by Ellie Hall
Emma got to her feet and guided him over to the couch. He couldn't relax. He rested his elbows on his knees, fuming over the nerve of people to intrude into his and Emma's lives. He was about to vent when she started rubbing his shoulders, massaging away the tension. After a few minutes of her hands on him, he finally felt at ease.
"Does that feel better?" Her voice was tired.
He nodded. "Though I don't think I can fall back asleep. Do you want to finish watching the movie? I think I missed the second half."
"I can't promise I'll stay awake but I've already seen it."
"Does it have a happily ever after?"
"I guess you'll have to watch it to find out."
Like so many mornings, Will woke to the sound of his phone. However, unlike any other morning ever, he woke with his favorite person nestled in his arms. She'd drifted off but he'd watched the rest of the movie and had to admit he'd liked it.
As Emma continued to slumber, Will studied the faint freckles on her adorable nose, her smooth cheeks, and a little scar on the edge of her jaw. He didn't want it to end, but life wasn't like the movie. He had a big year of travel ahead, appearances, and probably more encounters with loser paparazzi. She didn't want that kind of life, following him around. She'd already lived in Everett's shadow and she was too smart, too vibrant, and too wonderful to do that again.
Will sighed.
Emma roused, burrowing her head into his chest. She was cozy in her sweater, leggings, and fuzzy socks. He wanted more of that softness in his life. More of her.
His mind played through every reason why it wouldn't work but he just wanted a little longer. The phone beeped again. He reached for it, disturbing Emma and her eyes fluttered open.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty."
"Good morning, Prince Charming."
"I like that. I like this," he said, gesturing between them.
"It seems someone likes you; your phone won't stop beeping."
"It's a workday."
"Every day is a workday." Could that change? Could he?
"You know, when we met, I underestimated you. I thought you lived the good life: traveling, vacationing, yachting, having gorgeous women fan you with palms and feed you grapes." Her cheeks tinted pink.
He chuckled. "I do live a good life."
"But I mean that you work hard. Harder than anyone I've met. You never stop."
She touched on a sore spot, a fear he rarely let himself entertain. "I'm afraid of what will happen if I do."
"Kind of like my fear of landing?"
"I suppose." Will shifted, wanting to get space from the hollow feeling but not from her. She filled it. "If I let up, I'm afraid I'll slip into insignificance and…"
She took his hand in hers. "What?"
"If I'm not seen I'll be insignificant, forgotten, and alone. At least with work, I have the fans. I couldn't bare being—" He almost couldn't say the word. But Emma waited. She made him brave. "Abandoned."
"You won't."
But he would. She'd leave soon and it'd be over. His phone beeped. It was Jared. He checked the messages. "My agent has big news. I guess we got the Nexxiss deal."
The cast of her eyes and the downturn of her lips suggested exactly what he was thinking. He didn't have to take it. "It's what we did this whole thing for. It's what we've been striving toward all this time. It's…I gave Jared my word."
Emma nodded but didn't look at him. "I understand. You have to do what's best for you."
"It looks like I'll be back in a couple of weeks. I'll still need an assistant. There's plenty for you to do at HQ."
She nodded again as though trying to convince herself of something. "Right. I'll figure it out."
"You can stay here as long as you like. Bartholomew will get you anything you need." He got to his feet. "My plane leaves for Morocco in an hour." Will scrubbed his hands down his face.
Emma stood, lifted onto her toes, and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Thanks for everything, William." Then she disappeared down the hall to her room.
It wasn’t a goodbye, but it sounded like one.
Will had to hurry. He didn't want to let anyone down. Maybe after this job, he could take some time off. Visit that island finally. Maybe Emma could join him. No work, no paparazzi. Only them.
After getting ready, Will hesitated outside Emma's door, but the shower ran and he had to be at the airport in twenty minutes. As Benson maneuvered through traffic, Will tried to focus on the task ahead.
