Damon winces. “Yeah, it stopped raining this morning, so I’m?—”
Emery leans closer to the screen, frowning. "Who was that?"
Damon swallows, his tone wavering slightly. "No one, just a random person," he says quickly, a hint of discomfort in his voice. "Listen, I've got to go, but I appreciate the call.” His gaze shifts to me. “Good luck with your speech tonight.” Back to Emery. "I’ll, uh… I’ll call you later, okay? I love you. Bye.”
Emery's frown deepens as Damon ends the call. "Is he cheating on me?"
I snort softly, blinking at her reaction. "You heard a woman's voice and your first thought is that he'scheating? Darling, give Damon some credit. He may be the world’s biggest tool, but he’s loyal to those he loves.” I playfully bop her nose. “And he loves you.”
Emery sighs, her shoulders slumping. "I just... I feel bad. I keep trying to help him, but I feel like I'm always making it worse. He's in such a dark place, and I-I feel so happy. It's unfair.”
I place a comforting hand on her arm and press a soft kiss against her temple. "You're not responsible for Damon's happiness, Emery. It’s not on you to fix him. He's going through a rough time, and sometimes, all we can do is be there for support. You’re doing the best you can, and so is he.” I pull away and offer her a reassuring smile. “Plus, he’s outside. That’s a good sign, right?”
“I guess…” She leans into my chest and adds in a grumble. “Even if it is with another woman.”
I roll my eyes. “Trust me, Emery. You’re enough woman to last him a lifetime.”
The spotlight shinesdown on me as I bring my keynote presentation to an end. There are dozens of people in the crowd, yet I only see her. She’s like the sun, impossible to ignore. Always there. Giving me life.
The room erupts in applause, and Emery beams up at me. Her smile is wide, so proud and unfiltered. My gaze shifts to Amir, who lets out a theatrical sigh and rolls his eyes but there's no disdain in his features, only hints of playfulness.
With a sharp breath, I offer my peers a gracious smile before exiting the stage and shaking several billion-dollar hands as I make my way through the conference room toward Emery.
Stopping by the table, I flash her a cheeky grin. "So? How'd I do?"
Before Emery can reply, Amir presses a dramatic hand over his chest and groans. "You were so boring, Quinny boy, I almost drowned in the soup.” He dips a pinky into his bowl and licks it. "Mmm. Death by butternut squash. What a miserable way to go."
I cock my head, feigning a glare. "And yet you somehow survived. How unfortunate for us all."
Emery shoots me a look of disapproval, which I wave off. In the last forty-eight hours, I’ve discovered that Amir is…tolerable. Plus, I don’t mind watching men flirt with Emery. Quite frankly, it’s a major turn-on.
With a loaded sigh, Amir stands up, scanning the ballroom. "Well, I'd say this trip has been fun so far, but that would be a lie. The median age here appears to be 102, and if I'm being honest, they're all duds." He glances between Emery and me. "I've decided to throw a party in my suite. I take it you'll attend?"
Emery winces slightly. "A party? I don’t really?—"
I cut in with a grin. "Emery isn't particularly a fan of social gatherings." Emery shoots me a glare, and I raise a playful eyebrow. “What? Am I wrong?”
Emery turns back to Amir, adorably defiant. "We'll be there."
"Great!" Amir claps his hands, already beginning to waltz away. "I'll see you up there."
Emery blinks in surprise. "Wait, like now?"
"Yup!" Amir sings over his shoulder. "Now!"
As soon as Amir is out of sight, I cross my arms, grinning down at Emery. "We'll be there?"
Emery glowers at me. "I suppose so."
I chuckle softly. "But you hate parties."
"Yes," Emery admits, standing up and brushing a crumb off her backless black evening gown. "But I hate people speaking for me even more."
My lips part slightly, my tongue grazing the inside of my bottom lip as I take in Emery's jaw-dropping curves. Christ. "I'd argue with you, darling, but I find myself rather...distracted."
Emery smirks, her lips forming a coy pout. "You like the dress?"
I lean in close, whispering in her ear with a low murmur, "I much prefer what’s underneath.”
