CHAPTER TWELVE

Emery

I woke up Saturday morning after sleeping in a bit. I’d packed some clothes for seeing Mom last night before passing out. I was tired from work this week as well as thinking about Sebastian so much.

I wish that I’d asked for his number now. He didn’t ask for mine, either.

I showered and got dressed in some worn jeans and a long sleeved green Henley for the visit. Though I rarely drove here in the city, Phil had given me Mom’s five-year-old Range Rover when he’d bought her the new model. It was too nice for me but who was I to say no? I drove it during times like this.

I grabbed my duffel and headed to the curb where the car was parked. It was secured with an alarm just in case someone tried to steal it, but Mom didn’t get the best model. It was good enough to have fun driving it, but I didn’t think anyone would want to break into it. I tossed the bag into the back and started the engine, giving it time to warm up. I turned on my Bluetooth to play Spotify for the drive as I waited, sipping my coffee before securing it in the cup holder.

I looked in the mirror, making sure the road was clear before I pulled out. I headed to the freeway and got on for the couple of hours of driving. I always took it as a time to relax and just sing along to music. I enjoyed driving when I could find a reason to do so.

I pulled into the gated community and waved at Graham at the security gate. He opened it up for me and I drove deep into the neighborhood to pull up to yet another gate around the house. I secretly wondered if Phil was part of the mob sometimes. I pulled up to the entrance, knowing that there was a camera. The gate opened, and I pulled in, parking near the garage and getting out as I looked at the brick mansion. It was huge, with ten bedrooms and a finished basement that served as a game room. The kitchen was amazing, but Mom wasn’t much of a cook, so the chef was the one that used it most of the time.

I sighed, thinking of my upcoming move. It was only temporary until I found a place of my own in Boston once I was settled at the job, but I’d miss my tiny apartment in New York. I’d miss New York… a lot. I slung my purse over my shoulder and walked to the front door, pushing the button that would send the melodious sound of the bell through the entire house.

“Emery!” I jumped at the sound of my mom’s happy voice and looked at her. “It’s so good to see you.” She pulled me into a tight hug and I wrapped my arms around her, smiling. I looked a lot like her with the same hair and eyes. I was built like my father’s family and sometimes cursed the genes that gave me the extra weight.

“Hi, Mom. How are you?” I asked her as we pulled apart and looked at one another. She looked happy. Phil was a billionaire as far as I knew, and he took good care of her. He worked at the physical therapy offices that he’d started years ago sometimes even though he was a few years past retirement age. Phil was active, and he kept my mother the same way. I looked her over and wondered if she wasn’t too skinny as I heard Phil’s booming voice.

“Emery. How are you?” I hugged her new husband of two weeks and smiled. It was the first marriage since Dad died, which was good. It still hurt that he was gone for me.

“I’m great, Phil. How about you?” I asked him as I smiled into his warm brown eyes. I wasn’t totally comfortable around him yet since I’d only met him a month ago in New York. It was a whirlwind relationship, but Mom’s eyes were shining with something that looked like love as she gazed at Phil.

We made our way inside of the house and I dropped my purse off in the first guest bedroom. Everything was clean here to a fault, and I wondered how often the maid had to pick up. I was sure that Mom had to be bustling around doing some work and I had a hard time picturing how to keep this place clean. I wandered to the kitchen where they were getting drinks for all of us to sit down and catch up and I inhaled the smell of lasagna with a smile.

Their chef was amazing. I couldn’t wait to eat.

We took seats at the table that overlooked the backyard and Mom started to talk about the move. I smiled and nodded in all the right places, uncomfortable with the fact that Phil was doing me so many favors. I’d gotten the impression that he’d do more financially for me and blushed as I remembered what I did most recently for money. They would both kill me, and I sipped my iced tea, bowing my head while I regained my composure. She told he how much fun we’d have on girl’s day and that she was looking forward to it.

Phil was beaming at Mom and I quietly observed him as I took another drink. The chef walked in and checked the oven, telling us that dinner would be ready in about an hour. Lucy was nice, and I smiled gratefully at her.

