Emma was brought back to the movie again when Nadine sighed as George Bailey told Mary he’d lasso the moon and a neighbor insisted he should kiss her instead. Emma watched her friend’s profile, the grin on her face and the hope in her wide eyes. She smiled. Yes, she might be coming around to the idea that no strings could be a good thing, but it was clear that Nadine was still looking for true love. And Emma would help her find it.
After the movie, Nadine and Emma headed outside to the bustling city streets.
“That wassogood,” Nadine said, zipping up her puffy coat. “Except, why did they make it seem like Donna Reed was suddenly sad and ugly just because she was unmarried and wore glasses and worked at a library!?”
Emma laughed. “I have no idea. She’s a spinster at, like, thirty!”
She was about to suggest they grab a hot chocolate at the Italian bakery around the corner when Nadine’s body went rigid, her face ashen. Emma followed her gaze across Carmine Street to a couplewalking past on their way to the park benches in Father Demo Square. She was so distracted by the woman—how she was plastered against the guy’s side with her hands buried in his jacket and her lips locked on his neck—that it took a moment for her to realize that the guy was Zane. It was dark and he was looking away from them, but Emma would still recognize that mess of hair anywhere.
“It’s him.” Nadine’s voice was barely audible.
Emma turned to her friend, blocking her view. They had to get out of there before he saw them. And before Emma clocked him again.
“Oh my God, do you think that’s his girlfriend?” It was like Nadine was choking on the words. “Did he have a girlfriend this whole time?”
“Just forget it, Nadine. He’s not even worth our attention.”
“Was I trying to be the other woman?”
“Absolutely not!” Emma worked to think up something to say. “Maybe that wasn’t even him!”
Nadine’s pained expression turned incredulous.
Emma bit her bottom lip.Damn it. Then she had a brilliant idea.
“Let’s go to Margo’s!” she said, smiling brightly.
“What?”
“She lives a few blocks away on Perry. Just wait until you see her apartment—it’s gorgeous.” Emma pulled her friend up to West 4th Street in the opposite direction of Zane.
Nadine reluctantly let herself be led several blocks through tree-lined, cobblestoned streets before getting buzzed up to Margo’s apartment. Emma exited the elevator and rang the bell, barely greeting her sister as she pushed past her into the apartment with Nadine in tow.
“How was the mov—” Margo started but was interrupted.
“Hi! We need drinks… and food.” Emma tried to telepathically communicate the dire situation.
“Right. Got it,” Margo replied, not missing a beat.
She guided them over to the kitchen and they sat down at the island, where Ben was cooking dinner.
Emma couldn’t help but notice how beautiful their new apartment looked. A freshly cut Christmas tree decorated with white lights and silver balls stood tall in the living room. There was a fire lit in the fireplace and a Tiffany’s glass bowl of real pine cones set on the large dining table. It was perfect.
“Try this,” Ben said, not letting Emma even say hello before a huge spoonful of the most perfect flavors hit her tongue.
“Oh wow, what is that?”
“My mushroom risotto. Oh, and try these—they’re mojito slushies. Not exactly the right time of year, but I wanted to make them. I had so much mint… not sure about the ratio. There’s red wine too. Here, sit.” In typical chef fashion, Ben communicated through his food, pouring drinks and setting out plates for them all.
“I want about a hundred of these,” Nadine mumbled around a mouthful of mojito.
“So how was the movie?” Margo repeated, watching Nadine as she downed the rest of her drink.
“Amazing, as usual,” Emma replied with a contented sigh.
“I’m glad you two went. I probably would have puked through the whole thing.” Margo collapsed onto the couch and wrapped a furry blanket over herself. “I can’t drink. I can’t go out. I don’t move from here. It’s awful.”
“I’m sorry,” Emma said. “But at least you have a chef to cook for you.”
