“Thank you for the apology,” Emma murmured, reaching inside the fridge. They didn’t say another word until the car pulled up to the entrance of the restaurant.
* * *
The warm glow of lanterns spilled out onto the sidewalk as Tyler and Emma stepped out of the car. He needed to pull himself together, but Emma’s legs weren’t helping him return to homeostasis.
The scent of warm spice and grilled meats enveloped them as they entered the colourful foyer.
“Have you eaten here before?” Emma asked.
Tyler shook his head. He hadn’t eaten most places in Calgary, to be fair.
"Ah, there you are!" Troy greeted them with a wide grin, standing beside Gina. She wore a strapless dress with a blazer draped over her arm and smiled as if she’d practised the expression in front of a mirror.
Tyler clapped his hand on his dad’s back, noting the dark circles under his eyes and his sunken cheekbones. This afternoon in the sunshine, bundled up in his coat, he hadn’t looked so fragile.
"Emma, lovely to see you again.” Troy’s voice dripped with charm as he took her hand, planting a light kiss on the back of it.
“You, too.” Emma smiled and waved to Gina.
"Come, let's sit." Troy led them to a low table surrounded by plush pillows in vibrant hues. As they settled onto the cushions, servers dressed in traditional attire circulated, placing small plates filled with marinated olives, hummus, and colourful salads. After washing their hands with warm cloths dipped in hot water and lemon, they dug in.
Tyler didn’t have to work to move the conversation along as he tore off a piece of steaming, pillowy pita bread. His dad was always happy to storytell, and surprisingly, so was Gina. Emma asked her questions about the Calgary market, and Gina had barely come up for air during appetizers.
And Tyler was back in that locker room holding his mitt, Sean’s words echoing in his head. What the hell was he supposed to do now? He’d seen the schedule. Emma was almost finished with the shoots for the menu, and then Lindsey and Vaughn would take over for room-by-room promos as the contractors finished up.
Would she take on the next property?Even if she did, they wouldn’t keep this ruse going, not after what happened today. Because he was going to keep breaking Emma’s rules. How could he not? Emma shifted on her pillow and her hip grazed the side of his thigh.
"Tyler, have you tried these stuffed grape leaves?" Troy’s voice pierced his thoughts. "Absolutely divine."
"Uh, no, not yet.” His heart felt like a helicopter about to lift off as he reached for one. Troy and Gina turned to each other, arguing the benefits of red versus white wine. When Gina stood and announced her need to find a bathroom, Troy insisted on walking with her.
Emma waited a moment, then turned to Tyler. “Are you doing okay?”
Tyler nodded as he took a bite. Troy was right. This was delicious.
“You haven’t said more than a few words.”
Tyler held up the half-eaten stuffed leaves. “I’ve been eating.”
Emma rolled her eyes, and if it was possible, more heat flooded his veins. He took the last bite and wiped his fingers on his napkin, then took off his sweater. Emma still looked up at him, and he allowed himself to turn toward her for the first time since she’d taken off her coat.
It was a terrible life choice. Emma’s hair cascaded over her shoulders, smooth and soft. The golden light softened the edges of her face. His eyes slipped over the curve of her jaw, the arch of her brow. The neckline of her dress hit high on her chest, all straight lines and thin straps. Nearly the same silhouette of her sleeveless sweater earlier.What was it about that cut that drove him insane?He wanted to rip the fabric just to get a glimpse of her collarbone.
His pants grew tight, and he reached for his water. “I’m not feeling chatty, I guess.”
Emma twisted on her pillow and slipped a hand under the table, resting it on his knee. “This must be so difficult. Do you know his latest results?”
Tyler ignored the liquid fire searing his right thigh and glanced up. Emma thought his mood was because of his father, and maybe it should’ve been. Half a stuffed grape leaf still sat on his father’s plate, and the rest of the white surface looked mostly untouched. He’d worked to avoid staring at how Troy’s skin hung off his cheeks and how his eyes wouldn’t stop watering.He had to be on a disturbing amount of pain medication.
A pit opened up in his stomach, and Tyler reached around Emma’s waist, pulling her into him, burying his nose against the top of her head. She didn’t push back, just wrapped her arms around his middle, her chest rising and falling against his.
He couldn’t keep her rules, not anymore.He wanted her.Seeing his dad fade away in front of him only made it more obvious. He wanted her annoyed looks, all her different laughs, her obsession with marinated chicken and old English phrases. He wanted her honey crullers and the way she breathed out slowly through her mouth when she was setting a piece of chocolate or twirling a garnish for a shot.
He wantedher, and Sean had been half right.
Troy and Gina returned to the table. He reached down and squeezed Gina’s thigh as they sat, his fingers trailing a bit too high for decency in public. Two weeks ago, it had been Melanie next to Troy.When has that ever stopped the Bowen men?
Tyler relaxed his grip, and Emma looked up at him, her eyes deep chocolate pools. “Thank you.” He murmured, then pulled his arm to his side and reached for another scoop of Basmati rice.
