the chefs choice

8/13/2019 The Chefs Choice

1/39

The Chef's Choiceby Josephine Kent

Romance/Short Story

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 20! by Josephine Kent

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Than" yo# for down$oading this eboo"% This eboo" is $icensed for yo#r persona$ en&oyment on$y% This

eboo" may not be reso$d or gi(en away to other peop$e% )f yo# wo#$d $i"e to share this boo" with another

person* p$ease p#rchase an additiona$ copy for each person% )f yo# are reading this boo" and did not

p#rchase it* or it was not p#rchased for yo#r #se on$y* then p$ease ret#rn to smashwords%com and p#rchaseyo#r own copy%

Than" yo# for yo#r s#pport* and for respecting the hard wor" of this a#thor%

This boo" is a wor" of fiction* and any resemb$ance to persons $i(ing or dead is p#re$y coincidenta$%

Dedication

To the women who ha(e no idea of how tr#$y bea#tif#$ they are% The on$y thing yo#r $o(ed ones need

from yo# is that yo# be the best (ersion of yo#rse$f that yo# can en(ision% )f $ife's not going the way yo#

imagined* then change the things yo# can* and $o(e the things yo# can't% +nd chec" yo#rse$f o#t in the

mirror e(ery now and again%

Please return to Smashwords.com to discover other works by this author.

Chapter 1

This coming ,ctober* Emi$$e Carter wo#$d t#rn thirtyfi(e years o$d% +nd for her thirtyfifth

birthday* Emi$$e wanted on$y one thing% To fee$ $i"e the most bea#tif#$ woman in the wor$d%

Rea$$y* a$$ she wanted for her birthday was to get good and proper$y $aid%

)n order for that to happen* she needed a man% Tho#gh she "new any n#mber of gorgeo#s*

e$igib$e men* none of them were interested in a gir$ $i"e her% +nd e(en if they were* she wo#$dn't

be$ie(e it% -ea#tif#$ men $i"e the ones she h#ng o#t with did not go after a(erage gir$s* m#ch $ess

women that were a few po#nds abovea(erage%

Ta"e .eter as an eamp$e% .eter was one of (ery few men that she co#$d act#a$$y $oo" #p at%

Jac"son* a(id* 1athanae$ and Ryce were more on her $e(e$ heightwise* b#t .eter was ta$$ and

reed thin to their more h#s"y* m#sc#$ar b#i$ds% 1ot to say he wasn't fit% e'd ha(e to be* as

ath$etic as he was% .eter trained for competiti(e sports* whi$e the other g#ys trained for fitness%

1athanae$'s physi3#e was d#e to his great genes% e was perpet#a$$y on the h#nt for co#gar* b#t

either Emi$$e was too big of a bait* or too sma$$% +nd Ryce4 5e$$* no one "new eact$y what Ryce

did to $oo" $i"e a god% -#t he eisted on a strict regimen of mode$s* actresses* gro#pies* a$$ of

whom had to be fo#rteen "arat and abo(e% Jac" $i"ed a $i(e$y* angry woman% 6ore acc#rate$y* he

made t#rned them into hosti$e bit S#ffice it to say* if he was herboyfriend* she'd d#mp him

within twentyfo#r ho#rs% -#t hey* women fe$$ for him $i"e rain% +nd he c$aimed to be faithf#$whi$e he was with them% a(id4 5e$$* she'd ne(er act#a$$y seen him with a woman% -#t then

again a(id was $i"e a tomcat% 7o# heard some noise abo#t him* b#t yo# ne(er saw him in action%

Therefore* no one "new what "ind of woman he preferred%


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.eter's gir$friends were of a c$ass entire$y different% They tended to be the wi$$ow thin wisps

with waist$ines as wide as one of Emi$$e's an"$es% They practiced yoga* co#$d benchpress a

b#ffa$o* and hai$ed roc" c$imbing in 8tah as their idea$ date% .eter's gir$friends dietedon pasta

instead of sa$ads% .eter's gir$friends ifthey had breasts had breasts that nat#ra$$y defied gra(ity%

They had breasts that a#gmenters #sed as eamp$es of the idea$% .eter's gir$friends ne(er had totwist themse$(es into aw"ward positions in the mirror in order to ma"e s#re that their ass ce$$#$ite

wasn9t showing thro#gh the fabric of their c$othes% .eter's gir$friends didn't ha(e #pper arms thatwere bigger than their faces%

.eter's gir$friends were perfect%

Emi$$e hatedthe bitches.

