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  Noah was always so calm. Barely anything phased him. I had a lot of anger after my dad’s death, then later, I became angry at Emilia for hurting my mother. Noah has been here for me through everything and he always has a different perspective for me to consider.

  At work, he’s my guy. His charming personality smooths out my rough edges and he gets things done. He’s the only one left I trust entirely.

  After spending the first 20 minutes catching him up on everything since Emilia walked through my office door, I spent the next 10 minutes defending my choice to let her walk out of here last night with another man.

  Of course I left out Emilia’s punishment. There are just some things you don’t talk about when it concerns someone you care about, but Noah is completely aware of my interests and capabilities.

  Asking Noah to be the pallbearer for Adam was an easy decision. Adam included Noah on so many things, both business and personal and I know my friend admired him as much as I did.

  Then Noah started in on the office stories. Working at Connor Realty never felt like a job. I loved working with Adam and Noah and most of our management team are the best at what they do. Besides that, it was a great place to be and I can’t help but laugh at Noah’s recollection of Adam’s discussion with HR over one of our secretaries.

  As his laughter dies down, I hear the floor outside of the office creak and I know those footsteps can only belong to one person here.

  Calling Emilia in, I watch as she looks around the room and I notice her features soften at the both of us.

  Her eyes look heavy and I hope her reason for lack of sleep is only because her and Kyle were up talking all night and nothing more.

  It’s only when Emilia asks me directly who the other pallbearers are that I realize I’ve been daydreaming. Getting myself back into the conversation I answer her and I’m just about to suggest Adam’s nephew as the last pallbearer when she cuts me off.

  What about Kyle?

  My entire body prickles at the suggestion of Kyle as a pallbearer. Taking a quick look at Noah to confirm my apprehension and he shows no change in his expression as he glances back… a small reminder that I should hold my composure as well.

  I decide on a cautious approach to Emilia’s request. Kyle is not a good option. He doesn’t know Adam personally and I still have a bad feeling about him. I want to put my foot down and tell her no. She’s irrational and she’ll come to regret this decision.

  This isn’t how I wanted to start off my day with Emilia so I decide to tell her I will consider it when she cuts me off for a second time and I feel my patience wear thin.

  “I’ve told Kyle all about my dad. He’s not leaving me. He’s decided to move here to be with me.” Emilia’s words shock me to my core.

  I just finished telling Noah about Kyle leaving after the funeral. He was going back to school and she was going to get on with the life meant for her. This unexpected information slams into me and my ears begin to ring as my control breaks.

  “WHAT?” My question roars out of me. I no longer have time for her misguided interest in Kyle.

  I should never have allowed her to leave last night. I should have excused everyone at dinner but her and dealt with her then, in the dining room. Now Kyle has had the whole night to make these inane plans with her and she’s had no one there to look out for what’s best for her.

  “W-well, I mean, we talked about it and you said you transferred my classes over so easily. He said he would look at doing the same thing.” Her voice sounds more unsure than it did a minute ago.

  Good.

  A silence lingers between us as I begin to deal with Kyle in my head. One wrong word now and I could send Emilia running right back to him and I won’t allow her to gamble her inheritance on him.

  “That’s really thoughtful of him, Emilia. To consider moving here.” Noah speaks purposefully, breaking the tension and pulls her attention off of me long enough for me to get my head back in the game.

  More than ever, I’m thankful for my friend for staying. I don’t know how this would have ended if he wasn’t here.

  “It is.” she answers slowly then looks back to me and continues, “We’re going to discuss it more after the funeral. We were thinking we could get a place together, close by. Students don’t make much and I thought my allowance could go to our rent.”

  Taking a deep breath, I’ve gathered myself and my facade is back. “I think it’s great that he wants to support you, Emilia, but the terms are set. You will live under this roof for the year. We can discuss your allowance going to his accommodations after the funeral though. Why don’t you have him over for dinner on Wednesday? We’ll discuss the pallbearer then. Noah, would you like to join us?” Noah knows me well enough to know this isn’t a question and he instantly nods as I continue, “And Emilia, you could invite Rosalyn as well.”

  Emilia’s full lips part at my words. I know she was expecting a battle. What she doesn’t realize yet is I’ve already won the war.

  “Okay. Thank you. I’d like that.” Her smile returns to her face and I take the good timing to change the subject.

  “I’d like to order some flowers for the service. What do you think your father would have liked?” As I ask my question, I move around the desk and take a seat. Grabbing a piece of paper, I begin to write out some notes, but they aren’t for Adam’s funeral.

  Moving to sit down is an invitation for Emilia to join us or excuse herself and I already know what her choice will be by her body language.

  “He always loved lemon balm. I know it’s not a flower but he used to ask Sylvia to plant it outside his office window and along the deck every summer. For flowers, he wasn’t picky but my mother’s favorite flowers were forget-me-nots and tulips.” I forgot how Emilia’s smile used to soften every time she spoke about her mother.

  “Thank you. That is what I’ll order.” I answer, swallowing hard as my mouth has suddenly become dry.

  “You want to join us?” Noah asks Emilia as he takes his seat in front of the desk. I notice her place one foot behind her and I’m suddenly happy that I’ve begun to finally read her better.

