And if I played my cards right, I might be able to taste her lips again.
I sat down into my seat and kept my head focused on work. There were several new hires whose benefits needed to be updated and processed as well as contractors that needed to be set right after fucking stuff up with the new builds. I placed phone calls and scheduled a meeting with my board of investors. I sent out quarterly projections outlining how they could see a return in their money via a jump in stocks as well as cold hard cash.
All of it, distancing me from my sister.
All of it, drawing me closer to my time with Emma.
Five o’clock couldn't have come soon enough. The second my phone ticked over, I grabbed my shit and ran out the door. I locked my office behind me and barreled to the elevator, anxious to get to my car so I could beat the kids home.
I was ready to see Emma.
I was also ready to wrap those kids in my arms, kiss their cheeks, and tell them how much I loved them.
Because that was what they deserved.
They deserved someone to love them.
Fifteen
Emma
“I feel like we haven’t had the chance to talk in forever,” Catherine said as I handed her a glass of wine.
“Because we haven’t,” I said. “But I’m glad we’re getting the chance to talk now.”
“I feel like work is slowly taking over my existence. I hate end of the year exam time.”
“You’re telling me. It’s why I have a fridge full of wine at my house.”
“So, fill me in. What’s been going on in your life? And what’s this I hear about you being pulled into Mr. Atkinson’s office?” she asked.
“Wow, word flies fast around Lawrence Day. I forget about that sometimes.”
“Is everything okay? What did you do now?”
“What do you mean, what did I do?” I asked. “It was nothing. I’m not sure I can talk about it, but it had nothing to do with me.”
“Can you tell me who it had to do with?” she asked.
“Ryan,” I said plainly.
“Oh, so we’re on a first-name basis with the boy now?”
“The boy? And what’s wrong with being on a first-name basis?”
“You never told me if you accepted his dinner date proposal,” she said with a grin. “You know, that cute little card Zoey gave you the other day.”
I took a sip of my wine and averted my gaze.
“You didn’t.”
“Catherine-”
“You went out with him! Oh my gosh. Spill everything. What was dinner like with the playboy?”
“He’s not a playboy,” I said.
“Are you high? Or do you not read the news?” she asked.