CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
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JAMES
I had managed to get Emma to stay for longer. Getting Helen to send a persuasive email to the college sealed the deal. They were happy to agree on the application sent by post instead of her having to fly over.
I didn’t think it took a lot of convincing from my part, but Emma was adamant to make it difficult.
“Are you ready yet?” I found myself saying for the third time in the last ten minutes. Emma never was the type of woman that took an eternity to get ready, but for some reason that day she was.
I walked to the bathroom and opened the door. She stood in front of the mirror putting on the earrings I’d bought her for the premiere. Her auburn curls were loose against a dark green dress. She finished with the earrings and seemed to struggle with her hair, pulling all of it into a ponytail, leaving her slender neck at my mercy. Without hesitation, I moved closer, feeling her soft skin against my lips and running my hand down her torso to her thighs. I kissed and nipped, shrugging the dress off her shoulder to give me more space. Shifting her head to one side, she moaned and turned around. “If you keep on doing that, we’ll never leave.”
But she didn’t stop me, and in that moment, I thought that being a few minutes late would be totally worth it. Hell, cancelling and staying in bed seemed like a much better idea. “Maybe I should call Ralph and cancel,” I said as she unbuttoned my shirt.
This stopped her suddenly. “We can’t do that. We’re meeting his girlfriend for the first time,” she said, moving away from me and straightening her dress. “They’ve had this planned for how long? We can’t cancel at the last minute.”
I groaned, slumping against the wall, my body tight, begging for release. “He’s a man, Emma. I’m sure if I explain, he’ll understand.”
“What would you explain? That you’re getting your jollies?” she asked with an arched eyebrow. I knew that look. It meant she wasn’t giving in, even when faced with my most irresistible smile.
Emma picked up her coat and checked her reflection once more in the mirror. “Come on, or we’ll be late.” She collected her handbag and checked her phone. Once again, she looked in my direction and smiled. “Stop sulking and get up.”
“I can’t,” I complained, but still stood up and adjusted my jeans.
After planting a quick peck on my lips, she giggled. “You’re so cute when you don’t get your way.”
“I never get my way.” I huffed as we left the penthouse.
Waiting outside for us was Hugh. When he saw us, as usual, he didn’t smile. He led us to the back door of the hotel to avoid the journalists.
Once inside the car, I held Emma’s hand. As we drove past the dozens of people and paparazzi standing outside the hotel waiting for us, I felt her stiffen. She still wasn’t used to the attention. Even after the month we’d been living together, she still felt uncomfortable and recoiled every time she saw a camera or a flash.
Today was no different. It was why we hid and slid through the back door, cowering away from the media. I suppose in a way I could take it as a positive thing; it was the two of us.
Right then, watching her try to bury herself in her seat, I promised myself that today was the day to announce our relationship to anyone who would listen.
But first, for the next couple of hours, we had to sit in a restaurant with Ralph and Marisa instead of rejoicing in a few more minutes of naked bliss in my bed.
________
Helen had organised the reservation and made sure there weren’t any other people there, apart from the staff members. We had the restaurant all to ourselves.
“James, my man!” Ralph greeted me. I grinned at his welcome. I had never seen him smile any broader. He seemed to be happy we were there, even though I would have preferred not to be. Maybe he knew and was loving my torment. With a quick pat on the back, he said, “I didn’t think you were going to make it.”
Emma stepped up, and instead of blaming me, she apologised for our lateness. “You know how it is. Couldn’t find the right outfit.”
Ralph obviously didn’t buy it, knowing how quick Emma was to get ready, but he winked and led the way to our table, where a small brunette sat.
“I would like to introduce you to Marisa.” Ralph beamed, proudly showing off his girlfriend.
She, on the other hand, blushed and held her hand out for a shake. “Pleased to meet you.”
We sat down, and Emma tried to make Marisa feel welcome. “I’m so glad we got to finally meet you. Ralph has told us so much about you.”
Marisa blushed a darker shade of red, almost matching the colour of her dress. “I hope he’s been saying good things about me.” She looked at Ralph.
“Nah, he told us all your dirty little secrets,” I joked, but Marisa—and the other two—didn’t find it funny.
An awkward silence followed as the waiter took our order. I inched closer to Emma and tried to kiss her, but she jabbed me with her elbow and pointed to Ralph and Marissa. In a silent admonishment, she arched her eyebrow.
“Sorry, we don’t know your secrets. I was just pulling your leg,” I said, looking at Ralph for any hint of forgiveness, but he just grinned.
Marissa brushed a lock of hair off her face and nodded. “I knew that.” Her smile was tentative, but she wasn’t glaring so I took it as a win.
The waiter brought our drinks, and before we could endure another uncomfortable moment of silence, I decided to give my news. “I’m going to get my driving licence, once and for all.”
Emma almost choked on her wine and Ralph looked surprised.
Leaving the bottle of beer on the table, he said, “I didn’t know you wanted to take the test.”
“Well, it’s about time. With your expert teaching, I’ll feel ready.” I took a quick swig of my drink. “Bribing the instructor will also help.”
For the second time, nobody laughed or smiled. “Right. What’s going on?” I said, leaving my drink on the table.
Emma looked at me, held my hand but didn’t say anything. Marisa picked at the label of her bottled drink.
Ralph cleared his throat and avoided my gaze.
This couldn’t be good news. I sat up straighter and tried again. “Can someone tell me what’s happening? Whatever it is, I can take it.”
Did it have something to do with my mum? Surely I would’ve known by now. But I still looked at Emma, trying to see if anything was written on her face.
There wasn’t. She patted my hand and smiled.
Maybe it was Helen? Although I’d spoken to her that morning and she sounded normal.
“James,” Ralph started. Marisa smiled at him and nodded, giving him encouragement. “I’m really sorry, but—”
I lost control. I knew something had happened—or was happening—and instead of coming out with it, they were walking on eggshells. “Ralph, spit it out.”
“I need to give you my resignation.”
My laughter came out of nowhere, so strong that I almost choked for breath. “Is that it?”
Ralph’s face became sober, shocked at my sudden outburst.
I couldn’t help myself and laughed some more, making Emma’s porcelain face crease with worry. I squeezed her hand in reassurance. “Fucking hell, man, I thought someone had died, or was dying.” Then it hit me: maybe it was him or his brother. Shit! How could I be so blind?
I sobered immediately. “So… what’s going to happen? Why are you leaving?” I asked, hoping that he wouldn’t come out with horrible news.
At this, Ralph smiled and fidgeted with his napkin. “We’ve had a lot of travelling, and you know that I’m here if you need me, as a friend.” He cleared his throat. “But I want to settle down, see the girls every day. So, I thought to open my own business. You know, in security.” He took a big breath and looked at me, waiting for my reaction.
I was happy for him, ecstatic, in fact. I’d known deep down that one day he would end up leaving, and I was kind of surprised that he hadn’t mentioned it before.
Without saying a word, I stood. I could see his face, serious and waiting for an answer. Maybe he even expected me to be angry or disappointed.
“Well done, man!” I went to shake his hand, but he also stood and gave me a man hug.
“You can’t believe how relieved I am,” he said, his smile growing. “I was expecting you to be annoyed.”
I shrugged. “Why would I be?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because we’re a team?” he asked. “How’re you going to survive without me?”
“Hilarious!” I said, patting him on the back.
We sat back down as the waiter took our food order. Once he was finished writing, I asked for the best bottle of champagne.