Chapter Eighteen
CALLIE
“Gene is the fucking worst.”
We were nestled into the cozy cocoon of the cinema room.
The plush gray couch had practically begged me to sink into its cushy embrace.
We’d been talking for hours. Emmett had gracefully steered the conversation in a lighter direction, and we’d covered a broad spectrum of subjects—some serious and others not-so.
But we managed to find common ground on nearly everything.
Even if we didn’t agree, we seemed to understand the other’s perspective.
It was refreshing to talk to someone so openly and easily. The lingering glances were easy, too. Emmett was very easy to look at.
Eye candy, indeed.
This trip had started to feel dangerous. Emmett insisted there was no good excuse not to pursue this, but I still had one. My career was on the line—a line I was not-so-carefully toeing as I looked at the ridiculously charming man sitting next to me.
What is my life right now?
“My dad said he wasn’t always like this.
” Emmett’s smile had faded, and he shrugged.
“I think he’s become a little jaded and bitter since his wife left him.
But it’s no excuse to treat people like shit.
A couple years ago, Alex’s wife had a second trimester miscarriage, and fucking Gene went around me and called Alex directly, demanding he come into the office. I was so fucking pissed.”
“Oh, God, that’s awful. They just had a baby not too long ago, didn’t they?”
“Yeah, a little girl. Charlotte.” Emmett looked more like a proud uncle than a boss. “Took them a long time, but they finally brought home a baby.”
“Do you want kids?”
He frowned and looked at the floor.
“What is it?”
“I do want kids. But I’m starting to wonder if it’s even in the cards for me.”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
He blew out a rough breath. “Because dating is fucking hard, Callie. I hate it.” The story of his last relationship clattered around in my head.
“I’d love to spare you from it.”
He said it so quietly, I almost missed it. I reached out a tentative hand and placed it on his thigh. His head jerked up, and he looked at me. This time, I didn’t see sadness.
I saw a tiny glimmer of hope.
* * *
“What’s been your favorite project?”
“Hmm, that’s tough.” Emmett tapped a long finger against his lips. The movement drew my attention. I knew what those lips felt like, tasted like. It would be so easy to close the distance between us and kiss him.
“Probably The Garden. And I’m not just saying that because we talked about it or because Marco loves the fries.
” He threw me another spellbinding grin, and my heart thawed another fraction.
“The team worked so hard and felt so strongly about the project. Seeing their pride when it was all said and done was rewarding in a way I can’t quite describe. ”
Sometimes I thought he didn’t take his job seriously, then there were moments like this when I was reminded that he wasn’t there for the title or the praise or to throw his weight around.
He genuinely cared about people. He wanted to see the company succeed and his grandfather’s legacy thrive, yes, but not at the expense of its people.
Quite the contrary. He wanted it to thrive because of the people.
“Have you ever tried to do more to make a difference? Make all the projects more philanthropic?”
He glowered. “I’ve tried. Gene shuts me down every time. Says it won’t pay back. This community development is the most good I’ve been able to do without his pushback. And I have you to thank for that.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“Impressed Thomas Price. Gene couldn’t force his bullshit down my father’s throat after you’d so thoroughly won him over.”
My cheeks heated. “It was nothing, really. I just pitched him the same proposal you helped me perfect.”
“That’s not what he told me.”
“It’s not?”
“Nope. I believe his exact words to me were, ‘Don’t lose her, son. You’ll regret it if you do.’”
I attempted to swallow the lump in my throat. I didn’t want to read too much into the words. But Emmett’s expression as he delivered them gave them the force of a killing blow, knocking out the last of my defenses.
* * *
The captain’s voice cut in, directing us back to our seats for landing. I tensed as the plane dipped lower through the clouds, and Emmett took my hand once more.
“Almost there,” he said soothingly.
I squeezed my eyes shut as the tarmac rushed up to meet us. The wheels bounced roughly on impact before smoothing out. When we came to a stop at our terminal, I gave an audible sigh of relief.
“Welcome to London,” Emmett said.
By the time we reached the bottom of the airstairs, the driver was already collecting our bags. Emmett led me to a sleek black limo. As I settled into the plush leather seat, I took in the luxury vehicle’s interior with a sharp intake of breath.
“Swanky.” I ran my hands over the smooth wood paneling.
Emmett chuckled and gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Perks of traveling with a Price.”
“I’ll say. The extent of my limo experience is prom night.”
“Oh, really? Was it an eventful prom night?”
“Tommy Lawson touched my boob, which—for me, at the time—was very eventful.”
Emmett snorted and shook his head.
“I can’t believe I’m really here.” I looked out the window as our driver pulled away from the airport, taking in every moment.
Emmett winked and nudged my shoulder. “Stick with me, babe. It only gets better from here.”