  “No, thank you, Noah. I’ve got to put my things away. I’ll see you at dinner, Joshua.” I nod at her words and let her go.

  As the door closes, I allow my smile to leave with her.

  Looking over to Noah, I’m suddenly irritated by his smirk.

  “What?” I bark out to his chuckle.

  “Man, that one has really got you, doesn’t she? I mean… I’ve never seen anyone get under your skin so easily. It’s not often I get to watch my best friend lose his shit so quickly. And she has no idea, does she?” He asks and I have bigger fish to fry.

  “Shut up.” I retort and, ignoring his chortles, I keep going, “I want you to do something for me.” I say a little quieter and he leans forward, grabbing a mint from the bowl on the desk.

  “You want me to look into the kid?” He asks as though he already knows the answer.

  I confirm his question with a nod as I slide the paper I was writing on, across to Noah. “This is everything I know about him and I’ll text you the picture of his driver’s license I took for his hotel booking.” I finish as he reaches across the desk sliding the paper the rest of the way.

  “I’ll start making some calls.” He answers, pocketing my note. Then, leaning back in his chair, he takes a second to consider his next words and I wait for him to continue. “Can I give you some advice?”

  I breathe deep at his request. Noah’s advice is never sugar-coated and he’s almost always right. I don’t respond which is his cue to proceed.

  “From everything you’ve told me and everything I’ve seen, Emilia is a strong woman but I sense she doesn’t feel strong right now. She most likely feels lost and very much alone. People in those situations tend to cling to any support they can find. You both have this volatile history and there is a metric ton of angst between the two of you. If you want to be the one who helps her find her way back home, you need to unlearn some of your own lessons and let go of some of your own perceptions. What I’m trying to say is, over this next year, you’re going to need to do just as much work as she will if you want to be that one person for her.”

  I sit in silence with his words soaking in and I know he’s right. My own year isn’t going to be easy and I need to start with the acceptance that Kyle is probably a great guy who is becoming closer to the woman who barely tolerates me right now.

  We need to begin undoing years of our own assumptions and I need to start by pulling apart our roots and repairing our foundation.

  While Emilia learns the company, I will learn her.

  Then I will earn her.

  23

  Emilia

  “Now all that’s left to talk about before we break for lunch is the annual corporate dinner.” Joshua has been all business since we got to the office this morning.

  After arriving at the house yesterday to find him and Noah discussing the funeral, I spent the afternoon unpacking and sitting outside in the yard by myself. Joshua gave me some space and our dinner was fairly quiet with only a few general questions from Joshua about my time away at school.

  The morning on campus was uneventful and it turns out my course load will be lighter than the one I had back home. Joshua was able to negotiate my internship at work in exchange for a large chunk of the remaining credits I need so I’m doing to two classes in the morning and the rest is hands on experience.

  After a quick tour of the office, including the new floor expansion, we got to work. While the tech team set up my clearance and passwords, Joshua shared the company’s latest news and growth projections. An outline of my responsibilities was reviewed and I have to say, my workload is disappointingly light, but Joshua explained I’ll have more duties before I know it and right now, our priorities are my dad’s funeral and getting settled into my school courses.

  “When is the dinner?” I ask, now aware of how much I don’t know about my father’s company.

  “It is scheduled for two weeks from now. The last Friday of the month. In light of our current situation, would you like to look at rescheduling?” He asks as he keeps his eyes on the paper resting on the desk in front of him.

  A part of me wants to reschedule and another part of me doesn’t want to have it at all. This was my father’s favorite work event. He used to talk about it for months. Recognizing his coworkers for their achievements meant everything to him and I don’t know if I can get through something so important without him.

  But it isn’t about me. I know my dad would want the night to go on.

  “No. The date is fine. Thank you.” I answer and Joshua sits back in his chair examining my face for a moment before returning to his original position.

  “Very well. If you are up to it, I would like you to present the staff awards this year on Adam’s behalf.” Joshua’s request catches me off-guard.

  I haven’t been an employee at my father’s company for a day yet and he is asking me to do this for him.

  “Yes, I’d like to do that for you… I mean, for my father.” I answer eagerly then wince at my misspoken words.

  I feel my stomach knot in excitement and I suddenly guard myself.

  I am not doing this for Joshua, I am doing this for my father. My voice chastises me to get my thoughts together and focus.

  “Wonderful.” If Joshua heard me correctly, he didn’t show it and I breathe a deep sigh of relief as he writes some notes down in his little book. As his pen moves across the paper, I notice the edge of his mouth curve up in a subtle smile and I’m instantly happy with myself for making him happy.

  “Mr. Darkly. There’s a gentleman here for Ms. Connor. He says they have a date for lunch.” The secretary’s voice speaks through the phone and Joshua looks up to me for confirmation.

  “That must be Kyle. I told him to wait downstairs. Sorry.” I mouth out my apology and Joshua presses the intercom to respond.

  “We’re just wrapping up. Send him in.” Then releasing the button he speaks under his breath. “He’s not good at following orders is he?” And I shrug at his observation and rise to gather my things as the door opens.

