“Do you want kids?”
He frowned and looked at the floor.
“What is it?”
“I do want kids.But I’m starting to wonder if it’s even in the cards for me.”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
He blew out a rough breath.“Because dating is fucking hard, Callie.I hate it.”The story of his last relationship clattered around in my head.
“I’d love to spare you from it.”
He said it so quietly, I almost missed it.I reached out a tentative hand and placed it on his thigh.His head jerked up, and he looked at me.This time, I didn’t see sadness.
I saw a tiny glimmer of hope.
* * *
“What’s been your favorite project?”
“Hmm, that’s tough.”Emmett tapped a long finger against his lips.The movement drew my attention.I knew what those lips felt like, tasted like.It would be so easy to close the distance between us and kiss him.
“Probably The Garden.And I’m not just saying that because we talked about it or because Marco loves the fries.”He threw me another spellbinding grin, and my heart thawed another fraction.“The team worked so hard and felt so strongly about the project.Seeing their pride when it was all said and done was rewarding in a way I can’t quite describe.”
Sometimes I thought he didn’t take his job seriously, then there were moments like this when I was reminded that he wasn’t there for the title or the praise or to throw his weight around.He genuinely cared about people.He wanted to see the company succeed and his grandfather’s legacy thrive, yes, but not at the expense of its people.Quite the contrary.He wanted it to thrive because of the people.
“Have you ever tried to do more to make a difference?Makeallthe projects more philanthropic?”
He glowered.“I’ve tried.Gene shuts me down every time.Says it won’t pay back.This community development is the mostgoodI’ve been able to do without his pushback.And I have you to thank for that.”
“Me?What did I do?”
“Impressed Thomas Price.Gene couldn’t force his bullshit down my father’s throat after you’d so thoroughly won him over.”
My cheeks heated.“It was nothing, really.I just pitched him the same proposal you helped me perfect.”
“That’s not what he told me.”
“It’s not?”
“Nope.I believe his exact words to me were, ‘Don’t lose her, son.You’ll regret it if you do.’”
I attempted to swallow the lump in my throat.I didn’t want to read too much into the words.But Emmett’s expression as he delivered them gave them the force of a killing blow, knocking out the last of my defenses.
* * *
The captain’svoice cut in, directing us back to our seats for landing.I tensed as the plane dipped lower through the clouds, and Emmett took my hand once more.
“Almost there,” he said soothingly.
I squeezed my eyes shut as the tarmac rushed up to meet us.The wheels bounced roughly on impact before smoothing out.When we came to a stop at our terminal, I gave an audible sigh of relief.
“Welcome to London,” Emmett said.
By the time we reached the bottom of the airstairs, the driver was already collecting our bags.Emmett led me to a sleek black limo.As I settled into the plush leather seat, I took in the luxury vehicle’s interior with a sharp intake of breath.
“Swanky.”I ran my hands over the smooth wood paneling.
