Chapter Sixteen Emma
New York City’s most successful, elite businessmen and women fill the Melora Ballroom, stroking their own egos over expensive champagne and hard to pronounce tiny appetizers.
This is definitely not my scene, even with all the fancy Christmas decorations, but after Stacy tried to downplay me in front of the guys, I was determined to show up with a smile on my face and my nicest dress on.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that I’m surrounded by three handsome men who are successful in their own right.
“I think I need a drink,” I admit as the guys lead me through the busy ballroom, the sound of smooth jazz floating through the air over the buzz of conversations.
“Me too. What the hell, Josh? Do you actually like stuff like this?” Ryan mutters as he adjusts the black tie around his neck, looking like he’s about to crawl out of his skin.
“I prefer more casual events than this,” Josh replies as he takes the lead, guiding us to one of the servers walking around with a tray full of glasses of champagne.
He takes a few off, handing them around the group.
“Just have something to drink and tell people how great our company is. That’s the whole point. ”
“An evening for narcissists,” Max says as he lifts his glass. “Here’s to us making it out alive.”
I can’t help but laugh as I clink my glass against theirs. “You guys are being a little dramatic.”
“That’s how we make these things fun,” Josh replies before taking a long sip of his champagne. “At least the drinks are good.”
“So is the company,” Ryan adds as his arm brushes mine. “Well, specific company. I could care less about these elites.”
My face warms up as I smile at him. Taking his arm crosses my mind, but I caution myself, especially when I remember that Max is near me. He’s a stark reminder of what will happen if I don’t watch myself and keep my emotions in check.
Yes, that kiss was magic, but Ethan could’ve caught us. I like these guys so much, but I can’t stop thinking about the disaster that would happen if we were caught.
Speaking of disaster…
“There you are!” Stacy gasps as she strides over to Josh, leaning forward like she wants to hug him or kiss him. Maybe both.
Josh awkwardly leans away. “Thanks for the invite. This looks like a nice gala.”
I have to fight to keep the smirk off my face. She definitely still likes him, but at least it seems like Josh isn’t interested in her. It was kind of hard to tell when he kept dropping work for her, but she does have access to a lot of high profile events and connections.
Stacy blinks at him, her lips pursing with disappointment. She places her hands on her hips, jutting out her chest more as her red dress with a low neckline hugs her body. “Sure. Glad to see everyone could make it.”
The moment her annoyed eyes land on me, a surge of defiance hits me. Maybe I’m just tired of people questioning the validity of my career, but my patience has been a little thin lately.
“I really appreciate you adding me to the list,” I tell her as I loop my arms with Josh’s and Max’s arms. “Maybe I’ll find my next big client here.”
“Trying to replace us already?” Josh asks he cocks an eyebrow at me.
I laugh and shake my head. “The three of you have been part of my life since the beginning. I don’t think it’s possible to get rid of you.”
“We wouldn’t go willingly,” Max assures me.
I meet his eyes, warmth stirring in my chest as our kiss replays in my head. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, even if neither of us has mentioned it.
Another song starts playing, one that’s more romantic and slower than the previous ones, coaxing a few more couples to the open dance floor.
Stacy glances behind her. “Josh—”
“Dance with me,” Josh tells me, cutting her off. “I like this song.”
My heart skips a beat before Max places his hand over mine and squeezes. It’s a soft reassurance before releasing me so that Josh can lead me toward the dance floor.
I catch one more glance at Stacy’s shocked face and almost feel bad for her.
Almost. From what I’ve heard about her, I don’t think she wants to be with Josh because he’s a kind, amazing person.
I think she likes the thought of being with a hot, rich CEO and wants to show him off to make others jealous.
If I can, I want to prevent him from being used like that.
“I had to save us from that terrible interaction,” Josh tells me once we hand off our drinks.
He turns me to face him, his free hand settling on the small of my back and igniting a trail of heat down my spine.
He guides me toward him and starts to step to the music, the glowing lights of a nearby Christmas tree basking us in a golden hue.
“That’s the only reason why you asked me to dance?” I tease him, my chest growing tight as it presses against his. The friction is almost too much, and we’ve just gotten started. We’re too close, but it feels too good to break away.
Josh chuckles. “Fine, you caught me. Maybe I wanted a few minutes alone with you. You look gorgeous in this dress.”
It’s silver and sparkly, matching the Christmas theme that was recommended for everyone to follow. Josh looks great in his dark red suit.
