Chapter 26 Emily
“I’ll miss you,” Andrew whispers into my ear, then trails kisses down my jawline. I giggle, trying to pull back but not really wanting to.
“It’s just lunch,” I say, but my words come out breathless. His lips are warm and soft, and his hands on my waist make it hard to think straight.
“Lunch without you,” he murmurs, nipping at my earlobe. “That’s like torture.”
I laugh and finally manage to push him away, just enough to see his face. He’s got that playful grin, the one that always makes my heart skip a beat. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Yeah, for my wife,” he says, and the way he says it, so casually and confidently, makes my cheeks flush. He’s been saying things like that more often, and every time, it sends a thrill through me.
“Well, try not to starve while I’m gone,” I tease, patting his chest. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Not soon enough!” He finally lets me go, his hands lingering on my waist for a moment longer.
I step back, smoothing down my dress and trying to compose myself. It’s getting harder to leave him lately. The more time we spend together, the more I don’t want to be apart.
“Alright, I’m really going now,” I say, grabbing my purse from his desk. “I don’t want to keep your mom waiting.”
I find myself sashaying as I walk to the door and when I look over my shoulder, I’m rewarded by Andrew’s heated gaze on me.
The last few days have been like a honeymoon. A belated honeymoon. We’ve been all over each other, at work and at home. I’m falling in love with Andrew.
I have a smile as I leave the office and head to my car in the basement.
I slide into the driver’s seat, already planning my afternoon. Before I turn on the ignition, I call Owen. He picks up on the second ring .
“Hey, Emily,” he says, his voice bright. “I was just about to call you. I’ve got some news.”
“Good news, I hope?” I ask, crossing my fingers. If he’s finally found a buyer willing to meet my asking price, it would be one less thing to worry about.
“We’ll talk when we meet later,” he replies, a hint of mystery in his tone. “Can you swing by the apartment this afternoon?”
“Of course,” I say, a smile spreading across my face. “I’ll be there after lunch.”
“Great. See you then.”
I hang up, my spirits lifted. Maybe things are finally falling into place. I turn the key in the ignition and head out, making my way to the restaurant where I’m meeting Barbara.
When I walk into the restaurant, Barbara is already there, seated at a table by the window. She waves at me, a warm smile lighting up her face, and I make my way over.
“Emily, darling,” she says, standing up to give me a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too, Barbara,” I say, returning the hug. “Thank you for inviting me.”
I sit down and the server comes over to talk my order for a drink. I glance at Barbara’s water and order the same.
“I’m so excited that we’re doing this,” she says, leaning across the table.
“Me too,” I echo, her joy infectious.
“How are your parents?” she asks. “Have you heard from your father?”
The server brings my water and I take a large sip before answering. This is one of the reasons I preferred to stay away from Barbara.
“They’re okay,” I say hoping it’s the end of the questions. I hate that I’m lying to this woman who only wants to get to know her son’s wife.
“Your father must be enjoying his travels,” she continues .
“He is,” I say. Resentment comes over me. My father should not have made me make a promise that would turn into a lie. A lie that could destroy what me and Andrew are trying to build.
The only saving grace will be him waking up from that coma. Each day, Dad’s doctor assures us that it will happen any time. But time is running out. I’m digging myself more into a hole every day that he doesn’t wake up.
The server hands us each a menu and I peruse it, glad to have something else to focus on.
“So, you and Andrew,” Barbara says after we’ve given our order. She reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I’ve never seen him so happy.”
Her words warm me. It feels good to know that other people are seeing it. I’m happy too. Happier than I’ve ever been.
Barbara squeezes my hand and pulls away, her face taking on a faraway expression. “It reminds me of how he was as a little boy. Always so serious, even as a toddler. But when he smiled, it could light up a room.”
I smile, picturing Andrew as a little boy. “I can definitely see that. He still has that serious look, but when he smiles...”
Barbara nods enthusiastically. “He’s always been that way. But after he came back from his tour, he was different. Lost. We were all so worried about him.”
A pang comes over me. “He’s been through a lot.”
Barbara takes a sip of her drink, then looks at me with an intensity that makes me sit up straighter. “But lately, he seems happier. Like he’s found himself again. And I know you have a lot to do with that.”
I’m caught off guard, not sure what to say. “Actually, he’s started going to therapy,” I say, deciding to be honest. “It was something he chose to do recently.”
Barbara’s eyes widen in surprise, and then they soften. “Therapy? Really?”
“Yes,” I say, nodding. “He’s taking it seriously. ”
She reaches across the table and takes my hand, her eyes glistening. “Thank you, Emily.”
“For what?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“For helping my son,” she says, her voice choked with emotion. “I know Andrew. He wouldn’t have agreed to this unless you encouraged him.”
I shake my head, trying to deflect the credit. “I didn’t do anything, really. He made the decision on his own.”
Barbara squeezes my hand, her grip firm. “You’re good for him. I’m hoping that this marriage can be something more, and now I’m confident that it will.”
Warmth spreads through me, and for once, I don’t try to push it away. “Me too,” I admit, the words slipping out before I can stop them.
