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Emma continued to flick through the calendar apologetically; it took an ominously long time.

‘For goodness’ sake! Does she not allow you any free time?’ Bianca snapped, laughing afterwards, as if that softened the blow.

‘I’m sure I can do the Friday, right?’ Lucas moved to peer at Emma’s screen.

‘You have training with me for the fight scenes,’ said Caleb, and then felt like a child of divorced parents having to choose between agreeing with Mom or Dad. ‘But we can do extra on Saturday and Sunday instead if you’re okay with that?’

‘Awesome! Let’s do that!’ said Lucas, and Bianca squealed with delight, only to huff a moment later in disappointment as she stared down at the heavily laden table of delicious food on offer. ‘There’s nothing vegan!’

Emma frowned, setting down her own plate and walking over to inspect the dishes. ‘There should be three vegan options.’

Hannah pointed to the label in front of a delicious roasted vegetable salad; maybe she’d missed the sign. ‘This is vegan.’

‘And this,’ said Zach, subtly shaking the piled-high serving spoon of lemon and herb couscous he was holding back into the bowl, probably realising he’d been a bit over eager with his portion. Especially considering his plate was already overflowing with steak, chicken, king prawns and fries.

Bianca was not impressed. ‘There’s aubergine in the roasted veg.’ She shuddered. ‘I hate aubergine.’

Emma frowned. ‘They must have forgotten to serve the crispy tofu skewers, and there should be vegan butter for the baked potatoes. Sorry, I’ll go and get them from the kitchen.’

‘You’re forgiven!’ beamed Bianca like a Benedictine saint.

‘I was going to go and change in the bathroom anyway. I can pick them up for you,’ Caleb offered, conscious that Emma had already plated up her food and he hadn’t. Grabbing his clothes, he got ready to go.

‘Thanks, but it’ll be easier if I do it,’ Emma replied quietly.

‘You okay?’ he asked as they climbed up the stairs towards the house. ‘You know, she’s just another spoiled starlet. Don’t take anything she says or does to heart.’

Emma nodded. ‘I know, I’m…’ She sighed miserably again. ‘I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this for.’

Dread pooled in his stomach. He couldn’t imagine life without Emma at Lucas’s side, and he was certain Lucas couldn’t either. ‘Being an assistant, or being Lucas’s assistant?’

‘Both?’

‘You do too much for him, you know, and it’s been getting worse the past couple of years. Opening his water for him? Advising on who he should and shouldn’t date. It’s not normal.’

Emma bristled. ‘Hey, I’m good at setting people up on dates! I’ve already played matchmaker to three celebrity couples. One of which is getting married next summer.’ She frowned, and he could almost see her mind working through the statement. The couples she’d helped set up were all exes of Lucas. Women she’d felt sorry for when he’d inevitably thrown them aside. Caleb loved Lucas like a brother, but he was a complete ass when it came to women, and Emma knew that better than anyone.

At least when Caleb had his flings, his partners knew from the start it wouldn’t last. Lucas had often been loved up one minute and then bored the next. Emma had even had to write some of his breakup texts for him.

Taking a deep breath, she continued, ‘Besides, that’s my job. To do what’s best for him – make his life as easy as possible. But Bianca’s not right for him – any fool can see that! They have nothing in common. I’m getting tired of this never-ending cycle, you know?’

‘He relies on you too much,’ Caleb said, not sure if the reminder would help or hinder the situation. ‘You’ve had a lot going on recently, maybe you need a break?’

‘How can I take a break? He relies on me for everything.’ Emma sighed wearily, as if her own denial had struck a chord within her that she could no longer ignore. ‘And that’s the problem, isn’t it?’ They’d reached the house now, and the large kitchen doors were open. She paused before entering, as if trying to make up her mind. ‘I think there’s something Lucas and I need to face.’

Caleb forced his expression to remain neutral. ‘What?’

Emma looked up at him with a fragile hope and despair in her eyes. ‘My feelings for him.’ She sucked in a deep breath, as if she’d pulled off a band-aid. Caleb had suspected she’d fallen in love with Lucas, and he pitied Emma for it, not only as a colleague, but as a friend.

‘But I don’t think I’m ready to confess it yet.’ She was searching his face, waiting for him to give something – anything – away.

‘I understand,’ he said, trying to reassure her. But by the sudden fall of her shoulders, he knew he’d said the wrong thing. She didn’t want his reassurance, she’d been hoping for his encouragement. That he’d tell her that Lucas might feel the same way about her, that he was madly in love with Emma, just as passionately as she’d silently adored him for years.

But that would be a lie.

She gave a brief nod, tears threatening to fall. ‘Thanks. Maybe Bianca will be a good thing, cure me of my infatuation. For someone who hates aubergines, she eats plenty of them, or so I’m told.’

Caleb chuckled with a shake of his head. There was no keeping Emma down. ‘Best get her those tofu skewers, before she starves to death.’