.eter was perfect% e was the most caring* ta$ented* "ind* handsome man she "new%

Emi$$e had years of eperience in "nowing eact$y what it wo#$d ta"e to catch the attention

of an ama:ing g#y $i"e .eter% +$$ she wo#$d need was e(erything she wasn't%

Since she was not e3#ipped to nab a g#y $i"e .eter* Emi$$e decided to go after something

more attainab$e%

;ey* Jeff*; she smi$ed sweet$y as she stood in the doorway of the office across from hers%

The office had been .eter's years before when she'd started with Orson and Son Electrical

Engineering, Inc. fifteen years before%

;ey* Em*; Jeff Stafford rep$ied witho#t $oo"ing #p from the b$#eprints on his des"%;-ea#tif#$ day o#t% )sn't it4;

Ta"ing that as an in(itation* Emi$$e stepped c$oser to the office% ;7es% 7es* it is%;

+fter ma"ing a few scribb$es on his notepad* Jeff sat #p in his chair and ga(e her his f#$$

attention% ;5hat can ) do for yo#* Emi$$e4;This is it,she tho#ght. The land of no return% Co#$d she do it4 Jeff wasn't what one wo#$d

describe as good $oo"ing% 5e$$< he was% -#t yo# had to $oo" beneath that morning m#c#s that

he hadn't 3#ite gotten o#t of his right eye% +nd yo# had to $oo" past the $egion of b$ac"heads on

his nose and chee"s% +nd yo# had to ignore the fact that a thirtyeight year o$d man sometimes

forgot to br#sh his teeth% -#t* #nderneath a$$ that* Jeff was act#a$$y a high$y inte$$igent h#n"% +

gir$ wo#$d st ha(e to c$ean him #p% Jeff was $i"e< Jeff was $i"e sharing a$$ yo#r coo"ies with

yo#r friends* and then the $ast one in the pac"age fa$$s to the gro#nd% e was what stood between

the roc" and the hard p$ace where yo# either pic"ed #p yo#r coo"ie and fo$$owed the ten secondr#$e* or $eft it there on the gro#nd and did witho#t% +$$ Emi$$e wanted for her birthday was a

coo"ie%

;8m* Jeff


3/39

accept her in(itation* and they'd ha(e a $ong and s#ccessf#$ re$ationship as friends%Just. Friends.

;Jackson's Mark% That's that stea"ho#se with the waiting $ist%;

Emi$$e smi$ed and nodded% TheMarkhad gotten pretty pop#$ar o(er the past two years* e(en

tho#gh it had been in b#siness for fo#r years now% =ate$y* they had a waiting $ist for reser(ations*

b#t Emi$$e was an insider% 6anagement reser(ed a certain tab$e for specia$ g#ests% Tab$e n#mbertwe$(e was a$ways a(ai$ab$e to her on 5ednesdays% ;7es*; she answered%

;)'(e been wanting to try that p$ace o#t% +re they as good as the r#mors ma"e them o#t tobe4;

She co#$dn't he$p the pride in her (oice* and the hea(y$idded "nowita$$ epression on her

face as she pro#d$y rep$ied* ;-etter% -#t then again* )'m biased%;

Jeff's grin was so wide* his g$asses act#a$$y s$id bac" uhis nose% ;)'m not abo#t to s"ip on a

chance to eat at the finest stea"ho#se in town*; he admitted% ;5hat time were yo# thin"ing4;

;)'$$ meet yo# there at se(enthirty%; That wo#$d gi(e her eno#gh time to go home and change

into something a $itt$e more datefriend$y% Tho#gh she #s#a$$y ate a$one at the Mark, the g#ys

didn't need to "now that this was a 'J#st >riends' dinner%

Chapter

;.eter* yo#r gir$'s here*; Jac"son anno#nced as he wa$"ed into the b#sy "itchen of his

stea"ho#se%Chef .eter +n&o# didn't ha(e to as" whohis friend referred to% Emi$$e had been the faithf#$

patroness of his c#$inary creations since e(en before .eter had decided to $ea(e his career as an

e$ectrica$ engineer in order to become a chef% )t was 5ednesday night* and Emi$$e was spending

the night doing what she'd been spending her 5ednesday nights doing for the fifteen years that

they'd "nown each other% She was eating where(er and whate(er .eter was coo"ing%

Technica$$y* Jac" had a say in what was fed to his g#ests% +nd it was .eter's responsibi$ity to

prepare the men# and stic" to it% owe(er* there was an #nwritten #nderstanding when it came to

Emi$$e% .eter c$aimed carte b$anche to prepare her mea$s off the men#% e p$anned these5ednesday night dinners with care and precision* beca#se Emi$$e ne(er fai$ed to show #p for

them% e sti$$ didn't #nderstand why it was so important to her that she s#pport him $i"e this* b#t

.eter was gratef#$ for the wee"$y diner at tab$e n#mber twe$(e% +s $ong as she had his bac"* he'd

contin#e to en&oy his career%

;She's $oo"ing good too*; Jac" commented mi$d$y as he washed his hands%

;She a$ways $oo"s good*; .eter rep$ied%;7eah% -#t she $oo"s bea#tif#$ tonight%;

Emi$$e was a big gir$% Si feet and two inches ta$$* and three h#ndred and twentysomething

po#nds of big% She had a nice shape for someone her si:e* b#t it was #s#a$$y b#ried beneath $ayers

and $ayers and $ayers of c$othing% espite her efforts to hide beneath mo#nds of c$othes* Emi$$eco#$dn't rea$$y change her nat#re% She $o(ed fashion and made #p for her poor choice of c$othing

with impeccab$y maintained hair* nai$s* and ma"e#p% 7o# co#$dn't fai$ to rea$i:e she was an (erybea#tif#$ woman%

