“Nadine,” Emma said, a broad smile blooming on her face. “That is the most brilliant idea you’ve ever had.”
CHAPTER 13
On the long list of Woodhouse Christmas Traditions, a mid-afternoon screening ofIt’s a Wonderful Lifeat a small independent theater in the West Village was one of Emma’s favorites. She looked forward to it every year, even calling ahead to ensure they still had Milk Duds at their concession stand.
Unfortunately, due to slightly unforeseen circumstances (a particularly bad bout of morning sickness for Margo and an extended trip to LA for Knightley), Emma was on her own this year. At least, she would have been if she hadn’t confessed as much to Nadine while getting manicures after class.
“Oh my God, I’ve never seen that movie!” her friend exclaimed with so much enthusiasm that the nail tech smudged Tutti Frutti Pink across her thumb.
This obviously couldn’t stand. So it was settled: Nadine would meet Emma outside the theater on Saturday at 3:45 on the dot.
Of course, when Saturday arrived, and despite weeks of planning, Emma was still putting the finishing touches on her outfit when she was supposed to already be out the door. To make matters worse, the wait time for a car service claimed to be over an hour.She’d have to try transportation plan B. Hopefully the taxi gods would be smiling down upon her today.
She threw on her black cashmere knit hat, zipped up her new winter moon boots, and grabbed her black Canada Goose puffer jacket before rushing out the door.
It had snowed heavily the previous day, and what had been a beautiful white blanket was now a gray sludge that overwhelmed the sidewalks and curb. Emma leapt over it, trying to maintain the pristine condition of her boots. She finally managed to get to the street, but even with her arm raised, cab after cab passed by.
“Damn it,” Emma murmured to herself. She could take the subway, but that would mean walking further east. How much was a trip these days? Were buses still a thing? She mentally calculated her options just as a taxi rounded the corner with its light on. It was a Christmas miracle.
She extended her arm further, smiling broadly as it stopped just a few feet ahead.
“Taxi!” she yelled, running toward it. The passenger got out and, seeing her, waited with the door open.
“Hold up,” he said to the driver.
“Oh, thank God,” she said breathlessly as she finally reached them. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure,” the man replied, leaning against the open car door like he had all the time in the world. “You’re clearly in a hurry.”
His smile caught her so off guard that she paused. A crooked grin crinkled the corners of his clear blue eyes. Strangers didn’t smile like that. Not in New York, anyway.
“Just a bit,” she replied, hoping he would attribute the blush rising in her cheeks to her recent sprint.
“Well, I don’t want to keep you,” he murmured, stepping backfrom the car door to give her room to get in. A few strands of his long blond hair fell in front of his face, but he made no move to push them away. Despite the cold, his dark shearling fur coat hung open, revealing a black shirt unbuttoned just enough to expose a hint of his chest.
She found herself hesitating a moment before slowly brushing past him and sliding into the back seat of the cab. “Thanks to you…” she said, pausing to look up, “… I think I might make it.”
“Have fun,” he winked, slamming the door shut and hitting the top of the taxi with two gentle knocks before walking away. Emma sat there for a moment and realized she was holding her breath. She exhaled.
“Where to?” the cab driver asked as they started down the road.
“Oh, um, West 4th and Sixth Avenue, please,” she mumbled, turning around to watch as the handsome stranger disappeared from view.
As her cab sped downtown, Emma texted Nadine to tell her she was running just a few minutes late. She pressed send, then began to idly scroll through her contacts until she came to Knightley’s name. She usually dragged him to this every year, but he was in LA this week and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow. That didn’t mean she couldn’t make him feel bad about missing it though, right? She smiled and began typing.
EMMA
I know you’re not a big fan of It’s a Wonderful Life, but you didn’t have to fly all the way to LA to avoid watching it with me this year.
She pressed send and slid her phone back in her bag. She knew he was busy, so she didn’t expect a reply.
Nadine was waiting outside the theater bundled up, hood on, in a long pink puffy coat that made her impossible to miss. She looked like a marshmallow, and Emma wanted to squeeze her.
“I need that coat!” She laughed. “You look so cozy!”
“I’m from Ohio. This is nothing.” Nadine smiled, and the pair went inside.
After getting some refreshments, they found their seats in the center row of the old theater and sat down. Emma put her phone on silent, then carefully positioned their popcorn, drinks, and Milk Duds while Nadine shook off her coat.
