Rush

Emma looks me over. “Your text said I should stop by if I found myself close to here.”

It did say that. When I finally checked my phone mid-afternoon, I noticed the text that Emma had sent to me. I fired one back to her over an hour ago suggesting she drop in if she had the chance.

“I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner.” I approach her. “I’m glad that breakfast hit the spot.”

My gaze drops to her stomach. It’s hidden beneath the shirt. What I wouldn’t give to get a glimpse of more of her skin; more of her.

She tilts her head to the left. “It was delicious. They don’t make Bright Bagels in Manhattan. You didn’t get them from Seattle, did you?”

The surprise in her tone spurs me on. I don’t usually take credit for my good deeds, but I’m willing to make an exception so I can see her reaction.

“I did.”

“How?” she huffs out a nervous laugh. “How is that even possible? I just told you about them last night during dinner.”

Anything is possible with enough money and determination.

“I had them delivered.” I cross my arms over my chest.

Her gaze falls to my arms before it levels back on my face. “You had a bag of bagels delivered from the other side of the country just for me?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Her hand leaps to her mouth. Her trembling fingers are trying to mask a smile.

“How much did that cost?” she whispers. “It must have been a fortune.”

I move closer, reaching up to glide my fingers over hers. “It was worth every penny to see that smile you’re trying to hide.”

***

A rap on the doorframe behind Emma draws her back a full step.

My hand falls from her face.

Jesus. I was about to kiss her.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

“Mr. Abbott,” Elias says my name tentatively. “I just got back from checking in with one of our software engineers, sir.”

I keep my eyes on Emma’s face. “Good.”

Her gaze shoots over her shoulder. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Elias takes a step toward her. “I’m Elias.”

“Drake’s assistant,” I add. “This is Emma. She’s Drake’s sister.”

Elias points a finger in Emma’s direction. “You’re the teacher, right? Mr. Owens has told me a lot about you.”

Apparently, Drake didn’t hold back when it came to talking about his sister to his assistant. I’m the only one in the dark when it comes to Emma.

“Mr. Owens mentioned you were engaged. How’s Beauregard?” Elias drops his gaze to Emma’s left hand.

She tucks it into the front pocket of her jeans. “I’m sure he’s fine. We’re not together anymore.”

There’s no hint of sadness or regret in her tone.

I’m glad Drake’s reaction to her ending the engagement didn’t deter her from owning her decision.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Elias says, but the smile on his face tells a different story.

I catch him checking out Emma from head-to-toe, so I tilt up a brow in question.

He shrugs that off and keeps his focus on her. “Do you need a guide to show you around the city? I’m free this afternoon. I’m all yours as soon as Mr. Abbott leaves.”

I’ll keep him here until she boards a plane back to Seattle.

“There’s no need for that,” I interject. “I’m more than capable of entertaining Emma while she’s here.”

That draws Elias’s brow up in response. “I’m sure Mr. Owens would be happy to know that since he’s very protective of both of his sisters.”

He follows that up with a smirk.

Is he threatening me? If he is, he can kiss any chance of a promotion goodbye.

“Thank you, but I won’t be in New York very long.” Emma lets him down easy with a pat on his shoulder. “I’ll be sure to let my brother know that you offered to take me out.”

Elias steps back. I flash him a cocky grin because now he’s the one being threatened. I seriously doubt Emma meant it that way, but Elias sure as hell doesn’t want Drake to think that he’s making a move on his sister.

“Just to show you the sights,” Elias clarifies. “I forgot to mention that my sister would be going with us. Please make sure Mr. Owens knows that part when you talk to him about me.”

With his rail-thin legs quivering, Elias takes a step back. “I’ll send you the engineer’s latest report on the framework via the interoffice messaging service, sir.”

“That’ll work,” I volley back. “You’re free to go.”

Emma turns to watch him hightail it out of the office. Once he’s out of sight, she glances at me. “Is he always like that?”

“Like what?” I chuckle.

She pivots on her heel until she’s facing me again. “Quirky. Awkward. He’s kind of cute.”

I bite the corner of my lip to curtail a smile. “You like that? Is that your type?”

Shrugging, she looks me over. “I haven’t decided what my type is.”