When he arrived, the engines of his private jet already whirred. He had five minutes to spare. When he stepped inside the plane, Jared already occupied one of the seats, along with his ex, Veronica. His jaw locked and his stance stiffened.
"Don't look so surprised Will," Veronica said.
"I'm not surprised. I'm angry."
"You'll have to get over it and paste on your famous model pout before we do the shoot. Just be sure you lay off the chocolate from now on. Wouldn't want you to damage the merchandise."
The only person who'd seen him eat sweets was Emma…and Brian Bowen. "We?"
"Yes, you and I are the new faces of Nexxiss, the luxury brand. Just like old times."
Jared wore a sympathetic smile. "Buckle in. We can't leave them waiting."
"We?" Will repeated.
Veronica looked around and frowned. "Is there an echo in here?"
The fiery rage from the night before reignited. Jared's insistence he clean up his image to get the deal. Seeing them at the New Year's bash. It made a twisted sort of sense. "We as in Jared and Veronica." Still standing in the doorway, Will clapped his hands together. "This has always been about you two, hasn't it?"
"Well, I do have the connection at Nexxiss. I just needed you to clean up your image so they'd agree to hire you."
"And why would you do that, Veronica?"
"So I could have you back."
"You're the big fish, Will. You may as well take advantage of it while you can." Jared guffawed.
The fuse lit and Will exploded. "Tell me if I understand correctly. Veronica, you had a connection at Nexxiss, but the only way you could get the job was if you had me attached." It was much like Emma's situation with Everett.
"You're quick for being a big, dumb jock."
"And Jared, you orchestrated the wholesome brand reimaging so we could land this gig."
His agent nodded. "I won't lie."
"But you did." Will's eyes narrowed. "You knew about the chocolate chip cookies. Someone tipped you off. So did you also pay the paparazzi to alter images and stories, slandering me?"
Jared lifted and lowered his shoulders. "They mostly did that on their own, with a little nudging."
"Why if you wanted me to clean up my act?"
Jared sneered. "You were so caught up in your own problems you played right into my hands. I knew you wouldn't get back with Veronica so I had to engineer a fall so you'd have to get back up. And I knew you wouldn't be able to tolerate a plain, simple girl like Emma for long."
She shot him a dark look.
"What's in it for you two though?" Will staggered. "It's the paycheck, isn't it?"
They both shrugged non-committedly.
"Veronica, when you took off with that guy you were dating you blew through your cash. Jared, you burned through your money gambling, didn't you?"
"Brian was expensive too."
"That paparazzi piece of—? You hired him?"
"I had to make sure the world saw you weren't out partying all the time to appease the heads at Nexxiss. Speaking of which, we have to leave. Now. We already have the wind against us."
Will shook his head. "No, we're not going anywhere."
Jared sat up straight. "Will, think about this. Nexxiss is going to give you the biggest payday of your life."
"I'm a billionaire. I've made a fortune with my supplement brand and the gym. Investments. I don't need—"
"You need the world watching you, Will," Veronica said. "You don't want them to forg
et about you."
"No, maybe not. But I'd like to forget about you. Both of you. Jared, you're fired. Veronica, goodbye."
The two sat, unmoving, still buckled in.
"Will, I made you who you are. I got you your first modeling gig. Without me, you'll amount to nothing," Jared hissed.
"Thank you for that, all those years ago, a decade, right? But I'm about ready to test that theory of yours. We'll see if I'm forgotten or if my true fans stick around."
Veronica leaned in, batting her eyelashes at him. "Think about what you're doing. What you're throwing away."
He shook his head. This was all happening fast but he should've seen it coming. "Leave. Leave now. My lawyer will be in touch." Will glared at them as they got to their feet.
"Fine, in that case, we don't need you, do we, baby?" Veronica said, taking Jared's hand.
Will's face fell. Veronica left him. Jared mysteriously disappeared around the same time to deal with a family issue. They must've had their fun and then desperate, when their funds ran out, hatched the plan together. "It was you two? Veronica, you cheated on me with him?"