  “So this is where you work. Hello, Honey.” Kyle, all smiles makes his way across to me and leans in for a kiss. Shifting my head to the side, I silently hope he’ll just kiss my cheek and he does.

  Now that I’m at the company I plan on owning one day, I need to keep a professional appearance at work and making out with your boyfriend doesn’t fit my new narrative.

  “Hello, Joshua. This is a nice office.” Kyle breaks away and reaches his hand out to greet Joshua.

  I notice the smallest hesitation in Joshua, no doubt because our meeting ended a little quicker than he planned, then he stands and meets Kyle’s shake.

  “Kyle. It’s nice to see you again.” He responds and I place my hand on Kyle’s arm, hoping to pull him to the door.

  “Thanks. Did Emilia tell you the good news?” Kyle beams and I jump in before Joshua can ask what he’s talking about.

  “Um, not yet. We’ve been busy at work and I haven’t had the time.” I offer my lame excuse.

  I’d like to convince myself the reason I haven’t told Joshua the news yet because we were both so busy with work, but I know that is a lie. I received Kyle’s text a little over an hour ago when we were driving in the car back to the office.

  We were both sitting quietly in the back seat. I had every chance I needed to say something. And I didn’t. I don’t know why I didn’t.

  When we left the university, I felt a little different. Joshua came with me to speak with the instructors. I became overwhelmed with the thought of starting over at a new school and the loss of my dad and Joshua took over for me. He asked all of the right questions—questions I would never have thought to ask. Questions that only benefitted me.

  For awhile, I felt as though he was taking care of me. It felt like he was looking out for me. And I felt great.

  Then as we drove back to the office, I was just about to thank him for his help when my phone buzzed. It was Kyle with his good news.

  Only receiving it didn’t feel so good at the time, and I said nothing. Instead I sat quietly staring at the screen of my phone long after it turned itself off.

  “Well, we have some time now. What is this good news?” Joshua asks, glancing between the two of us and I suddenly don’t want to be the one to answer him.

  “I was able to transfer to the other university here in town to finish my studies and be with Emilia.” Kyle responds and I stand quietly between them.

  I watch Joshua process Kyle’s words and his demeanor is different from yesterday. Today he seems more collected and I can’t tell what he’s thinking.

  In a different world, these two would never be friends. I am the only thing they have in common and they are complete opposites in everything from their physical appearance to their business choices and their personality.

  Kyle has always catered to me. He listened to me when I spoke. My last year before I went off to university was a struggle. I couldn’t talk to Sylvia about what was going on because I know she’d make me tell my father and I knew it would crush him. I had tried one night to talk to Joshua about it but that ended badly and I knew I could never trust him with anything. So Rosalyn heard it all. She sat with me between all of the tears and she promised to keep all of my secrets.

  Sharing with Kyle is different. He listened. I never told him everything, but I knew if I needed, he would just let me speak and I would be heard. It’s probably all of his psychology courses.

  Joshua’s muscular physique is more prominent standing beside Kyle’s lithe frame. His posture is more purposeful where Kyle always looks a little more aloof and casual.

  “Interesting. You must have some friends in high places to be transferred so quickly. It took a lot of groundwork for us to get Emilia registered over half way through the school year.” Joshua responds slowly and I shift my stare back to Kyle.

  In all truth, I hadn’t realized how difficult it must have been to get me into classes that were probably full and already half done. Suddenly I become aware at just how hard Joshua worked to pull me back here.

  As I prepared to travel back and settle my father’s estate, he was already working to keep me here. It was never going to work out the way I imagined it would and Joshua knew that from the start.

  “More luck really. The psychology department here is down a couple of TA’s and I had my instructor make a call. It’s too bad we can’t be at the same university, but we are together and that is what matters. Right, Emilia?” Kyle responds as he hangs his arm over my shoulder and squeezes me into him and the embrace feels momentarily possessive.

  At his question, I watch as Joshua’s eyes travel back to me and it feels like he’s challenging me to answer. So I do.

  “Right.” I smile at Kyle then drop my gaze to the floor.

  Why do I feel like I’ve done something wrong?

  “I’m just excited we can be together after all. Isn’t it wonderful, Joshua?” Kyle’s question feels awkward and I suddenly sense he’s overstayed his welcome in the office.

  The air feels almost unbreathable and Joshua’s stare is beginning to weigh me down.

  Before Joshua answers, I break away and pull Kyle to the door.

  “I’m hungry. Let’s get lunch. I’ll tell you all about the new school over a sandwich.” I say as I reach out for the door when I hear Joshua clear his throat.

  “Dinner on Wednesday, Emilia?” Joshua reminds me and I keep moving out of the office.

  “Right, I’ll ask them and let you know.” I answer loud enough that he can hear me from his office.

  Dropping my notebook on my new desk, I pull open the drawer and grab my bag as Kyle stops beside me with one hand on my arm.

  Kyle normally isn’t publicly affectionate and his touch feels awkward when I glance back to the office I just left to see Joshua standing in the open doorway, watching us. All of the sudden this PDA feels more like it is meant for Joshua’s benefit rather than my own.