton of milk from the fridge. ‘Would you like a hot chocolate? I could do with one myself.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Emma sat down at the kitchen table. ‘You’ve been baking.’

  ‘Stan’s coming up to Sydney tomorrow.’ She put milk in the microwave, then set slices of fresh buttered cake on the table. ‘Try this and tell me if I got it right. I tried a new recipe.’

  Emma took a slice and broke a piece off, bit into it. ‘Mmm—yum.’ She dusted off her fingers. ‘So how long will Stan be staying?’

  ‘Not sure yet.’

  ‘He’s staying here?’

  ‘Yes.’ Her mother stirred chocolate powder into the hot milk and poured it into two mugs, then carried them to the table and sat down.

  Emma cupped her hands around the mug and blew on the steaming surface. ‘This smells good.’ Almost as good as the old milk and honey fix. ‘So … things are going well for you two?’

  ‘We have a lot in common.’

  ‘That’s great, Mum. What are you planning while he’s here?’

  ‘We’ll take it as it comes. What about you and Jake?’

  Emma could feel her mother’s eyes on her and stared into her mug. ‘He … We …’ She swallowed the lump that rose up her throat.

  ‘He was the mistake you thought he might be?’

  Still staring at her mug, she said, ‘It was one of those get-it-out-of-your-system things …’ Only she hadn’t.

  ‘So you’re going to Brisbane to work?’

  ‘I thought I was. But I’ve changed my mind.’

  She flashed Emma a look. ‘Why?’

  ‘Mum, why did you stay with Dad when you had so many reasons not to?’

  ‘I had two children.’

  Emma’s jaw tightened. ‘And you made us pay for your unhappiness. Every day of our lives.’

  She saw her mother flinch, then she put her mug down and folded her arms on the edge of the table. ‘Yes. I did. I’m sorry for it. I was wrong.’

  Emma studied her, thoughtful. Jake’s mother had abandoned her child and he’d suffered the consequences his whole life. Emma’s had stayed, even if it would have been better for all if she hadn’t. But maybe her mother had been too afraid to leave—afraid of the changes it would bring. The way Emma had been afraid.

  Basically her mother had made what she’d thought was the right decision, and it wasn’t Emma’s place to judge.

  ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that,’ Emma mur
mured.

  ‘It needed to be said. I needed to hear it. But a good man, a man who takes the time to look beneath the hard shell and find the woman inside screaming to be let out …’ Her mother’s voice softened. It was a tone Emma hadn’t thought her capable of, and an unexpected smile brightened her whole demeanour. ‘Well, he can change your life.’

  Emma nodded. ‘Yes. He can.’ Stan had instigated the change in her mum without Bernice even being aware of it. And wasn’t that what Jake had done for Emma?

  Friday

  ‘Good afternoon, Carmody and Associates.’

  ‘Hi, Jasmine, it’s Emma Byrne.’

  ‘Emma, hi.’ There was a smile in Jake’s PA’s voice that wasn’t only professional courtesy. ‘What can I do for you?’

  Emma’s fingers tightened on the phone and she rolled her lips together before saying, ‘I was wondering … is Jake there?

  ‘Yes. He’s free at the moment. Do you want me to put you thr—?’

  ‘No.’ She swallowed. ‘Thanks. I wanted to know … I want …’ She sucked in a deep breath. ‘Actually, I was hoping you could help me …’

  Jake checked his watch, then pressed the intercom. ‘Jasmine? Looks like your friend’s a no-show. Why don’t you give him a call, tell him to reschedule? I’m knocking off early—’

  ‘She’ll be here,’ she assured him. ‘Do me a favour and wait a few more moments.’

  Jake was already shutting down his computer with his free hand. Jasmine hadn’t mentioned her friend was a woman. The only woman he wanted to see walking through that door was a million miles away.

  ‘I gave her my word you’d see her tonight,’ Jasmine continued. ‘Hang on …’ He heard a muffled sound then, ‘I can see her from the window. She’s walking into the building now.’

  Emma refused to let the nerves zapping beneath her ribcage win. She was a woman on a mission and nothing was going to stand in her way. So she wasn’t afraid of walking into an office high-rise to face the most important meeting of her life.

  Six p.m. on a chilly autumn evening in Sydney’s CBD and the business day was over. Workers were trickling out of the building on their way home.