“I’d love to,” he said, biting his bottom lip as if he was reluctant to continue. “But I have plans.”
“Oh,” she said, and blinked. She hadn’t expected him to decline, and she was surprised by the dull pang of disappointment running through her chest. “Well, what about tonight?”
His eyebrows lifted. “Tonight?”
“We could have dinner. I mean, not you and me. Well, yes, you and me, but there will be other people there too.” She let out a nervous laugh. God, what was wrong with her? “It’s just that we usually have people over for dinner at our house on Sundays. It’s a bit of a weekly tradition with… well, everyone. Ben and Margo will be there too—Ben’s even cooking this week.”
“Sunday dinner with the Woodhouses.” Montgomery mulled it over, leaning against the doorframe. “I think I can make myself available. Should I bring anything?”
“Just yourself.” She smiled. “Seven o’clock. Don’t be late.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
She offered him a small wave and started down the stairs, but stopped when she noticed the motorcycle again. She turned back to him. “Is that yours?”
He nodded, never breaking eye contact. “It is.”
“Those are really dangerous, you know.”
His smile became almost carnal. “Not at all. They just need someone who knows how to handle them.”
There was a warm hum through Emma’s body as Montgomery stared down at her. Her mouth fell open and she knew she had to say something, had to actuallydosomething, but her body wouldn’t listen. He finally chuckled.
“See you tonight, Emma.”
And then he closed the door.
Emma walked back home with a grin on her face. Suddenly the week was looking up. It was the holiday season. She had a Sunday dinner to plan. And they had a new neighbor on 83rd Street.
CHAPTER 15
Emma spent the rest of Sunday doing errands to distract herself from the impending dinner. She collected used clothes from their neighbors and brought them down to their church to donate. She stopped at the corner specialty Italian shop to pick up some appetizers for Ben. Then she got her father’s dry cleaning from Gladys across the street. But she still couldn’t escape her thoughts of Montgomery Knox.
He was… not what she expected. Not that she was complaining. He was everything she could have asked for: gorgeous and successful and flirty and confident… She took a deep breath as her cheeks flushed again. And clearly Ben liked him for her. He also had Margo’s vote. Maybe this could be the no-strings relationship she was toying with. Maybe it could even grow into something more.
Montgomery wasn’t some college student or barista: he was an adult who had traveled the world. He was putting down roots in New York. This had actual potential.
By the time she got home, Ben and Margo had arrived, and Ben was already busy cooking. Emma could hear them bickeringin the kitchen below when she came in the front door, a familiar back and forth as he moved things around for easier access and ruined everything she had already organized. Emma avoided all of it and headed up to her room.
She descended the staircase a little while later—outfit changed and makeup freshened—and was surprised to see Knightley in the living room, pouring himself a glass of red wine from the brass bar cart. He was about to take a sip when he caught sight of her. He froze as she walked toward him, the glass hovering at his lips.
“Oh, you’re back,” she said in greeting.
His gaze stayed locked on her, but he didn’t reply.
“Hello?”
Her voice seemed to jar him enough that he blinked, taking a quick sip of his wine as his eyes darted away. “I am.”
“Did you just get in?”
“I’ve been home all day,” he said, turning to pour a second glass of wine and offering it to her.Shit. She had meant to stop by, but the day got away from her.
“Oh, well, I didn’t notice. I’m a very busy person, Knightley,” she teased, accepting the drink even as her cheeks flushed. During all the long hours of pondering tonight’s dinner, she completely forgot that Knightley would be there too. The realization sent a shot of adrenaline through her veins. “And how was California?”
“Fine,” he replied. “How was the movie?”
“Good,” she said. She took a sip of her wine, feeling it warm her throat. “Nadine came with me.”
