Emmy stared at the flowers like they might bite her. The card was visible, tucked among the stems: No hard feelings, beautiful. —T
Cecelia's expression flickered—Loss? Calculation? Something Emmy couldn't quite read. She gestured for Beckanne to set the arrangement on the side table, then waited until the door closed again before speaking.
"Interesting." She glanced to the flowers, then Emmy's face. "He's still pursuing contact. That's something we can use."
Emmy thought about Tyce—the way he'd handed her that golf club, the barely concealed delight when she'd swung. He was like a little boy whose prank had been a hit with his classmates but gotten him in trouble with the teacher. The flowers weren't an apology. They were a consolation prize.
"He's not pursuing anything," Emmy said. "He's gloating."
"Perhaps. Or perhaps he genuinely wants to maintain a connection." Cecelia moved back to her desk, settling into her chair with the deliberate grace of someone who never made an unconsidered movement. "Either way, that interest has value. Don't waste it."
Emmy nodded because she didn't trust herself to speak.
"One more thing." Cecelia's voice stopped her at the door. Emmy turned, bracing for another blow.
"Don't confuse protecting a client with protecting yourself." Cecelia's gaze was steady, unblinking. "They're not always the same thing."
The coffee shop on the corner of Tremont was nearly empty at this hour—too late for the morning rush, too early for the lunch crowd. Emmy ordered a latte she didn't want and sat at the same high-top where she'd helped Harper delete her dating apps all those weeks ago.
Harper. Emmy had been so consumed with Grant and Tyce and her own career implosion that she'd let the Cole situation drift for weeks. Harper deserved better than a matchmaker who couldn't even follow through on her own pro bono project.
Her stomach felt like it was still in Cecelia's office, churning against the coffee she'd forced down. Tyce's flowers were on her desk back at Elite Connections, clogging her tiny office with their aggressive tropical scent, and Grant's flowers sat on her actual kitchen counter, wilting, and she couldn't decide which image made her feel worse.
Keep him close. That interest has value.
Like she was supposed to cultivate Tyce Duke's attention. Like his public humiliation of her was an asset to be managed rather than an injury to be survived.
Harper
How'd it go with the ice queen?
Emmy
Still employed. Barely. Two weeks to prove I can deliver on both clients or I'm done. Also I have to ask Grant about his sexual preferences bc I left that page blank on his intake form
A pause. Then:
Harper
wait. you have to ask what?
Like if he likes role-play or butt stuff or something
can I come
Emmy
HARPER
Harper
no pun intended lol. also ew he's like really old. Still hot tho
Not for you obviously
Emmy
I'm going to die