“You look very nice yourself,” I say as we sway together. The muscle of his upper back shifts under my hand, and I can’t help but wonder how good he looks under his clothes.
Josh smiles and gives me a playful twirl before pulling me right back to him. Somehow, we’re even closer, our faces lingering only inches apart. “You’re making Stacy very jealous.”
“She thinks you’re hers. You have been giving her a lot of attention lately,” I point out.
Josh sighs and nods. “She keeps baiting me with all this business stuff. I’m tired of feeling like I’m back in a relationship with her, though.
She never does anything nice just to be nice.
There always has to be a price. I’m not doing it anymore.
After tonight, I’m not chasing her business deals anymore. ”
“Good. You shouldn’t. You deserve better,” I tell him, feeling genuinely proud of him.
Josh tilts his head at me, his eyes not leaving mine. “I know who I want, but I don’t think I deserve her.”
My heart rate spikes as my eyes widen. “Why would you think you don’t deserve her?”
Josh shrugs as he lifts his hand to brush his fingertips along my burning cheek. “She’s too special. Too beautiful. Too smart.”
I stop breathing as his forehead grazes mine. He smells so good. Feels so good. I’m about to lose my mind. “You’re underestimating yourself.”
Josh turns his head a little, his nose brushing mine. “I hope so.”
My eyes flutter shut as I feel his lips graze the corner of my mouth, my body coming alive. I need him.
But before I can fully kiss him, the song ends, the silence jarring me. I draw away and catch my breath, my eyes flying to his.
Josh blinks like he just came out of a daze. He parts his mouth to speak, but a man behind me calls out his name. His face looks pained as he glances at me, an apology in his eyes. “Damn it. I need to talk to him real quick.”
I nod and walk away, not wanting the moment to get even more weird. I can’t believe we almost kissed! What am I doing?
“Oh, wait. There she is. Emma!”
I freeze at the sound of Max’s voice, my eyes slowly moving across the crowd until I spot Max talking to a middle-aged man and woman. I suck in a deep breath and walk toward them, plastering a polite smile on my face. Even though I feel like my world has tilted.
First Max and now Josh? What am I doing?
“Hello,” I say with a fake cheeriness, approaching the small group.
“This is Emma Blake. She’s been working her graphic design magic on our update,” Max introduces me. “This is John Lambert and Ava Clarke. They own a popular clothing brand that’s in a lot of stores around the city.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say as I shake both of their hands.
“Max has said some good things about you,” John tells me. “He said you have more vision and passion than anyone else he has ever worked with.”
My eyes widen with awe as I look at Max. “Well, he’s the most dedicated, hardworking person I’ve ever worked with. Working with a great team brings out the best in you.”
“Agreed,” Ava says. “It makes all the difference.”
“Emma runs her own show,” Max tells them as his hand grazes the small of my back. “She’s good independently and with a team. Unfortunately, we’ll be parting ways business-wise at the end of this month, but if you know of anyone who needs help in the graphic design department, drop her name.”
“Do you have an online portfolio I can access? I might know a guy who needs some design work done,” John asks me.
After I give John and Ava my contact information, I flash Max a genuinely grateful look. He didn’t have to go out of his way to help me like that. “I need to go to the restroom, but it was really nice meeting you guys.”
“Lovely to meet you too,” Ava replies, both of them shaking my hand again.
I squeeze Max’s arm. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
Max smiles and nods, his fingertips grazing mine as I walk away.
I force myself out of the ballroom and down the hallway where the restrooms are located, my heart hammering in my chest. The more I’m around the guys, the less control that I have over my actions.
And my feelings. Don’t get me started about those.
Why can’t I like anyone else on the planet? Why does it have to be my brothers’ closest friends?
An exhausted sigh drifts from me as I walk into the restroom and go to the sink, checking my reflection and giving myself a few minutes to gather myself. Well, maybe more than a few minutes. I’m having a good time with them, but I can’t have too good of a time. That’s when mistakes might be made.
I adjust the short sleeves of my dress and check the back of it, preparing to dive back into the fray and get through the rest of the gala.
An alarm suddenly blares throughout the building, making me jump in surprise. My eyes dart up to the fire alarm in the bathroom as it flashes and wails, my heart shooting up into my throat.
This can’t possibly be a drill.
I push open the bathroom door and step outside and find dark smoke curling through the hallway—thick, silent, and terrifying.