Chapter 35
JOELLE
We’ve been sneaking around now for weeks, and it’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. And hotter.
I wake up in Emmett's bed. Again. His arm is heavy across my waist, the city dark outside his windows.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand.
Collette: Pierre's coming over for breakfast in 20 minutes. Get home.
"Shit." I bolt upright.
Emmett groans. "What?"
"Pierre. My apartment. Twenty minutes."
He's awake instantly. "Go. I'll text you later."
I'm dressed in thirty seconds, then pull my hair into a messy bun. My shirt is somewhere on his floor, but I can't find it, so I grab one of his hoodies instead.
"That's mine," he says from the bed, smirking.
"I'll give it back."
“No, you won’t. Keep it. You look good in my clothes. I like seeing my name on your back.”
“I know.” I smirk. That was a particular fantasy we have played out.
Emmett told me he hadn’t stopped thinking about me wearing his hoodie, that he wanted to fuck me while wearing it, so he did.
Bent me over the sofa one night, lifted the shirt, it was all I was wearing, took me from behind and fucked the life out of me. Hottest thing ever.
“Let’s do it again,” I say, leaning in and giving him a quick kiss. He captures me and pulls me to him.
“Now my dick is hard.”
“Well, you’re going to have to use your hand, Captain.”
He groans. “You’re such a tease.”
I kiss him quickly, then rush out the door, running down the hallway. I slip into my apartment, wave hello to Collette, and run into my bedroom to jump in the shower quickly. I’m getting dressed when I hear Pierre’s knock at the door.
I hear Collette answer, "Pierre! Issy!"
"We were in the neighborhood getting breakfast and thought we'd stop by," I hear Pierre say.
"And I thought that maybe we could have a girls’ day. I need to find a dress for The Mavericks’ Christmas party, and I didn’t think you guys had gone shopping yet.”
My heart is still racing as I pull on jeans and a clean shirt. I check my reflection, hair damp from the shower but presentable, face flushed, but I can blame that on the hot water.
I walk out. "Hey! What's going on?"
"There you are," Issy says, pulling me into a hug, my wet hair dripping all over her.
"Sorry, just got out of the shower, early morning workout."
Collette coughs, trying to cover her laugh.
"Good for you," Pierre says cheerfully, setting a bag from the deli on the counter. "We brought bagels, your favorite."
“Yum. Thanks.” I’m starved.
“I was just saying to Lettie that if you’re up for it, I need to go shopping for a dress for the Christmas party. Harper's coming too. Girls’ shopping day?"
I hate shopping, but I hadn’t even thought about that event, I’ve been too busy wrapped up in Emmett. I want to find the sexiest but elegant evening dress I can find for the event to make sure he knows what he’s got.
“Sounds good. Is Harper coming here?" I ask. Collette gives me a strange look, she knows how much I hate shopping.
"She should be here any minute," Issy confirms. "We figured we'd make a day of it. Breakfast, shopping, maybe drinks at lunch?"
Collette smiles. "I'm in."
"Perfect!” Issy says.
There’s a knock at the door, Collette opens it. "Harper! Felix! Come in!
Harper walks in, looking glamorous despite the early hour. Felix follows, looking half-asleep but smiling, they hug everyone.
"Sorry we're late, traffic was crazy," Harper says.
We settle around the kitchen table with bagels and coffee, chit-chatting about everything and nothing.
"So, what are you boys going to do while we're shopping?" Collette asks.
Pierre shrugs. "I was thinking of knocking on Emmett's door. He's probably home, we could hang out there while you ladies shop."
My stomach drops.
"Good idea," Felix says. "We could use the simulator downstairs.”
"Perfect. Emmett loves that thing," Pierre says.
I try to keep my face neutral, even though I am panicking, trying to remember if I’ve left anything there. I need to text Emmett. Now. And warn him.
"I'm sure he'd appreciate the company." Collette chuckles.
Quickly pulling out my phone, I send Emmett a message.
Joelle: Code Red. Pierre and Felix are coming to your apartment to hang out. Make sure there are no traces of me there.
Emmett: Shit. On it.
Joelle: My bra is on your bathroom floor. My toothbrush is by your sink. I left a hair tie on your nightstand. Get rid of everything.
Emmett: Don’t worry. I’ll sort it.
Collette: Calm down. Your face is red for no reason.
I nod, put my phone away, and try to calm down. I just hope Emmett can pull this off.
Everyone keeps chatting away while they finish up their breakfasts.
"All right, ladies," Harper announces. "Let's finish up so we can get going. These dresses won't try themselves on.”
"Right," Issy agrees, standing.
Pierre kisses Issy goodbye, and Felix does the same with Harper.
"Have fun shopping," Pierre says.
“Send photos,” Felix tells Harper.
“Fuck, bro … gross.” Pierre moans.
