Chapter 34
The day of the meeting arrived. It was right after work, at Anh’s offices, and Emmeline still wasn’t sure what to do.
As the time grew closer, her anxiety increased. She wanted what was best for Luke, but she also didn’t want to upset him. As she gathered her things to head out, she was still deciding what to do.
Her phone rang, and her heart lurched when she saw who it was.
“Luke,” she said, picking up.
“I’ll see you soon,” he said.
Before she could respond, he hung up. She had missed his voice. It had only been a few days, but she missed him terribly. All of him. She needed things to be okay again.
That was the simple truth.
And so, after work at Inferno, she made her way to Anh’s office. She didn’t want to upset Anh by not showing up, either. When she arrived, Luke was already there, waiting in the meeting room, and the sight of him made her catch her breath.
She hadn’t seen him for the past few days, and the sight of him now was devastating. He was so handsome. He was hers.
He glanced up, meeting her gaze, and his expression softened.
She didn’t know what to say to him, so she went and sat down across from him, pulling out her laptop.
His was already out in front of him, and Emmeline thought of all the hard work he’d done to establish his business, how this was the last chance to save it.
But then she thought about Luke, being there for her. Luke, washing her hair, his hands gentle. The way he held her in his arms, the way he kissed her and took care of her and loved her.
How angry he had been when he’d learned what she was trying to do. She loved him, but she couldn’t do anything that would make him angry with her, even if she thought that was what was best. She couldn’t risk losing him.
“Luke—” she started, but just then, the door to the meeting room opened.
Anh entered, done up perfectly as usual—though her expression was sterner than Emmeline had ever seen it.
Luke and Emmeline both stood, and Anh held up a hand, motioning for them to sit as she took the seat at the head of the table. She folded her hands over one another, looking at both of them sharply.
“What is wrong with both of you?” she asked, voice calm. Emmeline blinked. “I chose you as contenders for this project because I know you both to be intelligent and determined. Yet now both of you are trying to simply let the other win.”
“What?” Emmeline asked, gaze snapping over to Luke. “You were trying to let me win?”
His mouth fell open at her angry tone. “It’s the exact same thing you were trying to do to me!”
“That was different!” she argued.
“How?” he asked, eyes blazing. “Why is it so easy for you to be selfless but so hard to let others be selfless for you?”
She blinked, his words sinking in. Her heart softened. “But—”
“Enough!” Anh said, annoyed now. “There is a simple and obvious solution. Frankly, I cannot believe neither of you have realized it.”
“What?” Luke asked, confused.
Anh rolled her eyes. “My idea from the very beginning,” she said, impatient with them now. “I’m fond of you both, so I’ll forgive how much you’ve irritated me this past week.”
“What idea?” Emmeline asked, not catching on to what Anh was saying.
Anh released a long breath. “The two of you should consolidate your businesses into one,” she said. “Your products are similar enough, and such a step would surely increase profit margins.”
Emmeline blinked, struck by the realization. They could work together. Nobody had to lose; they could both win.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” she asked, mouth hanging open.
Anh’s lips quirked. “Because love makes you stupid.”
Emmeline looked over at Luke. “What do you think?” she asked, standing up. She walked around the meeting table. “Think we can be partners instead of rivals?”
He smiled, meeting her halfway. “I’d love to be your partner.”
Anh clapped her hands. “Wonderful!” She stood, smoothing out her skirt. “That’s settled then. You’ll both work on the coffee shop, and I’ll invest in your joint venture.”
“Wait,” Emmeline said, confused. “Don’t you want to see our plans first?”
Anh released a breath, heading for the door.
“No,” she said. “We can discuss details in another meeting. I’ve had enough of you two for this week.
” Emmeline’s cheeks warmed, and Anh gave them a final glance over her shoulder, her expression stern.
“Now make up already and kiss. You’ll be much more bearable afterwards. ”
With that final order, Anh left. Emmeline’s heartbeat quickened as she turned to Luke.
“You heard her,” she said.
He grinned and pulled her into his arms.