CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Trevor

I stepped outside of her door and stood there after it shut. Emma was holding back, and I didn’t know why. But I knew if I’d pushed it, I’d chance losing what friendship we’d started. So, I’d continue to settle for baby steps.

Seeing her so emotional over Rufus had peeled back a layer, but I would bet anything that by tomorrow the layer would be back, with five others piled high on top of it, to ensure I didn’t get that glimpse again. I was intrigued and wanted to find out what was under the armor. What made her tick. What put a smile on her beautiful face. And most of all, what she was so scared of. My sister had mentioned she thought someone had hurt Emma, so perhaps that was it.

The next morning at the Dallas airport, I boarded the Stone Company’s private jet along with Simon and Emma. She said hello and I did the same, but I allowed her space during the flight to New York by engaging with Simon and keeping my distance.

The last thing I wanted was for her to be tense, thinking I might bring up yesterday. Because I wouldn’t. Instead, I spent every minute on my presentation, listening to the feedback Simon gave me. Luckily, he too agreed Big Town Fantasy Sports was a worthwhile investment, but making the case to Phillip needed more substantiation. Thankfully, I’d brought my laptop, so I could make the necessary changes in the presentation. Simon appeared impressed with what I put together.

I might be easygoing, but I wasn’t above needing validation that I was doing okay in this new role. Especially since I was filling some big shoes. Simon seemed to have a natural ability to look at a company and shake out all of the pros and cons.

After we landed, Emma and I checked into a hotel in Manhattan while Simon opted to stay in his apartment. I’d been shocked to learn Emma didn’t have a place here in the city, but it made my planned surprise easier to pull off.

I went downstairs to accept my expected delivery and then sent it up with the concierge. I hoped my gesture wouldn’t make her uncomfortable. After I returned to my room, it wasn’t long before I heard the knock. Smiling, I went to the door and answered it to her beautiful face. I noticed she was dressed down from what she’d been wearing on the plane, now in jeans and a blouse with her hair up in a ponytail.

Once again, my cock wasn’t getting the friend memo as he, too, took notice of how sexy she looked.

She was holding up a Neiman Marcus garment bag and a box of shoes. “You did this?”

I had indeed. Using Avery’s help over the phone last night, I’d purchased a Burberry rain jacket, an Armani dress in black, and black fuck-me Louboutins, all resembling the clothes that had been ruined. Although my sister had suggested purchasing lingerie, I knew that would push things too far.

“Technically, they’re from Rufus as an apology, but since he couldn’t qualify for an Amex card, I footed the bill.”

She was chewing her bottom lip. I noticed she did this when she was caught off guard and was growing to find it adorable.

“You didn’t have to. The shoes were mostly salvageable.”

“Then you now have two pair, or you can exchange this set for another color. I hope everything fits. I took the liberty of calling my sister to get your size. She remembered from shopping with you last week.”

Emma’s cheeks turned pink. “It was very thoughtful and unexpected of you. Um, I guess I’ll see you at dinner later, then.”

“Sure. See you there, Emma.”

I enjoyed the way her cheeks turned even pinker at the sound of her name on my lips.

***

I could tell Emma was ecstatic to be back in New York by the way her eyes sparkled when we sat down to dinner that night. I was thrilled to see she was wearing the black dress I’d bought her with the sexy shoes to go with it. The Burberry jacket completed the look. She was beautiful. Then again, she could have been wearing a plastic bag and flip-flops and had the same effect on me.

As soon as we took our seats to await Simon, I whispered, “You look nice.”

She flashed me a small smile which made my heart beat overdrive. Although we were seated across the table from one another, I could feel a magnetic force drawing me to her. For a moment, I forgot I’d sworn to settle for friendship. But the next moment felt as though ice water got splashed between us. That’s when a stranger showed up with Simon. Emma immediately tensed up while our boss introduced him.

“Trevor, this is Tom Sanders, our accountant on the team. Tom, this is Trevor Newhall.”

I stood up and shook the hand of the unexpected guest. With his expensive suit, slicked-back hair, and smirk, he reminded me of an eighties throwback to Wall Street. “Nice to meet you, Tom.”

“You, too. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your father a few times. He’s quite the success story for you to follow.”

If it was a dig, I couldn’t tell. Frankly I’d heard enough similar remarks over the years I wasn’t affected any more. Yes. My father had money. Yes, my father had started a very successful business. Yes, I had an advantage. But it didn’t mean I was above working hard or being my own man.

When we took our seats, I glanced over to witness a nonverbal exchange between Emma and Simon.

She fixed him with a glare which basically said what the fuck is he doing here?

He gave one back which seemed to say don’t start.

Tom didn’t waste any time addressing her. “Emma, how nice to see you. New York certainly suits you.”

She fake smiled. “Most of it does. How unexpected to have you join us.”

“Couldn’t miss meeting the newest addition.” He glanced towards me. “Unfortunately, Phillip was tied up tonight, but we have him for the meeting tomorrow and then dinner. In that case, it’ll only be us menfolk.”

If the comment bothered Emma, she didn’t let it show. Instead, she merely sipped her wine. I instantly wondered if he had an issue with women in general or just her.

Tom and Simon ordered their drinks, and then Tom turned towards me. “So, tell me, Trevor, about your experience or lack thereof in acquisitions.”

I raised my brow at his statement but was comfortable enough in my own skin that his passive-aggressive comments didn’t make me feel insecure.

The remainder of the dinner was awkward, for lack of a better word. Simon tried to mitigate and put up a team-like front, but it was clear Tom upset the vibe at the table. His reputation for being an asshole appeared well earned. Nor did I care for the dismissive way he treated the wait staff.

Dinner was almost over when Simon excused himself to take a phone call.

Tom turned on Emma. “So, Emma, you trolling the New York underground tonight for a tattooed-up, pierced degenerate?”

She gritted her teeth. “As always, your interest in my personal life is both inappropriate and disturbing. How’s Marcia, by the way?”

I had no idea who that was, but judging from the vein in his neck starting to pulse, she’d hit a nerve. I got the impression this wasn’t the first time they’d sparred. Her loathing of the man was practically rolling off of her in waves.

He turned towards me with a smirk. “You know, Trevor, Emma once had a man get a tattoo, telling him it would give him a chance with her. Poor schmuck couldn’t get ink fast enough. But then once he showed it to her, she called him pathetic. It was cruel to watch it play out.”

I noticed she didn’t bother to refute anything he said. She simply sipped her wine with a glare of pure murder in her eyes. If she had been about to say something, Simon’s return to the table interrupted her opportunity.

On the way back to the hotel, I was quiet, thinking about the information Tom had provided. It might have been a shitty thing for him to say, but it had answered the question about the type of man Emma found attractive. It had been telling that she hadn’t defended herself or refuted his statement. For the first time, I wondered if perhaps I was better off leaving her alone.