She winced.
“And I’d do it again.” He grasped her hand, giving it a brief squeeze before returning his palm to the steering wheel. “We have something here. It might not be till death do us part, but it’s something.”
She didn’t know what to say to that so instead she said, “It was kind of you to buy for me.”
“I buy for you every year.”
“Yes, but this year felt...weirder.” He’d given her tickets to the fanciest New Year’s Eve ball in Dallas, and she had no idea how he’d scored them. Even as Dallas’s youngest female billionaire, she hadn’t yet managed a coveted invite. “How’d you land two tickets to Sonia Osborne’s Sparkle & Shine gala? I’ve wanted to go for years.”
“I know.” Those two words were the most touching of the evening.
Who knew Emmett had paid attention to what she wanted or cared about?
He turned into a complex with modern, cozy town houses. Gray siding, white windowsills, charcoal-black roofs. When he turned right onto a street charmingly named Lamplight, she noticed Christmas lights strung on every house but one. And that was the driveway he pulled into and waited patiently for the garage door to raise.
The garage was tidy and organized. One set of metal shelves stood on the right side by an entry door, and on it were rows of black milk crates where he stashed his garage-wares.
“This is it.” He shut off the engine. “I’ll grab the bags. Go on in.”
Since it was cold outside and he offered, she let him do his husbandly duty and entered in through the kitchen. The light was already on, so no there was need to find the switch.
The interior was as manly as the man she’d married with its dark floors, polished wood, a white ceiling striped with thick exposed beams. Edison lights dangled over a stainless steel countertop, flanked by black cabinetry. She stepped down three stairs that led to a sunken room and flipped on one switch, then another, illuminating a wide-open living room and tall windows, leading to a slatted staircase and a second floor.
If not for the warm lights, Emmett’s brown-and-gray town house would closely resemble a nuclear bunker.
“He’s all set up in the—oh... Hello.”
Stefanie spun around to face the stairs and met eyes with a tall, curvy brunette. Her medium-length hair was straight and sassy, her breasts bursting from a plum-colored V-neck sweater. Her heeled boots and tight leather leggings made her legs look ten miles long and her wide mouth was painted with berry-colored lipstick. Each detail became more apparent as she glided down the steps and into the living room.
“I was expecting Emmett,” the beautiful Amazon purred. “I’m Sunday.”
Stefanie blinked, not understanding...well, much of anything at the moment.
She folded her arms, unsure who this strange woman was or why she was in Emmett’s house. She didn’t recall a tale about him having a sister but found herself silently hoping for a pop-up sibling at the moment.
“And you are?” the other woman asked.
“My wife.” Emmett joined them and looped his arm around Stefanie’s back. “Stefanie Ferguson, this is Sunday Webber.”
“Wife. Wow.” A sharp glint lit Sunday’s brown eyes. She was surprised, and not in an oh-I’m-so-happy-for-you way.
“And Sunday is your...” Stef started.
“Friend,” the other woman supplied, her smile snapping into place. She then addressed Emmett, which Stefanie didn’t like at all. “Oscar’s set up in your spare bedroom. Litter box, food and a few toys. He’s grouchy from having to travel, but he’ll come out eventually.” She waved a hand. “You know what he’s like.”
Stef didn’t like the familiarity in that statement, either. Or the fact that his “friend” Sunday had a key. At least the mention of a litter box stalled any assumption that there was a child named Oscar upstairs.
“This is still okay, right?” Sunday’s gaze flickered from Emmett to Stefanie.
“Yeah. It’s been a busy weekend. I forgot about the cat, but it’s fine.”
Stef had a million questions, but she wasn’t going to dispense them with Sunday as an audience.
“I’m off to Denver. Thanks again. I’ll pick him up next weekend.” She moved to Emmett like she would have normally kissed or hugged him goodbye, when Stefanie wrapped both her arms around his waist. She stopped short of hissing.
Emmett’s arm tightened around Stefanie’s shoulders as if reassuring her. He nodded his goodbye to Sunday. “Have a safe trip.”
“I’ll let myself out. Nice to meet you, Emmett’s wife.”