Page 42 of The Emma Special

Emma stared at the door where James had disappeared. The man with all the patience and kindness in the world had a brother who could fly off the handle like the flip of a light switch. It didn’t make sense. “Sure. I’ll give a statement.”

Lifting his head, Mr. Moore smoothed the worry from his expression and put on his media-pleasing smile. “I appreciate that. Let’s get that over with, shall we?”

The next fifteen minutes consisted of telling the human resources manager everything that happened in James’s office. Well, she left out the part about the origami frogs. Joseph didn’t need to know how Emma spent her lunch break.

After limping back to her desk, Emma pulled up the group message on her computer.

Emma: Still on for tonight? I need a double shot.

Summer: Valerian root? I’ll bring it. You’ll be knocked out until Thursday morning.

Katie: She doesn’t need herbs. She needs espresso and hugs!

Emma: Maybe a little of both?

James stalked through the front door of the building without his temperamental brother in tow. He still wore the scowl, but it softened when he saw her.

So many questions. So many things she wanted to say.

His brother used him. Boy, she was familiar with that one. For some reason she’d assumed James had the perfect family and hers was the only one that sucked like a shop vac.

James rested his hands on the desk and leaned down to whisper, “Are you okay?”

Too close. Way too close. She could smell his cologne. See the flecks of gold in his eyes. Pinpoint the line in his forehead that was probably permanent because of his brother.

“I’m okay. How are you holdin’ up?”

“I can handle him. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

Emma shrugged. “I emerged unscathed.” She flashed a wide, fake smile and made jazz hands like a dork.

James slowly shook his head. “Why don’t you cut out early? Take the rest of the day off.”

“No, no. I’ll be here from eight to five.”

“It’s okay. I can give you a ride home. You should ice your knee and rest.”

She swallowed hard. She wanted nothing more than a bag of ice and a bed to throw herself onto so she could cry like a distraught princess, but she couldn’t take advantage of him. Not when everyone else did. Not when she knew he hadn’t done anything wrong but still felt guilty.

“I’m really okay. Katie is coming to pick me up at five. Besides, I’m meeting the girls for book club right after work today.”

James squinted at her. “But it’s Monday.”

“Yep. Monday Funday. Gotta love a good Monday out on the town.” Good grief, why was her voice so high? “What are you up to?”

James rolled his eyes. “Daniel wants to drag me to Honky Fish, and then he’ll probably drag me into Hookers before we actually go fishing.”

“I’ve never been in there.” Emma scrunched her nose. “The name scares me.”

“I promise it’s just a bait shop.”

Emma leaned back. “It seems a little risqué. You sure they’re not selling anything else? I’ve seen the sign out front. ‘Everything you need for a night out because Hookin’ ain’t easy.’”

“Trust me. It’s a bunch of old fishermen in overalls sitting around a dingy table, dumping peanuts in their coke while griping about the good ol’ days.” He knocked his knuckles absently on her desk. “Still the best place to get bait. Don’t you usually meet for book club on Thursdays?”

Oh, Jamesy Boy paid attention. She was a deer in headlights, gawking as she tried and failed to form a logical response. “Sometimes we have emergency club meetings.”

“You’re joking. Emergency book club meetings?” he asked slowly.