Rush

Chapter 39

Emma

I read the text message Case sent me this morning for the third time.

Case: How are you today? I’m still chained to my desk.

I meant to answer before I got on the subway, but I was in such a hurry that I dropped my phone in my purse, locked the apartment door, and darted out of the building.

Lester tossed me a wave, along with something about wishing me well.

I smiled back, hoping he didn’t think I was rude.

I don’t have any pocket change left to line his glove.

“Are you playing Gem Stars?” Mickey cranes his neck to try and see what I’m gazing at.

I’m at Velvet Bay Books in Brooklyn with Mickey, his mom, and Bella.

When Bella texted me to ask if I was free to meet up with the trio for a bookstore tour and a lunch date, I jumped at the chance.

I spent most of yesterday watching romance movies and staring at the flowers Drake sent me. I’m feeling an unrelenting sense of guilt over the fact that I haven’t told my parents that they have a daughter-in-law.

I went to bed late, hoping that Case would make it home before midnight.

He didn’t. I heard him sneak in shortly before two. He took off before I woke up.

“No.” I smile at the little boy. “I got a text message from a friend.”

Delaney inches up behind me to steal a peek at the screen. “From a boyfriend?”

“Ew.” Mickey covers his ears. “I don’t want to hear that.”

Reaching for one of his hands, Bella laughs. “Come with me. I saw a new book about dragons that you need to see.”

As they take off to the other side of the store, Delaney rests a hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

I turn and face her. “You’re not.”

“You haven’t been your cheerful self today.” She pushes a lock of hair behind her ear. “Does that have anything to do with the guy who texted you?”

I nod. “It’s my brother’s best friend. I’m staying with him right now because my brother took off to get married.”

Her eyes widen. “What’s the story between you and the best friend?”

I inch a fingertip over my bottom lip. “We kissed a couple of days ago and…”

“And it was epic?”

I laugh. “So epic.”

“What’s the problem?” Her smile widens. “I haven’t had an epic kiss in years.”

We haven’t discussed her situation.

On the subway ride here, Mickey watched intently as a man bounced his son on his lap. Delaney must have noticed too because she hauled her little boy onto her lap and did the same.

Mickey laughed the entire time.

I caught a case of the giggles too as I watched them together.

There’s no denying that their bond is strong. I hope to have that with a child of my own someday.

“It’s complicated,” I say. “I don’t want to hurt my brother, but I can’t deny what I’m feeling. That kiss was unreal.”

“I’ve only felt that feeling with one guy.” She darts a finger into the air. “When he kissed me for the first time, I swear time stopped.”

I glance at Mickey when I hear him let out a squeal.

“Was the kiss with Mickey’s dad?” I ask tentatively.

She nods. “He was my first love; my only love.”

Just as I’m about to press for more, her son comes running at us full speed. “Mommy, come and see this book. You have to read it to me.”

Delaney skims her hand over the top of his head before her gaze levels on me. “A kiss like that is rare. Don’t ignore what you’re feeling because it might upset your brother.”

As she walks away, holding tight to Mickey’s hand, I type out a response to Case.

Emma: I’m good. I’m at Velvet Bay Books with my friends. Work sounds like a battle right now. How are you holding up?

His reply takes a moment. I watch as the three dots dance on the screen as he types. There’s a pause before they bounce again.

Case: I’m fine. Enjoy your day, Freckles.

My response is as quick as a beat of my heart.

Emma: You too, Rush.

Chapter 40

Case

I end the call with my assistant in California just as I step into my apartment.

The lights are out. Stillness sits in the air.

I don’t know why the hell that surprises me. It’s after midnight. I’ve been knee-deep in Cabbott bullshit for the past two days.

The framework issue still hasn’t been fixed. I’ve got my most skilled software engineers on the job. Back in California, I’m facing the resignation of two of my top executives.

They emailed me within thirty minutes of each other to tell me they were leaving Cabbott at the end of the month. Who the hell quits their job when the boss is out of town?

Lionel Burkhard and Shaun Melcor do.

Replacing them won’t be easy. I’ll have to pull from the New York office to fill the vacancies temporarily.