"Don't be so surprised. He's not as fixated on work as you are."
"No, he's just obsessed with money, deceptive, greedy—"
Jared rolled his eyes. "That's always been your problem. You're too idealistic. This is a game. You should learn how to play it."
"Not when that means betraying and taking advantage of people. You wanted me to clean up my image while you'd gone behind my back and were one of the reasons I'd been so upset in the first place."
"No, I'm just using your position to my advantage. There's a difference."
"So be it, but now you’re out of a job. Goodbye." Will closed the door to the plane at their backs.
He slouched into the seat, replaying what transpired. He wanted to get out of there. Fly far away to the island he'd bought. He hadn't packed for it but he could pick up everything he needed on the way. However, his mind landed on Emma. She was probably already on her way back to New York.
Basil appeared. "I see we've lost our passengers. Where to, sir?"
Will got to his feet.
"Change of plans."
Chapter 23
Emma
Emma lugged her suitcase to the curb. Bartholomew hadn't yet arrived for the day or perhaps Will gave him another day off. Benson hadn't returned from dropping Will off at the airstrip yet. She didn't thank them for everything and she hadn't even said goodbye to Will.
However, it was easier this way, slip out and be gone. Forget the whole thing happened. She'd get a cab and hope a flight was leaving Heathrow soon, bound for New York.
She knew if she didn't keep working, she was going to be out on the street, and at least back home, she had her sister. She'd find another job and work her way out of debt.
A woman in a red coat with an old dog leading her approached from down the lane. It was Charlotte. At least she should say goodbye to her. She waved at her new friend.
The dog met her first and gave a lazy sniff.
"Fancy meeting you here. This is Rupert." Charlotte gave the dog a pat. Her phone beeped. "Oh, no. It's my daughter's school. She had a short day. I forgot. I've been so—" She brushed her hand down the side of her face and fretted. "I was just bringing Rupert up." She pointed at the flat.
"Will just left for Morocco."
"How long will he be gone?"
"Two weeks, I think."
"That means he'll miss Sydney's memorial service, and I can't keep Rupert at my—"
Emma staggered back. "Wait. How do you know Will?"
"William Wheaton? Who lives here? He's my brother." Her eyebrows pinched together.
Then as understanding dawned, both of their eyes widened.
"You're the one dating Will?" Charlotte asked. "You're the auntie that Birdie wants to show her snow globe collection to?"
"Well, we were dating. Sort of. It was kinda crazy actually. His agent—" Emma quickly explained the scenario. "We weren't really together."
Charlotte laid her hand on Emma's arm. "No, it was real. At least to him. I hadn't seen him that happy in a long time, despite everything that was going on with Sydney." Her phone beeped again. "I have to dash." She passed Emma the leash. "I have to pick up Birdie. I'll be back soon."
Emma stood on the sidewalk with the leash in her hand.
She wasn't sure what to do.
Chapter 24
Will
Will was torn. He needed a break. Some time to think.
He could leave, fly anywhere in the world. The plane and pilot were ready.
He could go and fulfill his obligation with Nexxiss without Veronica and Jared. But that would mean he'd miss Sydney's funeral.
The old man's last wishes came back to him.
William, I'm going to miss you. I think I already do. I'll be leaving soon. I think you know that. You've done so much for me, taking care of me like this. Evelyn has been gone a long time now, but she brought me the greatest joy. I have one request to make of you. I want you to have the same happiness. Settle down with Emma. By the sounds of things, she brings that same smile to your lips as when you were a little boy, when you were free. Remember those hikes? I always knew it was good to get you out of the city." Sydney coughed. "You were strong then. You grew into a man who's even stronger than I could have hoped. But strength doesn't only come from pumping iron and fitness. Inner strength. And it doesn't only come from surviving something. Getting through a difficult situation. Sometimes strength comes from being brave and doing the things we're most afraid to do. Sometimes that thing is love.
