Chapter 27 Andrew
“It’s a good location,” I say, glancing around the space. It’s spacious, with high ceilings and lots of natural light streaming through the large windows. I can see why Jack is interested.
“And the rent is good,” Jack says.
I look over at him, and the idea that’s been sitting in the back of my mind all week pushes forward. “I’ve been giving it some thought, and if you need an influx of capital, I’d be happy to come in as an investor.”
Jack blinks, clearly caught off guard. “Really?”
“Yeah,” I say, shrugging. “You’ve got a solid plan here, and I believe in you. Besides, it’s a smart investment.”
Jack’s face softens, and for a moment, he looks like he’s struggling to find the right words. “Thanks, man. That means a lot. I’ll take you up on that offer. Actually, Sarah told me I should ask you, but I didn’t want to overstep or put you in a spot.”
“We’re friends,” I say, clapping him on the back. “You could have asked.”
“Thanks, Andrew,” Jack says, and I can see he’s genuinely moved.
I take a breath, deciding this is as good a time as any. “Listen, I need to run something by you.”
“Sure, what’s up?” Jack says, giving me his full attention.
“It’s about Emily,” I begin, and just saying her name out loud makes my chest tighten. “I did something that I thought was the right thing, but it backfired.”
Jack’s eyebrows raise slightly, but he waits for me to continue.
“I had her apartment renovated,” I say. “She’s trying to sell it and it wasn’t moving, so I figured sprucing it up would help. I worked with her realtor and made sure everything was handled. I thought she’d be happy, but she was pissed.”
I’ve never seen Emily so angry. But then I was angry too. I’d been expecting hugs and gratitude, instead, I got an angry tiger .
Jack winces, like he’s feeling the sting for me. “Yeah, I can see how that might not go over well.”
“I don’t get it,” I say, frustration creeping into my voice. “I was trying to make things easier for her, and instead, she accused me of going behind her back. Apparently, I disrespected her by not consulting her.”
Jack rubs the back of his neck. “I can understand why you thought it was a good idea. You were just trying to help, right? But I can also see why she might be upset. It’s her property. Even if your intentions were good, she probably feels like you took over.”
“That’s exactly what she said,” I admit. “And now, things are weird between us. I hate it.”
Jack studies me for a moment. “Have you talked to her since?”
“No, not really,” I say. “We had a blowout, and I walked away. I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Well,” Jack says, leaning against the wall, “You could start by apologizing. Not for helping, but for not including her in the process. Make it clear that you didn’t mean to undermine her, but you see now how it might have come across that way.”
I sigh. “Yeah, I guess I could have handled it better. But I just wanted to take something off her plate, you know? She’s been under so much pressure, and I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“I get it, man,” Jack says. “But Emily’s independent. She’s used to handling things on her own, and she’s proud of that. You have to respect that, even if you’re trying to lighten her load.”
I nod, letting Jack’s words sink in. “I didn’t think about it that way.”
“Look,” Jack says, “The fact that you care enough to want to help her shows a lot. But sometimes, helping means stepping back and letting her handle things her way.”
“You sound like a damn therapist,” I say, half-smiling.
Jack laughs. “Hey, you’re not the only one with problems. I had to learn that with Sarah. She doesn’t want me swooping in and fixing everything. She wants a partner. ”
We step out of the office into the quiet street.
“What are you up to? Sarah’s going to visit her parents and I’m at loose ends,” Jack says.
I glance at my watch, “Sorry, can’t help. Emily and I going for lunch at my parents’ house.”
As I drive back home, I can’t help but replay Emily’s response from earlier. I texted her to let he know that I was meeting with Jack and would pick her up in time for lunch at my parents’ house.
Her response – okay.
No smiley face, no extra words, just a flat, one-word reply. It’s been eating at me ever since I got it.
I pull into the driveway and cut the engine, taking a moment before heading inside. I haven’t seen her all morning, and I’m not sure what to expect. Has she been busy? Upset?
When I walk through the front door, I find her in the living room, adjusting the strap of her handbag. She looks beautiful, like always, but there’s a slight tension in her shoulders, and she doesn’t meet my eyes right away.
“Hey,” I say, walking over to her. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” she says, giving me a small smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “All set.”
Outside, I open the passenger door for her and she slides in, a whiff of her lavender scent teases my nostrils, making me want to reach for her.
I can’t stand this distance between us.
“Hey, I’m sorry,” I say when I enter the driver’s seat.
She turns to look at me.
Taking a deep breath, I continue. “I shouldn’t have made those decisions about your apartment without talking to you first,” I say. “I thought I was helping, but I can see now that I overstepped. I’m sorry, Emily. ”
She blinks, surprised. “You really should have asked me. Those were huge decisions and I would have wanted to be a part of it. I don’t like being kept in the dark. We’re a team.”
