“I did.”
“She happy?” Drew grinned.
“She’s over the moon,” Julian grinned back, making me note what a weird sight to see them getting along so well. I would’ve laughed over it if I weren’t so completely preoccupied.
“Yeah, that’s the least of my worries,” I said to Julian. “Mom’s free to find out that I’m with Aly. Just as long as I’m still with Aly.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He thinks she’s not coming tonight, even though she’s probably just late. I mean what – you had a little fight?” Drew asked.
“No. I mean maybe. I was just… away from the house for a bit,” I answered vaguely. I hadn’t told him about the past few days. It didn’t make sense to because he wouldn’t understand, and as much as I wish he could, neither would Julian.
“Well, whatever that means, you need to breathe, Emmett. You have speeches to make tonight,” Julian reminded me.
“And you look like a fucking mess,” Drew added.
I stared at them. “Thank you. You guys are great,” I said, lasting about another ten seconds in their company before I excused myself.
Maybe it was actually good that Julian and Drew weren’t normally friends, because teamed up, they were pretty irritating. Or maybe I was just losing it and seriously needed to get my shit together before introducing the keynote speaker.
Even if it meant forcing Aly out of my head for a minute.
The thought crossed my mind as I passed the bar and felt a hand on the small of my back.
“Emmett.”
I turned around to see Britt breathless from rushing over.
“Hey.”
“Hi.” She laughed at her flustered self, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she looked from her clipboard to me. “You alright, sweetie?”
“Yeah. What’s up?”
“Well, we’ve got Dr. Richards on deck in twenty, and the Kelley family will be standing beside him during the speech,” Britt said. “So wherever you are in about ten minutes, make sure I can find you because I need you onstage to introduce all five people. You have your notes ready, right?” she asked while using her eyes to direct her assistant to do something from well across the room.
“Yes,” I said, patting my pocket to make sure they were there. “I do. Sounds good.”
Britt eyed my tapping foot. “You sure you alright, Emmett? You seem anxious –despite the fact that you know I’ve got you covered, babe,” she assured me, nudging me to try to get me to laugh. “Come on, Emmett. Have you ever had to worry when I’m running your shit?”
Warmth spread through my chest as I took a sip from my Scotch.
“No.”
“That’s right,” Britt beamed, rubbing my arm for a second before snatching it back. “Oop. Can’t do that now.”
“Why?”
“Because no one needs to see me getting all hot and bothered right now,” she smirked, eyeing me from under her lashes. “Not the most professional look in the world. Even if it’s common knowledge that you’re the sexiest man in the room.”
I took another drink in response, letting it stay quiet for a second. Britt sucked in her bottom lip.
“So… still haven’t gotten a hold of Aly?”
“She’s running late.”
“Very late,” Britt noted, eyeing the clock and drawing my eyes to it too. We were an hour and forty-five minutes. Damn it. Come on, Aly.