She beams at me. “I’m so glad to hear that. And I hope to see you at the family dinner on Sunday.”
“I’d love to be there,” I say, my heart lighter than it’s been in a while.
We finish our lunch, talking and laughing, and for once, I feel like I truly belong in this family.
As I leave the restaurant and head towards my old apartment, I can’t help but think that Andrew and I do have a future together. Not just the one year stated in the contract.
I pull into the parking lot of my apartment building and spot Owen, leaning against the entrance.
“Hey, Emily,” he calls, waving me over. “I was wondering when you’d get here.”
“Sorry, I’m a little late,” I say. “I had a lunch date with my mother-in-law.” The words still sound strange coming out of my mouth, but they feel good.
Owen grins. “Hope you had fun.”
“I did,” I say, meaning it. “So, what’s this news you’ve got for me? ”
“Come inside. You’ll want to see it for yourself,” he says, pushing off the wall and leading the way into the building.
I follow him, my curiosity piqued. When we reach my apartment, he unlocks the door and gestures for me to go in first. The moment I step inside, I freeze.
The apartment is completely transformed. The tired old carpet has been replaced with sleek hardwood floors, the dingy walls are now painted a soft, inviting cream, and the kitchen is unrecognizable.
It looks like something straight out of a design magazine, with gleaming countertops, modern cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances.
“What happened here?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I take it all in. It’s like walking into a completely new space.
Owen’s grin widens. “I’ve been working with your husband. Mr. Bennett gave me firm instructions not to bother you and to deal with him. This is what we’ve done so far.
“Emily, we already have people asking when it will be ready. I predict a bidding war,” he says with a chuckle. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”
For a moment, I just stand there, stunned. Andrew did this? With his money? Without telling me? How dare he make such huge decisions without consulting me?
My shock quickly gives way to a simmering anger, but I force a smile for Owen’s sake as he starts showing me around, explaining all the improvements.
“We had the bathroom redone, too,” he says, leading me down the hallway. “New tiles, new fixtures. It’s practically spa-like now.”
I nod absently, hardly hearing him. My mind is spinning, trying to process how Andrew could make such a big decision behind my back. This is my apartment, my investment.
How could he not think I’d want to be involved?
Owen continues his tour, showing me the upgraded bedrooms and the new lighting fixtures, but I barely pay attention. All I can think about is getting out of here so I can have it out with Andrew.
By the time Owen wraps up, I’ve managed to keep my cool, but just barely. “Thank you for showing me everything, Owen. I appreciate it,” I say, my voice tight.
“No problem, Emily. Honestly, I think this place is going to sell in no time. Your husband really did a great job organizing everything.”
I nod, forcing another smile. “I’ll be in touch.”
As soon as I get back into my car, I grip the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turn white. How could Andrew do this? Did he think I wasn’t capable of handling it myself?
My phone rings jerking me out of my thoughts. Lisa’s name pops up on the screen, and I answer, putting her on speaker.
“Hey, what’s up?” she asks.
“I’m too angry to talk right now,” I snap, my voice sharp.
“Whoa, what happened?” she asks.
I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. “Andrew had the apartment renovated without telling me. Apparently, he’s been working with Owen this whole time, making all these decisions without even consulting me.”
“That’s a big deal,” Lisa says carefully. “But I’m guessing his heart was in the right place.”
“I don’t care where his heart was,” I say, my voice rising. “He had no right to do that. It’s my apartment, my decision. How could he just take over like that?”
“I get why you’re upset,” Lisa says gently. “But maybe give him a chance to explain. It sounds like he was trying to help.”
“I don’t want his help,” I mutter, but even I can hear how childish it sounds. “I can handle my own life.”
“Em, just talk to him. It’s not worth starting a war over.”
“Fine,” I say, but I don’t mean it. I’m too angry to be rational right now, and all I want to do is confront Andrew. I end the call with Lisa, my head pounding as I drive home .
When I finally walk through the door of the house, Andrew is there, sitting on the couch with a casual smile on his face. The sight of him only makes me angrier.
“Hey, you’re back early,” he says, looking up at me. “How was lunch with my mom?”
I ignore his question. “You went behind my back,” I say, my voice shaking with barely contained fury.
Andrew’s smile fades, replaced by a look of confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“The apartment,” I snap. “You had it renovated without even telling me. Do you have any idea how disrespectful that is?”
He gets up, his brow furrowing. “Emily, I was just trying to help—”
“I didn’t ask for your help,” I interrupt, my voice rising. “That’s my property, my investment, and you had no right to make decisions without me.”
“Hey, calm down. I actually thought you would be happy that someone had taken it off your plate,” he says, his tone defensive. “I know you’ve been stressed about selling it, and I wanted to make it easier for you.”
“I didn’t ask you to,” I say between gritted teeth. “You can’t just take over someone’s life under the pretext of helping. Just because we’re married doesn’t mean you get to control me.”
His eyes widen. “Control? Is that how you see it?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer and instead, turns and stalks out.
Bear and Bruno stare at me for a while and then follow Andrew up the stairs.