“I know,” I say, fighting the urge to go into defensive mode. “I was wrong, and I’m sorry. I just wanted to make things easier for you.”
Emily sighs. “I know and I’m sorry I got so mad. We should have sat down and had a rational discussion.”
Relief surges through me.
She grins at me. “Friends?”
I lean forward and do what I’ve been aching to do. I kiss her softly, reveling in her soft lips and the heat in her mouth. God, she tastes good.
“How about we skip that lunch, go back into the house and turn off our phones,” I tease.
“Yeah, right,” Emily says. “Your mother will kill me.”
I take her hand and keep it in mine the whole way to my parent’s house. Every so often, I steal glances at Emily, catching the way her lips curve into a soft smile or how she absentmindedly brushes her hair back.
Every little thing about her fascinates me. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before.
When we finally pull up to my parents' house, I park the car and turn to her. “I know I messed up with the apartment, but I want to make it right. I want to be better at this, at us. So, no more secrets, no more decisions without talking to each other first.”
Emily’s eyes search mine, and there’s a flicker of an emotion I can’t identify, then she nods.
I lift her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles, not caring who might see us from the windows. “Deal?”
She smiles. “Deal.”
As usual, Sunday lunch is set up in the backyard. The sun filters through the leaves, casting dappled light over the long table covered in crisp white linen .
The staff move around efficiently, setting down platters of food and ensuring everything is perfect. Mom is arranging the final touches, while Dad leans back in his chair, sipping a drink, looking relaxed.
My eyes narrow when I spot another figure lounging at the table, casually sipping from a glass. Daniel. What the hell is he doing here?
I tense up, my hold on Emily's hand tightening. She glances up at me, sensing the shift in my mood, but I force a smile to reassure her. I don’t want her to know just how much seeing Daniel throws me off.
We walk up to the table, and my mom turns around, her face lighting up when she sees us. “Andrew, Emily. So glad you made it.”
“Hi, Barbara,” Emily says warmly, letting go of my hand to give my mom a hug.
“Hi, sweetheart,” my mom says to her.
Daniel looks up from his drink, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Hey, big brother,” he says, leaning back in his chair as if he owns the place. “Long time no see.”
“Daniel,” I say, my tone clipped. “Didn’t know you’d be here.”
He shrugs, a lazy smile on his face. “Decided to surprise everyone. Mom seemed happy enough.”
I glance at my mom, and she’s avoiding my gaze, busying herself with arranging the napkins. I exchange a handshake with my father.
I grit my teeth, but before I can say anything, Emily steps forward and offers Daniel a friendly smile. “Hi, Daniel.”
“Emily,” he says, his eyes flicking to our joined hands. “You look radiant.” The way he says it, with that slight smirk, sends a wave of irritation through me.
I pull Emily closer, slipping an arm around her waist. “She's always radiant,” I say, my voice hardening slightly. “Shall we sit?”
We settle down at the table, and I keep Emily close. Daniel’s presence hangs over the meal like a dark cloud, and I can feel his eyes on us, observing, assessing .
It sets me on edge, but I do my best to ignore him, focusing on Emily and the warmth of her presence beside me.
“So, Emily,” Daniel says after a while, his voice casual. “How’s married life treating you? Andrew being the perfect husband?”
Emily tenses and I know she’s trying to navigate this without making things worse. “He’s been wonderful,” she says smoothly, squeezing my hand under the table. “I couldn’t ask for more.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear,” Daniel says, and there’s a mocking glint in his eyes. “I always wondered if Andrew had it in him to be domesticated.”
A flash of anger runs through me, but Emily’s hand in mine keeps me grounded.
Lunch continues, and the conversation shifts. Dad turns to us, a rare smile on his face. “Andrew, Emily, I wanted to say how impressed I am with the work at the Riviera Army Base. When are you planning the launch?”
I allow Emily to answer.
“We’re aiming for next month,” she says. “Everything’s coming together, and the marketing team is doing a great job of building up anticipation.”
“That’s wonderful,” Dad says, nodding approvingly.
Emily smiles, clearly pleased by the acknowledgment. “We’ve had a great team helping us.”
“Emily, would you mind if we had a word?” Daniel says, cutting into the conversation.
My body goes rigid. What the hell does he want to talk to her about? I glance at Emily, ready to intervene if she looks the slightest bit uncomfortable.
“Of course, Daniel,” she says.
They step a few paces away, still within view, and I watch as Daniel leans in, standing too close for my liking .
My fists clench under the table, and I have to resist the urge to go over there and pull her back to me. I’ve seen Daniel work his charm, and I don’t trust him, not for a second.
But then Emily flashes me a quick, loving look and smile that instantly puts me at ease. It’s a silent reassurance and it calms the storm brewing inside me.