Page 130 of The Emma Special

Daniel grunted. “Fine. I’ll just look over your shoulder like a… Hey, what’s wrong?”

James sat frozen, staring at the screen. The browser was open to a website for Kendrick and Associates—the information page for divorce.

Daniel whistled low behind him. “Uh oh.”

James clicked to the next tab. Another divorce attorney. “What—what is she doing?”

“I’m not a detective, but it looks like she’s got breakup on the brain,” Daniel said.

James pushed away from the desk and slid his fingers into his hair. “Why? We had a fight, but we’re not breaking up!”

“Does she know that?” Daniel asked.

James turned back to the screen. She wanted a divorce. All this time, he’d thought they were building something real. “What do I do? I don’t want to lose her.”

“Then you better go tell her. I mean, you just moved dilapidated furniture into your house for her.”

Her words from the call an hour ago rang in his ear. “It’s not you, it’s me.”

James bounded for the door. “I have to find her.”

Daniel looked up from his phone. “Katie said she’s at Brews and Books.”

“Good. I need a ride.”

The BMW was parked behind the coffee shop, and Daniel whipped into a parking spot beside it like he was being paid to get Cinderella home before the clock struck twelve. James opened the truck door and jumped out before Daniel put it in park.

“Go get ’er, stud!” Daniel shouted behind James as he raced toward the back door of Brews and Books.

He’d danced around the truth long enough. Now, it was time to let his wife know he loved her.

Flinging the door open, the smell smacked him upside the head. The rich aroma of brewing coffee had been replaced by a gagging chemical scent that stuck in his nose like funeral flowers. With a cough and a sneeze, he headed straight for the lounge where the Kiss and Tell Book Club always met.

There they were. Emma and her friends sat on a new black couch. Emma held papers in her hands, and the girls huddled around her to read them.

“Don’t do it.” James closed the distance between them and pulled the papers away. “Please, listen to me. I don’t want to lose you.”

James tore the papers down the middle and tossed them to the side. “Emma, I should have told you this a long time ago, but I love you. I’m in love with you. I’m so in love with you that I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

Emma’s eyes softened. “James,” she whispered.

“No, let me finish.” He knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I’ve loved you from the beginning. You’re amazing, smart, beautiful, caring, and you complete me. I want you. I love you.”

He stared into her gorgeous eyes as a smile lifted her cheeks. Tears swelled against her lashes before spilling over. “Oh, James. You don’t have to be so dramatic.”

“This isn’t an act, Emma. I love you. I really love you.”

She chuckled and wiped at the wetness on her cheek before returning her hand to his. “I know. And I love you too.”

James stared blankly. “What did you say?”

“I said I love you too. I’m sorry I was too dense to know it, but I love you too.”

James clenched her hands tighter. “Then what about the divorce papers?”

Emma’s brows pinched together. “What divorce papers?”

Daniel reached down and picked up the shredded pieces and lined up the two halves. “Operation Panty Party.”