Chapter Twenty-Two
A fter the dance, Ms. Idelle had introduced Em to a few of her colleagues and some potential students. Then there was a sample dance class, where she, Carlos, and the other students and instructors danced with members of the audience. The dance floor was nearly full. Em looked around the space, but there was no sign of Nick.
At the end of the classes, the regular DJ took over, and people started to dance, many of them trying out some of the new steps they’d learned.
“You two were marvelous, darling. I’m so very proud of you.” Ms. Idelle hugged Emerie. “You were the star of the evening. The crowd adored you.”
“To be fair, a third of the place was probably family, friends, and neighbors,” Em said.
“Never downplay a compliment, Ms. Roberts,” Ms. Idelle said sternly. “They were impressed because your performance was outstanding. Now I think your friends are eager to see you.” The elegant grand dame of dance swept her hand in the direction of the table brimming with Em’s friends and family who looked on eagerly.
“Yes, ma’am.” Em gave them a subtle wave. Her heart was bursting with the love and support radiating from the people at that table and a sense of pride in what she’d accomplished. “I hope the night was successful.”
“It was indeed.” The older woman’s eyes twinkled. “We’ve nearly sold out the introductory class sampler passes. In fact, we might need to consider adding a class or two.” She winked. “Now go on. Celebrate the night with the people you love. And never take that privilege for granted.”
Something about Ms. Idelle’s reminder made Em’s chest tighten. She immediately glanced at the table and then at the bar. Nick wasn’t at either place.
Em swallowed back her disappointment, broadened her smile, and joined her family at the table.
“Oh my God, sweetheart! You were amazing!” Em’s mother pulled her into a bear hug, rocking her back and forth before gripping her shoulders and holding her at arm’s length. Marilyn Roberts’s eyes were filled with pride as she regarded her. “I had no idea my baby was a modern-day Josephine Baker and Ginger Rogers all rolled into one.”
Em opened her mouth to say she wouldn’t go that far, but she remembered Ms. Idelle’s admonition about not downplaying a compliment.
“Thanks, Mom. I’m glad you liked it.” Em smoothed back her hair, held in place by hairspray and countless pins, a few of which were currently digging into her scalp. “I didn’t know how you’d feel about some of the racier parts of the routine. Or my outfit…”
Em placed a hand to her bare belly, suddenly conscious of the short, flared skirt under which she wore a pair of spandex biker shorts so she wouldn’t flash the crowd during the lifts and spins.
“Those were my favorite parts.” Her mother grinned, laughing at Em’s shocked response. “What? They were really good, and you two had so much chemistry. If I didn’t know better—”
“Mom!” Em said. “No. Just… no .”
“Okay, fine.” Her mother shrugged. “That means my baby is not only a talented dancer, but you gave us a bit of theater as well.” Her mom said the words like a thespian quoting Shakespeare. Then she added a little shoulder shimmy, similar to the one Em had incorporated in her routine.
“Not bad, Mom. Maybe you should consider taking dance classes.” Em grinned.
“Girl, I already bought my introductory sampler pass. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure we don’t end up in the same class. I can’t have you interrupting my flow while I’m on the dating scene.” Her mom fluffed her hair.
Sinclair, Garrett, and Dakota laughed. Dex and Em both said, “Mom!”
“These two are no fun.” Her mother huffed. “I’m headed to the bar to get another drink.”
Em accepted hugs and congratulations from Dakota, Sinclair, Dex, and Garrett before finally dropping into one of the empty chairs. She fielded her family’s questions about the performance as she subtly glanced around the space in search of Nick.
He’d promised to be there, and she was sure she’d seen him there at the table earlier.
“Nick’s gone.” Dex leaned in closer and spoke quietly. “He left not long after your performance.”
“Oh.” She swallowed hard and folded her hands on the table. “Did he say why he left so early?”
Em tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. As if it didn’t matter to her that her best friend had bolted before talking to her. Especially given how little they’d communicated in the past few weeks. She realized that was on her, but still.
“He tried to wait for you, but he had to get to the airport,” Dex said.
“Nick’s leaving town?” Em wasn’t able to hide how startled she was by that news.
Everyone at the table turned toward her, but then Dakota asked Sin and Rett about their latest renovation project to distract the group and give her and Dex a little privacy.
Emerie could’ve kissed her sweet, thoughtful sister-in-law. She flashed her a grateful smile instead.
“Nick’s been out of town for the past week, Em. He flew in late last night so he’d be here for your performance. But he’s flying out on a red-eye so he can be at a critical meeting first thing tomorrow morning. He didn’t tell you any of this?” Dex lowered his voice.
Em shook her head, her cheeks and forehead burning. The lack of communication had been on her. Nick had tried calling and texting a few times. She’d responded with brief text messages or terse conversation and hurried off the phone because she’d either been working on a client project or headed to or from practice. But the past week, the calls and messages had become sparser. A knot formed in her stomach.
“What the hell happened with you two, Em?” Dex rubbed his chin. His dark eyes, filled with worry, studied hers.
