Chapter Twenty-Five
E m grabbed two glasses, then strutted back toward the bed. She was wearing Nick’s black T-shirt and her most scandalous pair of panties: a crotchless number Sinclair had sent her as a gift with a note that said, “Guaranteed to snag that boneheaded man of yours.” Emerie chuckled to herself and shook her head.
She hadn’t needed the underwear to snag Nick. He was already hers. She just hadn’t realized it. Still, it had been nice seeing his reaction to them… and to the toy she’d packed in her luggage.
“What’s so funny?” Nick tilted his head as he assessed her.
“Nothing. It’s just something Sinclair said.” Em shrugged, being careful not to jostle their makeshift picnic in bed as she climbed onto it and folded her legs. She picked up a catfish strip, dipped it into the chipotle sauce, then took a bite.
She murmured quietly. The food from Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem was as good as advertised. Thank goodness they were able to have their meal delivered because neither of them had wanted to leave the bed they’d been sharing all evening.
“Sinclair, huh?” One side of Nick’s sensual mouth curved in a smirk that made her tummy flutter. He picked up one of the dry rub wings and nibbled on it, his mischievous, dark eyes never leaving hers. “Do I even want to know?”
“Probably not.” Em grinned, finishing the last of her catfish strip. “But from here on out, I want us to be open and honest with each other about everything. So I should probably tell you that the reason my room wasn’t ready is because I canceled it.”
“Oh, really?” Nick laughed. “And what exactly was your plan?”
“To tell you how I felt and hope you felt the same way.”
Nick’s expression was a mixture of pride and amusement. “And what if I hadn’t?”
“I planned to have the most amazing fuck buddy weekend of my life. Then we’d figure out how to go back to being friends.”
“Well, it’s a good thing we don’t have to choose. We get to do both.” Nick captured her mouth in a kiss before pulling away. His expression was suddenly somber. “But there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Okay.” Uneasiness lodged in the pit of Em’s stomach like a boulder. “What is it?”
“I’ve been offered a promotion in the company.”
“Nick, that’s great.” Em hugged him, trying not to disturb their dwindling buffet. But when she studied Nick’s face, he seemed perturbed. She already anticipated what he’d say next.
“The position is based out of the corporate office here in New York.”
It felt as if someone had sucked every ounce of air from the room.
“Congratulations, Nick.” Emerie forced a smile, despite the tightness in her chest. She was terrified of what the promotion would mean for their new relationship status. But she would always be his best friend and would cheer him on first and foremost. “I guess Dex was right to worry that he’d lose you to corporate.”
“It’s a great opportunity and a challenge I think I’d enjoy. But you and I have finally figured out that we should be together, Em. There’s no way I’m picking up and leaving without you.” He kissed her again. “I meant it when I said I want to build a life with you. Whether it’s here in New York or back on Holly Grove Island… that’s up to you. Because now that we’ve finally got it right, I’m not walking away. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work—even if it means saying no to this opportunity. It’s not like others won’t come along.”
Emerie’s heart was racing, and everything felt like a blur.
She was thrilled about her friend’s career accomplishment. Devastated by the thought of losing him again. Overjoyed that he’d made her a central part of his decision-making. Overwhelmed by the idea of uprooting and leaving her friends and family behind to move to New York.
“What is it that you want, Nick?” Em tightened her grip on his hand. “Do you want to move to New York?”
“I love New York.”
“I know.” Em’s gut tightened in a knot.
“But there was a reason I returned to Holly Grove Island. I missed you, but I also missed being home. Missed the Salt Life and the slower pace. The calm and peace of the island.” Nick’s gaze was on their joined hands.
“Then maybe you don’t have to choose,” Em said.
“What do you mean?” Nick’s brows furrowed.
“Why can’t you take on this new job while still based at the resort on Holly Grove Island? I remember Dex mentioning a few of the execs he’s dealt with are based at their original resort sites rather than at the corporate office.” She shrugged. “Why can’t you propose the same thing? And whenever it is truly necessary to be here in person, you can hop on a plane.”
The idea had come to Em suddenly. But now that it had, it felt like the perfect compromise.
“The guy I’d be reporting to is old school. He isn’t a huge fan of remote work.” Nick rubbed his chin, but she could see the wheels turning in his head.
“You wouldn’t be working remotely,” Em reminded him. “You’d just be based at a different location. Besides, didn’t you say that he brought you onto the team because he wanted people who had their fingers on the pulse of the changing needs of resort guests? Well, beach resort guests’ needs are dynamic and constantly shifting. You’ll lose that edge if you move to some glass tower at the corporate office.”
“True.” Nick nodded. “I wonder if Jeff would go for it.”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Em grinned broadly. “Give me an hour, and I can put together an impressive PowerPoint presentation that you can present to him on Monday.”
“Thanks.” Nick grabbed her hand before she could climb out of bed. “But the PowerPoint won’t be necessary. Besides, I can think of much better ways for us to spend the weekend.” He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her.
In that moment, nothing else mattered. Because whether they stayed on Holly Grove Island or moved to New York together, Nick would always be her best friend and her soulmate. And she would be his.