“Did you bring a bag?” Mom asked as I looked back at her. I hadn’t, planning to go home tonight. I needed to get as much of New York as I could. I hated admitting that I was hoping to run into Sebastian over the next few days, but I knew that was a bad idea.

“No, I forgot it at home in my rush to leave the city.” I lied, watching her face fall. “I am moving here, Mom. Don’t look so sad.”

Just before dinner, I went to wash my hands and freshen up. I was nervous today. I kept thinking about Sebastian and what Mom would think of me if she knew. She was always proud of the fact that I was saving myself for the right man. Mom always told me how rare that was now. She’d hate me for essentially selling my body even if it was for charity. I looked in the mirror and ran a hand through my waves with a sigh.

I left the bathroom and headed to the kitchen as I heard the doorbell. I told them that I’d get it and walked into the foyer, turning the knob, and opening the door. I had no idea who to expect and smiled as I looked out. My face fell, and I gripped the door frame tightly, so much so that my knuckles turned white.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered as Sebastian’s face showed the same shock that I was feeling. He dropped the bag that he was carrying, and pain crossed through his eyes. “How did you find me?”

“I didn’t,” he said as we both heard voices.

“Sebastian! You’re here just in time for dinner.” Phil said as Sebastian looked at him. “I see you met Emery. She’s your new stepsister.”

I backed up as horror filled me. I bumped into someone before turning to run back to the bathroom, closing and locking the door. How the fuck was it Sebastian that showed up here? Out of all the men in New York, he had to be the one at the auction that night. I slipped to the floor and sucked in my breath, knowing that I had to go out there and act normal.

How was I going to pretend that everything was okay? Judging from Sebastian’s face, he wasn’t going to have an easy time of it, either.

I stood up slowly and splashed cold water on my face. I patted it dry and searched my face to see if I could hide the emotions that I was feeling. I made up a quick story as I left the room and headed to the dining room to join everyone. Phil and Mom were sitting beside one another, leaving me to sit across from her and next to Sebastian. I settled in my seat as Mom looked at me with worry in her eyes.

“Are you okay, Emery?” Her voice was sweet, and I smiled weakly.

“I’m fine. I felt sick for a moment is all.” I shrugged. “It passed.”

I glanced at Sebastian, noting the scruff on his face that made him look rugged. He met my eyes, and I looked away immediately as Mom asked me if I wanted something to drink.

“I’ll get some water,” I told her as I stood and headed to the kitchen for a much-needed break. I looked at the bottle of wine sitting on the counter, wanting to drink it all. I settled for water, knowing that drinking wine after feeling sick would be ridiculous. I carried the glass back in and sat down as everyone started serving themselves the gooey, steaming lasagna. I knew that eating this might be weird as well. I had been starving before seeing Sebastian and I smiled as he offered to get me a piece.

Phil talked to his son as we ate, and I sensed that they weren’t all that close. I learned that Sebastian was three years older than I was and worked as an ad agency in the city. It was a successful one, and I glanced at Phil as they caught up, wondering why his son worked. He had money from all the evidence that I’d seen. He spent seventy thousand dollars on me and his house was amazing.

Sebastian drank a beer as he ate, and I wondered if I was the only one that noticed the way he finished it quickly. He seemed uncomfortable here, and I wondered if it was me or Phil that caused it as I picked at my dinner. Mom asked him some questions, and he answered her without looking at either of us.

This was bad. I saw my mom looking at the food left on my plate as we finished dinner, frowning at me. I helped clear the table as we all turned down dessert, needing to be away from the situation. Mom reminded me that they had someone to take care of that and I smiled, assuring her that I didn’t mind. The hot and cool water brought me back to the moment as I blinked and took a deep breath. I felt someone behind me and his scent filled the room, making me grip the counter.

“What are the fucking chances?” Sebastian murmured as he opened the fridge for another beer.

“I didn’t know. I knew so little about you,” I whispered as I kept staring forward.

“I didn’t even know how old you are. I didn’t think… I was more nervous about seeing Dad tonight. I never expected to see you again.” Sebastian told me as I closed my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, refusing to look behind me.