She was grateful when they stepped out on the ground floor. Outside, in the bright sunshine, stood his car, parked in the bay just outside the doors.
Alex held the car door open for her and once she was safely inside, closed it and climbed in.
‘You look incredible,’ he said.
‘We had Lauren and Maddison’s announcement today,’ she said, by way of explanation.
‘I know. I saw it online.’ He flicked the indicator and pulled out into the street.
‘You did?’
‘I had to look up the building address.’
‘Right... I guess it makes sense that they put it out so quickly.’ Emma looked around at the buildings that passed by them, trying to figure out where they were going. ‘What’s this meeting about?’
An enigmatic smile crept onto his face. ‘Do you trust me?’
‘Yes,’ she said without hesitation. It surprised her how true it was. She trusted Alex.
‘Then you’ll see.’
Emma let it drop. There was a knot in her stomach that didn’t seem to ease, and she knew he could sense it.
‘It’s worth it. I promise.’
She nodded and forced herself to relax. This would be the only quiet moment she had in her day, so she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the sun on her skin. It wasn’t quite the walk she’d wanted, but it was better because it would be spent with Alex.
He brought the car to a stop in a roadside bay, then opened the door for her. Emma wasn’t sure if she would ever get over his chivalry, but she hoped it would never stop. There was no telling when she would get to experience it again once things were over between them.
They walked into a high-end restaurant. The kind that garnered huge followings on social media. The kind you would have a meeting at if you were trying to woo someone. And suddenly she felt as if they were.
There was an immaculately dressed woman in a suit sitting at the table that they were being ushered to.
‘Emma, I’d like you to meet Fiona Porter,’ Alex said, making the introduction.
She shook the woman’s hand. ‘Emma Brown...nice to meet you.’
Alex pulled a chair out for Emma before taking his seat beside her. ‘Fiona is a director of one of the largest literacy charities in Australia.’
Suddenly it all became clear, and Emma’s heart began to race. Alex must have seen the disbelief in her face, and he casually placed his arm around her shoulders. This was the most incredible thing anyone had ever done for her, and Emma was determined not to squander the opportunity.
‘Alex tells me you’re involved in charity work as well,’ Fiona said.
‘Yes, I am. I help run a small literacy charity here in Melbourne.’ Emma smiled.
‘A noble cause. Not a particularly easy one either.’ Fiona nodded knowingly.
‘No, it isn’t. It’s always a battle to secure donations. I have to say, I’ve followed the work of your organisation for a long time. It’s what inspired me to get involved.’
‘It pleases me greatly to hear that.’
A basket of breads and dips was placed on the table. They waited for the server to leave before continuing their conversation.
‘So what does your organisation do, Emma?’ Fiona asked.
‘We offer classes to teach adults and children...hold book drives...try to collect school materials.’
Emma’s heart was beating a frantic tattoo, but she felt the light touch of Alex’s thumb caressing the back of her neck and tried to lean into the feeling. She spoke passionately of all that they did and the people she got to meet. How much she enjoyed the work and how they marketed themselves.