Em shifted her gaze from Dex’s. She didn’t address her brother’s question. “Where has he been this past week?”
“Same place he’s headed now… New York.” Dex’s raised eyebrow indicated that he was keenly aware of her attempt to dodge his question. “The same place you’re supposed to be meeting him this weekend.”
Em sighed softly. The night she and Nick slept together, their planned trip to New York had seemed so far away. She was sure that this would all have blown over by then. But instead, she’d gotten a little deeper into her feelings every day. She was hurt, angry with herself for caring, and missing her best friend. She honestly hadn’t imagined that nearly four weeks later, she’d still be avoiding him.
She’d missed him by maybe thirty minutes, and she felt the loss so acutely that it caused her physical pain.
“I should call Nick.” Em stood suddenly. “To thank him for coming all this way—”
“Just for you to give him the finger but in interpretive dance?” Dex shook his head and chuckled.
“I didn’t… I mean… I wasn’t—”
“Baby Girl, that message was about as subtle as taking a sledgehammer to someone’s pinkie,” Sinclair said, then sipped more of her frozen margarita. Her Southern drawl was always a bit heavier after a couple of drinks. When everyone at the table looked at her, she shrugged. “What? We all know it’s true. Em gave ’im a lil’ somethin’ to think about. Maybe that’s just what our friend needed.”
“Amen.” Em’s mother returned to the table, raising her dirty martini in agreement with Sin.
“Okay, maybe no more to drink for either of you.” Dakota pointed a finger and gave a warning glare to her best friend and then to her mother-in-law. “And perhaps Em would rather not talk about this. At least not right now.”
Sinclair and Marilyn made sullen faces but reluctantly agreed.
Em leaned down to hug Dakota. She whispered in her ear, “That’s why you’re my favorite sister-in-law.”
“Same.” Dakota squeezed her hand. She tipped her chin in the direction of another table. “Kassie and her family have been waiting to talk to you.”
Emerie excused herself, then went over to the table where her friend Kassie and her parents were seated. All three of them stood to hug and congratulate her. Then Kassie’s parents got out onto the floor when the DJ played “Sparkle” by Cameo.
“I can’t believe how amazing you were out there tonight.” Kassie bounced on her heels and hugged Em again. “I’m so proud of you, girl.”
“Thanks, babe. Harrison isn’t here with you?” Em asked.
“Unfortunately, he had business in Atlanta this week. But he’s taking me to some new, pricey seafood restaurant this weekend.” Kassie smiled sheepishly. “Now come on. I need to show you something.”
Kassie grabbed Em’s hand and led her toward the green room. Em’s purse and her phone were still there, and she needed to call Nick.
When they stepped into the room, being guarded by one of Ms. Idelle’s grandsons, Kassandra gestured to three arrangements of flowers.
“Oh my goodness.” Em lifted a dozen red roses bound in white wrapping paper. She inhaled them, then pulled out the card. They were from her mother, Dex, Dakota, and little Olivia. She set them down, then pulled the card from a small arrangement of flowers. It was from Kassandra and her parents.
“Aww… thanks, babe.” Em hugged her friend. “They’re gorgeous.”
“Thank you. But that…” Kassie gestured to a larger arrangement of tulips, roses, peonies, and snowball viburnums in soft pink, white, and coral set in a stunning crystal vase. “That is my pièce de résistance .”
“Wow, Kassie. This arrangement is incredible.” Em inhaled the fragrant roses and vibrant tulips. “But you shouldn’t have.”
“And I didn’t,” Kassie grinned. “I mean… yes, I put the arrangement together. But they’re not from me.”
“Who are they from?” Em quickly shifted her attention to the card buried in the arrangement when her friend simply shrugged, her eyes dancing with that sweet, adorably goofy smile of hers.
Em lifted the card and read it. “To a truly incredible woman and the best friend a man could ever have. I am so damn proud of you for going after your dreams and standing up for yourself.” Em turned the card over. “I’m truly sorry I hurt you, Em. I hope you’ll still join me in New York.”
“This is Nick’s handwriting.” Em held up the card.
“I know,” Kassie said. “He insisted on coming into the shop and writing out the card himself. And he apparently had a lot to say.”
“You read it?” Em asked.
“No. But I did see him write it. It took a couple of tries to get the entire thing on one card and as neatly as he wanted it.” She grinned. “But whatever he wrote… I hope his words and the flowers helped. Because both of you have been pretty miserable these past few weeks.”
“I didn’t get to see him before he left.” Em frowned as she sat on the edge of the table.
“I know, and Nick was bummed about that, too.” Kassie parked her butt on the table beside Em and draped an arm around her waist as they leaned their heads together. “But he said he hopes you still plan to join him in New York this weekend.”
That morning, Em noted on her calendar that she only had twenty-four hours left to cancel her reservation for New York. She honestly hadn’t been sure whether she should still go. But now… she wanted nothing more than to see Nick.
She missed him, and she missed their friendship. And despite being hurt and angry, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what an amazing night they’d shared.