The word love sent fear rippling through him, landing heavily in his stomach. What did he need? What was he missing? Why was he so afraid?
Just the night before Emma had wondered what dollar amount would be enough. He'd tied his own worth to his earnings. He was enough. She was enough.
And just like the night before, Will was brave. He could do it again. He'd be brave and earn her love instead of chasing more money and more fame.
He knew exactly what he had to do.
Chapter 25
Emma
Emma stood on the sidewalk with Rupert until her hands numbed from the cold. Of course, she'd packed her mittens somewhere in the depths of her suitcase. The dog nuzzled her leg. She patted his head but wasn't sure what to do. Would Bartholomew be back soon to look after Rupert? She could meet Charlotte and let the siblings figure out the situation. She wanted to leave but couldn't leave the dog stranded. She pressed her stiff hands together, praying for answers to that question and bigger ones.
Charlotte and William were brother and sister. How had that escaped her notice? She completely understood how Charlotte refused Will's offer to help her financially. However, Emma had been so preoccupied with her own problems she felt bad that she'd hardly thought about what Will and Charlotte must have been going through losing Sydney.
A raindrop plopped onto her nose. Then another and another. A man in a hat and trench coat approached from down the street. Perhaps he could look after the dog. She needed to leave before she changed her mind. The rain picked up and she dashed under the eaves of the building.
"Oh, Miss Jones," said a proper British voice from a few paces away. It was Bartholomew. "What are you doing in the rain? With Rupert? With your suitcase? You're not leaving us are you?" He sounded perplexed.
"I'm not sure. I mean I was, but then—"
He pulled out a key and said, "Come inside. We can't have you getting soaked. It'll be raining cats and dogs at any moment." He glanced at Rupert. "Sorry boy, it's an expression."
He toted her suitcase and she led the dog back the way she'd come.
Bartholomew settled in, got the dog a treat, and then invited Emma to sit in the kitchen. "I don't ordinarily mettle in Mr. Wheaton's affairs, but I have to ask, were his cookies eatable?"
Emma couldn't help but laugh. "Actually there were pretty good. There are some leftover."
/> "Ordinarily, he's a calamity in the kitchen," Bartholomew said as he fixed them both a cup of tea.
"Good to know."
"He's been a bit of a disaster lately. He didn't come home for a while. I supposed he tried to escape everything going on here. Of course, we were in touch, but he was so upset. So troubled. Then you came along."
"I think I only made things worse."
"Nonsense. It was gloomy around here for some time. Weather notwithstanding. I haven't seen him this alive in ages. Since your arrival, he skipped a few workouts, he finally smiled again, and he baked cookies."
"But he left for Morocco. Went on some job with Jared."
Bartholomew, ever polite and proper, pursed his lips. "If you ask me, and I know you didn't, but it's just us, so we can spill some tea—"
Emma gazed at her full cup.
Bartholomew lowered his voice. "It means gossip."
"Oh. Right. Whatever you say is between you and me and Rupert."
The butler smiled. "Right. There's something off about Jared. Never liked him. Never liked Veronica either so maybe I'm slow to warm to people." He took a sip of tea. "But I like you, Miss Jones. I believe I'm correct in saying Will does too. Now, I should see to my chores. You sit here and enjoy your tea. Ring if you need anything."
Emma needed some space. Time to think.
The front door opened and closed.
Rupert barked.
Someone's shoes squeaked along the wood floor and down the hall. Bartholomew was as stealthy as a cat, never making a peep. She feared it was the paparazzi, breaking in. She grabbed a cast iron skillet, crept to the entrance to the kitchen, and peeped out.
Wet footprints led toward her room. Bartholomew stashed her suitcase there. The guy wouldn’t go through her things, would he? Not that she had much, but still. She stepped slowly into the hall.
Will appeared in the doorway, his hair dripping wet.
They both looked at the frying pan.
"Making lunch?"