Page 91 of The Emma Special

“Oh.” Emma lifted a hand to her forehead. They were the only two left in the room now. Time was passing, but everything was a blur. Closing her eyes, she let her face relax with an exhale.

It was over—for the moment. She’d smiled and nodded at all the right times. Their friends had run on ahead for the second act, and left her here with her husband. Peaches, she had a husband. “I’m⁠—”

“You okay?”

“I think I need to sit down.”

“I’m going to carry you.” James reached for her.

“Ugh.” She pushed his hand away. “It makes me feel like a sickly weak woman.”

“Don’t say that.” James cupped her downturned face and rubbed a thumb across her cheek. “I don’t think that about you at all. You are one of the strongest, most amazing women, who just happens to be experiencing a temporary limitation.”

Emma snorted a laugh. “That sounds so PC.”

The humor settled her nerves for a moment. This was still James. Her friend. Her friend that she wanted to kiss but was too scared to love.

“The secret is that holding you is my new favorite thing.” He stepped closer. “Makes me feel like a real he-man. I’ve asked my trainer to focus on upper body the past few weeks, so I’m really ready for anything.”

She pushed against his chest, pretending to be insulted. “Are you saying I’m fat?”

“I’m saying⁠—”

“Wait, you have a trainer?”

“Yeah.” James lifted the corner of his mouth. “You think I come by this naturally?” He lifted both arms and flexed, stretching the fabric of the fitted suit.

Emma laughed at his antics, the tension leaking. “Do you think I could get in on those sessions? I’d love to fit into a size⁠—”

James swooped her into his arms, effectively cutting her off. “You can come with me sometimes. But we’re only building muscle.” He dipped his head to whisper, “I don’t want you to lose any of those curves.”

She gasped, but he didn’t look guilty as he confidently strode through the court room. Smug was the word.

Emma cleared her throat. “Be ready. When you walk out the building, the girls are going to throw birdseed at us.”

“Noted.” He opened the door with a push of his shoulder, and his steps echoed in the silent hallway.

The women sitting at desks on either other side of the thick glass walls all stood to wave as they passed. A few began to clap and more whistles chased them to the door. She’d somehow forgotten how often he worked here. Did they know she was injured? What did they think of him carrying her down this long hallway?

James didn’t appear bothered. If anything his smile grew.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she asked, locking her fingers behind his neck.

“Guilty.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “He-man, remember?” He paused before opening the main door. “You ready?”

“If I say no, can we just hang out here? I mean, the real world is out there.”

James smirked and shook his head. “The real world isn’t scary. We’re a team, remember?”

Right. She had a forever partner, and the idea of not having to walk through life alone was… comforting.

She smiled and shrugged. “Let’s go, Roomie.”

Chapter 26

James Is Clark Kent

From his bed James heard the fridge open and shut. Each distinct sound told a story. The thump of a milk jug on the counter. The clink of a dish on the marble countertop. The jingle of the silverware drawer. The tap of an egg shell against the side of a bowl.