Chapter 12
It had been almost a month since Nora stormed out of the bakery and more importantly since the day Abdul had tried to confess his love to Emily. He’d said as much as he could to her without leaving his heart lying on the floor. He’d wanted her to know how he’d felt, but not at the expense of hurting Emily. After all he was still getting married and the date was quickly approaching. Nora had been hard to calm down but he reminded her that it was still his money and they weren’t married yet. He was a business man and he could invest as he saw fit. He could tell his stern way with her made her blood boil but he had no intention of backing out of his deal with Emily.
That argument was much easier to calm than the argument that they were still having about where they would live. She was still insisting on moving and Abdul was still insisting on staying. Unfortunately their stubborn ways were not allowing for either to give even one inch toward the other so they continued to fight. It would be a much easier life if the bride and groom were getting along instead of fighting all of the time, yet that’s all they seemed to do. Every time they spoke he just wished she would call off the wedding. He couldn’t imagine what life was going to be like if this was the way they were going into it.
Of course a large part of him wished she’d call it off for the sheer fact of him being in love with Emily. He wished every night that he could just tell her he loved her, kiss her perfect lips, and never let her go again. A feeling inside of him told him that Nora knew how he felt and wondered if that’s why she was holding on so tightly. As a woman who didn’t like to lose, he knew she would hate to have to admit losing her pending marriage to mild little Emily. Oh but he had learned that Emily was anything but mild. Through his business wheeling and dealing he saw exactly how feisty she could get and he loved it.
Sometimes she would argue with him, about advertising ideas or the location, and sometimes she would argue with realtors or vendors about what she needed. But when she got the fire inside of her he couldn’t help but smirk a little as he thought about how cute she was. She always thought he was being smug but the truth was, when she got angry her nose scrunched up and made the cutest face that he couldn’t resist her. They kept their relationship mainly professional, and as often as she could she would put Kara on the case to talk with him. They hadn’t at all discussed either of their feelings, though they both knew them loud and clear.
A call jingled in his pocket while he was at work and he quick checked the number. It was the realtor that they were using to find a location for the new bakery. His slid his finger across the accept button to answer the call. His realtor quickly explained that there was a brand new location for sale and if they wanted to take a look they should jump quickly due to its excellent location. Abdul hung up and called Emily, hoping she wasn’t too busy to meet him there. Fortunately she said that Kara was in and she could take a second to check it out.
When they met his eyes always took her in quickly, never able to get enough of her natural beauty. She smiled easily at him and his heart jumped.
“This is a great location,” she told him. He had to agree, this spot would be ideal to have a bakery and he hoped that maybe their searching was over.
The inside was non-descript but Abdul watched as Emily’s eyes lit up as she spoke of the possibilities the place held. She talked about décor and paint schemes, how they would set up the dessert counter and the way she would display the menu. He loved watching her when her passion came through with so much enthusiasm and light.
“I’m going to check the kitchen,” she said excitedly.
He followed her to the back where he watched her eyes light with joy. As she walked from place to place, he could see her baking here and he knew she could see it too. He didn’t even need to ask because her face told him everything but he did anyway.
“Should we take it?” He was leaning against the side of the doorframe, his arms crossed in front of him. He always found it easier to keep his arms busy when he was around her, less likely that he would succumb to the urge to wrap them around her.
Emily turned to him, her eyes bright with possibilities. “Let’s do it!” she said and threw her arms around his neck in a celebratory hug.
When she pulled back from him, he couldn’t resist a moment longer. His lips found hers and he could feel his entire body shake with so many feelings it was hard to contain. He’d been holding back for so long that everything came surging from him at once. But she pulled away.
Tears welled in her eyes and she took a couple steps away from him.
“I can’t. You’re getting married, it isn’t right.” She was shaking and he wanted more than anything to make things better.
“But I lo….”
“Please don’t. I can’t handle you telling me how you feel and then not being able to have you. It’s too much. I’ll call the realtor and sign the papers to buy the place tonight. I’ll get them to you tomorrow and then you can’t start working with Kara. I’m sorry.”
She rushed away from him with her heart on her sleeve and he felt his world crumble around him.