“I didn’t ask for nudes, you perv,” Felix says, punching Pierre.
“You don’t want photos of me?” Issy asks.
“Baby, of course,” Pierre says.
“Ew, gross,” Felix says, shoving my brother, mocking him.
“I’m just going to grab my purse,” I say, leaving the two of them to bicker. Rushing back into my bedroom and grabbing my bag, I send a quick text off to Emmett.
Joelle: We are about to walk out the door.
Emmett: I’m ready.
Emmett: Also, why are they coming here?
Joelle: The girls wanted to go shopping for dresses for the Christmas party.
Emmett: Ah. Okay. Girls’ day. So, I’m on brother sitting duty.
I laugh.
Joelle: Something like that.
Emmett: Can I make a request on the dress?
Joelle: Sure.
Emmett: My tie is red so …
Joelle: Are you asking me to match you?
Emmett: Yeah.
Oh, my goodness, this is too cute.
Joelle: I’ll see what I can do.
Emmett: I mean, a photo would be nice.
Joelle: You will be with my brothers.
Emmett: Shit. Yeah. Take photos, save them and show me later.
Joelle: Okay. Got to go.
“Jo, are you ready?” Collette calls out.
“On my way,” I call back.
I follow the guys down the hall, they are still bickering about something as they knock on Emmett’s door. He opens it, and he’s dressed in only low-slung gray sweats, my mouth waters. Is he trying to kill me?
“Morning, fellas, to what do I owe the pleasure?” he says as he looks over the crowd surrounding his front door. Those stormy green eyes land on me, and my body breaks out into goosebumps.
“The girls are going shopping, so we thought we would bother you,” Felix says.
“Of course, anytime,” he says. “I was going to catch up with Sully and the guys anyway for brunch, if you’re interested.”
“Are we day drinking?” Pierre asks.
“Yeah,” Emmett answers.
“If the Cap says so.” He chuckles.
“Right, well, now that’s settled, have fun, boys,” Harper says as we wave them all goodbye. I turn back and see Emmett closing the door. He looks up and winks at me before closing it.
We're in the third boutique when I find it. A red dress. Deep crimson. It hugs in all the right places and has a neckline that dips just low enough to be interesting without being inappropriate for a work event. The fabric is luxurious. Sophisticated. Sexy. Perfect to match Emmett's tie.
"That's the one," Issy says immediately. "You look stunning."
"Spin," Collette commands.
I do a little turn, and the skirt flares slightly.
"Oh, he's going to die," Harper says.
I freeze. "What?"
"I said the guys are going to love it." She's looking at me strangely. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Fine. Just ... hot in here."
"Try on the black one too," Issy suggests.
I disappear back into the dressing room. My heart is racing. Did Harper say Emmett? Or did I mishear?
When I come back out in the red dress, Harper is studying me. Really studying me.
"Come here," she says. "Your necklace is twisted."
I walk over, and she reaches for my neck to fix the chain. Then she stops, her fingers hovering near my collarbone.
"Jo," she says quietly. "Is that a hickey?"
My blood turns to ice. "What? No. I ... burned myself with my curling iron."
"On the side of your neck?" Harper raises an eyebrow. "That's a very specific place to burn yourself."
Issy looks over. "Let me see."
"It's nothing," I say, trying to hide it.
But Issy is already there, examining. "That's definitely a hickey."
Collette appears beside them. "Oh shit."
"You're seeing someone!" Issy's face lights up. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"I'm not …"
"Jo, we can literally see the evidence on your neck," Issy asks. "Who is he?"
"Nobody. It's nothing. Can we just …"
"Is it serious?" Issy asks. "Do we know him?"
My throat is tight. I can't breathe. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this. Not yet.
"Ladies," Harper says, noticing my panic. "I’m thirsty. Let’s get her out of this dress and head to my bar.”
That sounds perfect. Ten minutes later, we are walking into the hotel lobby and being treated like royalty. That’s when I realize it’s one of Harper’s family’s hotels. We are ushered into a private room, away from prying eyes. Harper orders a bottle of champagne for the table.
"Jo," Issy says gently. "I’m sorry about earlier. You don't have to tell us anything you don't want to."
"But if you're seeing someone," Harper adds, "we're happy for you. We just want to make sure you're okay."
"You've been different lately," Issy continues. "Happier. Glowing. We thought maybe it was just work going well, but ..."
My heart is beating wildly out of my chest, I’m in a blind panic, but thankfully, the bottle of champagne comes out, and I don’t have to answer the question the girls have. I watch the waiter pour my glass of champagne, and I instantly throw half of the glass back. Harper raises a brow at me.
“Jo,” Collette gasps.
“Is everything okay?” Issy asks.
I nod. What am I supposed to say? I have to say something because they are not going to give this up. I take a shaky breath. "I'm seeing someone, and it's ... complicated."