“New York,” Em said. “I’m leaving in two days, and I still haven’t packed. And I need to wrap up a couple of design projects before I go and let my clients know I’ll be on vacation.” Em rattled off one item after another, her brain filled with all of the things she’d been procrastinating on because she’d still been sulking and hadn’t been ready to commit to the trip with Nick.
“Relax, babe. Everything will be fine,” Kassie assured her. “Your assistant will help you with the business items, and I’ll help you get organized and packed.”
Em thanked her friend, a sense of relief settling over her. She traced the delicate, pink petals of a peony and smiled softly. Em wasn’t sure what would happen with her and Nick. But she did know that she loved him and that she wanted him as a friend, a confidant, a lover, and her everything. But if she couldn’t have it all, she would ensure that they didn’t lose their friendship. No matter what.
“I should call Nick and thank him for the flowers.” Em dug her purse out of its hiding spot and rummaged through it for her phone. “Try to catch him before he gets to the airport.”
“Then I’ll give you some privacy,” Kassie said. “Just call me when you’re ready, and I’ll help you pack up your things and transport the flowers to your car.”
By the time Em pulled out her phone, Kassie was already making her way out the door.
Emerie pulled up her list of favorites and stared at Nick’s handsome, smiling face. Her heart started racing again.
Nick had penned that incredibly sweet note and laid out a small mint for the most elaborate floral arrangement she’d ever received.
Was he still proud of her after seeing her performance that Dex had described as “the finger but in interpretive dance”? Or was he as hurt and angry as she’d been when she’d seen those text messages? Did he still want her to join him in New York?
Em sighed, her hands trembling slightly.
Of course Nick still wanted her to join him in New York. Hadn’t he asked Kassie to remind her of that after he’d seen her performance?
“Stop being a frickin’ baby, Emerie Roberts, and make the damn call,” Em whispered to herself.
She dialed Nick and put the phone to her ear, her eyes squeezed shut.
With each ring, Em’s heart thudded harder. Her body swayed the tiniest bit in response.
“Hey, beautiful.” Nick’s deep, gravelly voice sent electricity down her spine.
Em couldn’t help smiling. “You’ve never answered the phone for me like that before.”
There was a beat of silence followed by a quiet groan. “I know. But trust me, I was thinking it.”
Em nibbled on her lower lip, unsure how to respond to his admission. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry.
“Thank you for coming back here to support me. And for the lovely flowers.” Em inhaled one of the salmon-colored tulips and smiled. “This is the most gorgeous bouquet I’ve ever seen. And the card… what you said about being proud of me… it means a lot. Though, after the performance, you might be feeling a bit differently.” Em sat on the edge of the table.
“You’re right,” Nick said. “Because after that performance, I’m even prouder of you.” Em could hear the soft smile in his tone. “You are a fucking superstar, Emerie Roberts. I’ve known you most of my life, and I’ve never seen you look so confident, so happy, so determined. You shone as brightly as a thousand suns tonight. How could I not be proud of you?”
Em’s eyes pricked with tears, and her heart expanded. This was why she adored Nick and was lucky to have him as her best friend. He was her biggest supporter. Even when it didn’t align with his interests or ruffled his ego. She needed to do the same. Because no matter how everything else played out between them, he would always be her best friend.
“Thanks, Nick. I’m really proud of you, too,” she said, rather than addressing the elephant in the room—the message behind her performance. “Dex tells me that you’re in popular demand. I think he’s afraid he’s going to lose you to corporate,” she added playfully, hoping he’d deny it.
He didn’t.
The few moments of silence seemed to echo off the walls of the dark wood paneling.
“It’s been a good challenge for me,” Nick said finally. “But my brain is just about fried. So I could use a fun weekend, and I miss you like crazy, Em. You know I can’t function in the world for too long without my best friend.” He chuckled.
Best friend.
As in… Message received. Friends is all we’ll ever be, and I’m okay with that .
Em’s stomach knotted, and her chest ached.
Tonight, she’d declared that Nick needed to make a choice and stick with it. Either he was her platonic best friend or her soulmate. Friends with benefits wasn’t an option.
He’d clearly made that choice, so she needed to respect it.
“You are still coming to New York this weekend, right?” Nick was saying.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Em forced a bright smile, hoping it was reflected in her voice. “I’ll see you on Friday.”
“Great. See you on Friday.”
“Nick!”
“Yeah?”
Em opened her mouth to apologize if she’d hurt his feelings. But she thought of Ms. Idelle’s words and Sin’s. They were both right. Maybe she could’ve gotten her point across a little less dramatically. But her declaration had been a cold, hard dose of reality they both needed.
She didn’t owe anyone an apology for standing up for herself and putting her wants and needs first for a change.
Not even Nick.
“Can I bring you anything?” Em asked instead. “I could stop by your apartment if there’s anything you—”
“I’m good, Em. The only thing I need is to spend time with you. See you soon, beautiful.”
Em’s eyes drifted closed, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. She and Nick were just going to be friends. Eventually, she’d be fine with it. But for now, her heart was broken, and all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry like a baby because it seemed that Nick Washington wasn’t her soulmate after all. No matter how badly she wanted him to be.