“Can I do that too?”
Emma jumped. She wasn’t alone yet. “Go away, George. I don’t like you right now.”
“Come on, Emma. Can’t we talk about this?” He sighed the way a parent might when dealing with a moody teenager.
It certainly didn’t improve her mood. “I’m not sorry for trying to set up Harriet and Elton, so if you’re looking for an apology, I don’t have one to give you.”
“I don’t think either of us is in the mood to swap apologies. I was as much an idiot tonight as you. Poor Betty got the brunt of that.” He took off his fedora and mangled it in his hands. “But you were very careful in what you said about your matchmaking with Elton, and when I asked you if this party was a setup for Elton and Harriet, you pretty much lied about that, too. I’m not used to you being evasive and prickly with me. I’m not sure why we can’t just talk about this like real friends, but I’m done trying for tonight. I’m really disappointed Emma. I thought I knew you better than that.” He gave her one last penetrating look and walked out.
She didn’t follow him to the door. His words stung, and she had no defense from what he’d said. Once she was sure he was gone, she walked over and locked the front door. The sign she’d had specially printed for the party was sitting on an easel and she picked it up and ripped it in half—a long, slow rip that was especially satisfying.
And then she cried. Emma never cried. But she couldn’t get the tears to stop. She went into the den where she and George always watched TV together and turned on an episode of Princess Wars, still crying.
Chapter 12♥Her Phone Boyfriend Was Nicer
George pulled into his parking spot in front of his apartment and sat there, mulling things over. He should have taken Betty home, but she’d left with Jane and Finn. He hadn’t finished saying all the things he wanted to say to Emma, but lecturing her more hadn’t made him feel better. In fact, he felt much, much worse. He didn’t want to go inside and sit in front of the TV. Sleep was out of the question.
What he needed was a plan, a goal. Going inside and changing into gym clothes, he got back in his car and drove to the 24-hour gym around the corner. He didn’t belong to this one. It was small and smelled too strongly of disinfectant, but he paid for a daily pass and picked out a stair climber.
He felt better with every passing minute and each simulated flight of stairs. Somehow, his life had incrementally intertwined closer and closer with Emma’s. Maybe it was time to dial that back and focus on other things. It couldn’t be that hard, could it?
His phone rang, and he pulled it out warily, afraid of who might be calling this late. But it was Jane. What could she want?
“Jane? Is everything okay with your aunt and grandmother?”
“Yes, everything is fine. It’s just … will you tell Emma I’m sorry?”
“Of course.” He slowed his pace so he could hear her better.
“I shouldn’t have even come tonight in the mood I was in.”
George waited, but she didn’t elaborate. “It was nice of you to agree to it last minute,” he finally said.
“I’m embarrassed about the way I acted, and about the way … well, anyway, I’m just sorry you had to see me like that.”
“It’s okay, Jane. We’re coworkers, and maybe it’s best if we just stick with that, despite your aunt’s worries for your social life.”
“Yes. Let’s!” Her relief was palpable, and he was glad he hadn’t offended her, and she’d understood what he meant. He felt like they were both talking around what was really going on. Jane wasn’t just apologizing for herself. It was Finn’s behavior, not just hers, requiring an apology, though she hadn’t once mentioned his name.
“So, I’ll see you Monday?” he asked.
“Monday.” Jane said goodbye, and he put his phone away, ramping up his speed so he could finish the programmed workout.
That was one relationship in his life he had successfully put back into order, which gave him hope for one a lot more important. And Emma was important to him. Why else would he care so much what she did? His disappointment in her ate at him. He felt guilty for wanting her to be the person he knew she could, and guilty that he’d let jealousy cloud his judgment tonight. That flapper dress had really been something else. He shook his head to clear the image and kept climbing.
***
Emma dragged her phone toward her and waited for her bleary eyes to focus so she could shut off the alarm.
The sting of George’s words hadn’t quite subsided yet, though she tried to push them away. There was no wrong he didn’t want to right. Maybe it was the caregiver in him. Harriet wasn’t even aware of his concern, yet he felt it all the same. Of course, anyone who met Harriet immediately loved her. She had that kind of magnetism.
Emma cared about Harriet too, despite what George thought. Emma wasn’t the selfish manipulator he thought she was. Last night was for Harriet’s benefit, and the alarm that had just gone off was for Harriet’s benefit, too. The house was a disaster, and Emma wouldn’t leave it for Harriet to clean up, even if it was part of her job. There would be other Saturdays to sleep in.
Emma’s neck and back protested as she dragged herself out of bed, but she got ready anyway with her normal efficiency. She only had two hours before she needed to leave for an appointment with a new client, a single mom who suddenly needed a professional wardrobe by Monday after a lifetime of jeans and sweats. Finding expensive-looking pieces that were not expensive took strategy. Every item they bought would need to work in multiple outfit combinations. The clothes would also need to be sturdy, with at least one outfit that wouldn’t have to be dry cleaned or pressed. Emma relished the challenge. Having things to do meant she didn’t have to dwell on yesterday’s disasters.
With hands on her hips, Emma surveyed the dining room. The ‘murder weapon’ was still sitting on Granddad’s chair. Empty bottles of sparkling cider littered the table. Best to start with the heaviest things first. Dumping everything from the table onto one end, she wiped down the middle section and put away the table leaf. Extra dining chairs went into the garage. The bottles went in the recycle bin.
Harriet came in while Emma was tackling the dishes.
