Chapter 9
9
E mma
“How’s everything back home?” Hazel asks on the other end of the line once she’s done telling me all the exciting things about Costa Rica and their Sugar & Silk collaboration. Seems that despite a couple of mishaps, the trip has been wonderful, and good matches will come out of it. I can’t wait to hear all about it when they’re back.
“Good. Your dad is good. He’s even sunbathed a couple of times,” I say. Rick has been a joy to be around. He socializes a bit, then goes back to figuring out new apps on his phone or throwing toys to Moonshine—who has been getting long walks daily from me, rain or shine.
In three days, Hazel and Archer are supposed to return. I’ll be leaving their house behind, along with the possibility of seeing that mountain of a man every day. I sigh. How did I get here?
Malcolm has been distracting me. I need to be on top of my game. I should look for jobs, apply online or something. I’ll never stop sketching my designs, but I need to be practical and find a way to pay the bills. Laura won’t be too excited if I fall behind when we’re roomies.
“I’m glad. I called him, and he said you’ve been wonderful, walking Moonshine a lot.”
I smile. “She’s a sweetheart.”
“He also mentioned you’ve been visiting our neighbor.”
I clear my throat. “Oh, yes. I got his mail by accident, so I went over to return it to him.” And stayed there for hours, fucking him.
“Emma, cut the crap. Are you and Malcolm hooking up?”
You have no idea . Flashes of him thrusting inside me, of us laughing in his garden, of his silly attempts to cook in his kitchen flood my mind. In only a few days, I’ve built more memories with him than with anyone I’ve dated. Is that normal? To feel this… attached to someone so quickly?
“Somewhat, yes.” I don’t want Hazel to think I’ve been irresponsible and not taken care of her home. Because I have. I prioritized spending time with the dog, checking on her dad, and getting the mail and packages. Truthfully, I’ve been more present as a house sitter than I ever was at my old job as a receptionist.
“Girl… be careful. He’s a lot.”
“In what way?”
“I don’t know. He’s very handsome and successful and the whole nine yards, but you tend to dive headfirst into things,” Hazel says, a trace of concern in her voice.
I suck in a breath. She has a point there. I can be impulsive—but my impulsivity also landed me that hot man. If I hadn’t gone topless when I knew he was looking, who knows if we’d be together now? I bite the inside of my cheek. Can’t share that nugget of information with Hazel. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”
“All right. Is the sex good?”
I withdraw. “I plead the fifth.”
She chuckles. “That good, huh?”
I usually don’t mind talking about these things, but what I share with Malcolm belongs to us only. I don’t want to put it out there in the world. I want to protect it, like a little injured baby bird that needs nourishment and attention before he can fly again.
As Hazel changes the subject, the thought deepens in my mind. Am I this worried because I’m scared if our relationship goes out in the world, it won’t survive? I hope that’s not the case. But she’s right… I need to think things through.
My phone buzzes. It’s Malcolm.
Come on over.
After I end the phone call, I look at the backyard.
Rick is in the guest house, and Moonshine is beside him on the couch as usual. I won’t be missed if I dip out for a bit, right? It’s the middle of the day, so Malcolm won’t keep me there too long. He has work to do.
I gaslight myself as I walk over to his property—he gave me the gate code, so now I can get in whenever I want. I’ll miss these perks when Hazel returns. But I made a deal with Laura, and I don’t want to impose on Hazel, especially now that she’s also in a somewhat new situation with her guy.
His front door is unlocked, and I let myself in. I shouldn’t, but I love the domesticity of it all—that alone should be a major red flag. “Hello?”
“I’m here,” he answers from the kitchen.
I follow his sexy voice to find him fumbling over a takeout brown bag and emptying the contents onto his nice dinner plates. Candles are lit, flickering in the breakfast nook. It’s so… intimate.
A silly giggle escapes my lips. “What is it?”
“Sushi.”
I realize he paid attention when I told him that was my favorite cuisine the day before.
You’re making it hard for me not to fall in love with you. I bite my tongue before I express my excitement. Emma, honey, have you learned nothing?
I stare at him, this gorgeous man in loungewear leaning against the counter. “My favorite.”
“I hope you can say that about me soon.”
Oh, if you only knew… “You’re definitely earning your spot.”
He smiles and pulls me into his arms. “Well, I’ll secure a few extra points. I have good news.”
“Yeah?” Too overwhelmed by his presence, I take a step back. Focusing on whatever news he has while being in his arms is the kind of stimuli I can’t handle right now.
A flick of amusement touches his eyes. “I snapped a few pictures of your work when you brought it over the other day and sent it to someone who works in fashion in Los Angeles.”
I shake my head, his words swimming in my brain. He’s shown someone my work? I would usually be a bit skeptical, but the hope in his eyes tells me something good is coming. I clear my throat, apprehensive. “What is it?”
“My contact forwarded it to someone who works in wedding gown design, and that person said she’d love to meet you.”
My eyes widen, and my heart races as I register his words. “Meet me ?”
“Yes. She sees potential in you, but she obviously needs to meet you and talk. Feel you out.”
The word “potential” launches a rocket in my brain. I’ve always dreamed of showcasing my talent, yes, but I never got that far. I never believed I could do it, for starters. I used small opportunities here and there to learn, but I wasn’t sure if designing would ever become a paid job. A career. “What? Okay, tell me all about it. Who’s this woman?”
“The wedding gown stylist is Anna Armand.”
Anna Armand. I’ve heard the name before. Excitement sweeps through me. She’s a respected name in the industry with a good decade of expertise. “Wow. And she’s willing to meet me. That’s generous.”
“I’d take her up on the offer if I were you.”
“OMG, yes. I’d love to. I mean, yes. But is it a virtual meeting or?—”
Malcolm tilts his head to the side. “I think she’d like you to meet her in LA. She has her business set up over there.”
“What?” I love the idea, but the reality is different. How can I afford to get there? Do I want to be irresponsible and put the money for the flight and hotel on my credit card? I don’t want to go to my parents for money. They’ll be happy to give it to me, but I don’t want to ask. My brothers are very successful, and I’ve always felt like the odd one out.
He curls a strand of my hair around his finger. “Yes. I’ll book you a flight.”
“Malcolm, wait.” I step back, breaking the contact, needing space to think things through. “I mean, don’t get me wrong… I love the idea, but I need to look at ticket prices. Realistically, I’m not in the best financial situation right now.” I’ve already put down a deposit to be Laura’s roommate, and I planned to use the house-sitting gig money to help me pay the next month’s bills until I found something else. I never thought that’d mean actually working and doing what I love.
He glances at me, furrowing his brows like he doesn’t understand my point. “Emma, this is a good opportunity for you. I’ll pay for your flight and accommodation. Happily.”
I thread my fingers, worried. “You don’t have to… I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“You’re not. I have plenty of money.”
This money would be a drop in his ocean of wealth. But it’s not about the amount or what it means to me and him. It’s about him taking the reins so quickly. What if trusting him is a mistake? What if I care more about him than he does about me? And if he changes his mind about me, then bam , I’m out on my ass again like my jerk landlord. Only this time, it would be way worse. “I know you do, but?—”
Malcolm lifts his hands in denial. “No buts. It’s my pleasure.” His tone is all cool confidence and doesn’t allow for argument.
I take a breath. Am I being paranoid?
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance , a voice inside me warns. “Okay, sure. I’ll take it. One caveat, though—I want to reimburse you as soon as I’m back on my feet.”