“It will.” He gave her a stern look.
She never imagined that when she was more than ready to give herself to a man, he would be the one disciplined enough not to go all the way. It was obvious Nicolas had plans for her, but she didn’t need those. She needed him.
She gave him a defeated smile and nodded, but then said, “I feel like I’m always doing the stuff a man should in this relationship.”
He choked on air. “W-What?”
“Nothing!” she piped out before she was on her way.It wasn’t true, but that’ll get a reaction out of him!
As she’d hoped, he was on her tail. Just as he reached for her, her phone rang. She gave him a motion to be quiet.
His jaw dropped.
“Hey, Chels.”
He grunted as if he knew this would take a while. His fingers fondled with hers as Chelsea spoke. “Are you coming to our grandfather’s party on Friday?”
Emily’s brows tugged together. “Grandfather’s birthday party?”
“Mother didn’t tell you? She said she and Father had dinner with you the other night. Total family reunion vibes. I felt so left out just hearing about it.”
She froze. “Did she tell you anything else?”
“No, only that you’re acting again, but you’d already told me,” Chelsea said. “Is there something else I should know about?”
“Um…no?”
She wondered why they hadn’t told her sister about the marriage.
“But Grandfather overheard us and is really looking forward toeveryonebeing gathered for his 70th. Please say you can make it.”
She sighed. “You know we’re not on good terms.”
“Well, this is your opportunity to change that! You’ve done it with Mother, so he shouldn’t be that difficult.”Oh, but he could.“Come on, are you going to wait until he dies before you see him again?”
“Chels!”
“It was Grandmother’s words, not mine!”
Emily’s lips twitched uncontrollably. There was a pause, then she aired, “I’m only going because I don’t want that to come to fruition.”
Chelsea squealed. “Amazing! See you on Friday, Emmy!”
Nicolas’s eyes held a glint of mischief. “Emmy? I think I heard that from your friend back inCalifornia as well.”
She shook her head at him at the teasing.
“Emmy,”he dragged out, voice dripping like honey. “Take me to meet your family.”
The breath got knocked out of her chest. “What?”
She searched his face for a punchline, but he just stepped closer.
“I heard everything. Take me to meet your family,” he repeated. “Formally this time.”
38
Trimmed ivy and ferns decorated a stone path. The Pinault family mansion stood proudly behind silver gates, flanked by trees. Flowers lay below them. A smile bloomed on Emily’s face when memories of being scolded for picking off their colorful petals resurfaced.