S#bse3#ent$y* she'd set herse$f #p for peop$e fee$ing free to te$$ her she'd be a gorgeo#s gir$*

;


4/39

ca#ght this on S#nday*; he said* nodding toward the fish with a sma$$ smir"%

Jac" $et o#t a $ow whist$e of appreciation% .eter went fishing e(ery S#nday morning%

,ccasiona$$y* his friends wo#$d &oin him% 6ost often it was st him and Emi$$e% )f he "new his

friend* and after near$y ten years of "nowing each other Jac" fig#red he "new .eter pretty we$$*

Emi$$e was the on$y woman he'd e(er in(ited to &oin them%;7eah*; .eter was saying% ;) promised her )'d gri$$ this baby #p for her tonight%; eft$y* he

began to fi$$et the fish% ;) tho#ght )'d ser(e it with a sa(ory herb risotto* nothing tooo(erpowering% +nd an ar#ga$a and baby spinach sa$ad%; e $oo"ed #p to see his friend nodding in

appro(a$% ;)t's $ight* ) "now% -#t ) fig#red )'d ma"e #p for that by ma"ing that choco$ate raspberry

tart she $i"es%; 1odding toward his dropdrawer* .eter said* ;The bi$$'s in there% .#t it on my tab

and te$$ her it's comped* wi$$ yo#4;

The s$ight raising of a brow was Jac"'s first response* then he p#rsed his $ips in an 'If "ou sa"

so' epression.e too" the bi$$ o#t of the drawer where .eter "ept his notes and stationary and

too" his time $oo"ing it o(er% >ina$$y* #nab$e to "eep it in any $onger* he as"ed* ;7o# do "now

she's on a date tonight% Right4;

.eter a$most s$iced off a finger%

;) ta"e it she didn't te$$ yo#4;

;8h* yeah% She said something abo#t bringing some g#y from wor"%; e started wor"ing on

something e$se% 5ednesdays were a sort of brea" for him% is so#schefs were a$$ fami$iar withthe men#* and ecept for the occasiona$ in3#iries* they didn't need to chec" with him abo#t m#ch%

+s a team* he and Jac" ran a (ery tight ship% .eter "ept a c$ose eye on e(eryone* b#t he was on

#o $ot #isturbwhen Emi$$e ate at the resta#rant%

;7eah% 5e$$% )t $oo"s $i"e she $i"es him%;.eter's feat#res were ne#tra$ as he as"ed* ;ow co#$d yo# te$$4;

Emi$$e and Jac" weren't bosom b#ddies* b#t they'd become fast friends o(er the years beca#se

of .eter% +nd anyone who "new Emi$$e on that $e(e$ "new that a man was the $ast thing on her

mind% )n fact* other than a few sporadic inter$#des* Emi$$e ne(er rea$$y "ept a man aro#nd% 6aybe

it was beca#se she had .eter* Jac"* a(id* and 1athanae$% +nd of co#rse* Ryce* whene(er he was

bac" in town%

Jac" tipped his head bac" and grinned% ;She's wearing red%;

This time* .eter near$y spi$$ed a pot of hot water o(er on himse$f% -$ac" was the name of thegame for Emi$$e% e tried hard* b#t he co#$dn't remember e(er seeing her in anything b#t b$ac"%

6aybe na(y* or brown% 6aybe a mishmash of b$ac"ish co$ors on a b$ac" base% -#t ne(er anything

as bright as red%

;+re yo# ta$"ing abo#t her $ipstic"4; he as"ed* beca#se then that wo#$dn't be so strange%

;1ope*; Jac" sm#g$y rep$ied% is $ips c#r$ed and his eyes narrowed as he roc"ed his head

from side to side reciting in an anno#ncer's (oice* ;She's wearing a bright red dress with a s$in"y$itt$e b$ac" bo$ero* and an >me pair of $eopard print shoes with red hee$s%;

.eter went a$ong with it #p #nti$ Jac" started describing the shoes* beca#se as inconcei(ab$e

as it was that Emi$$e might de(iate from the b$ac"* it was high$y #n$i"e$y that she'd be wearing

p#mps% She had stopped wearing anything higher than f#$$y f$at abo#t a decade before% .eterwo#$d "now since he fo#nd nothing in the wor$d seier than a ta$$ woman in ta$$ hee$s% e co#$d

e(en gi(e an approimate ro#nding of the year he'd $ast seen her in f$ats beca#se it was aro#ndthe same time that her weight had gone off the rai$s a$most o(ernight%

;)'$$ stop by her tab$e once she's done eating*; he said need$ess$y% e a$ways stopped by her

tab$e before she $eft%

;,"ay*; Jac" said* before he t#rned and departed thro#gh the swinging doors%


5/39

Chapter !

>or some reason* whi$e he wor"ed .eter spent the net ho#r and a ha$f ref$ecting on

e(erything Jac" had to$d him abo#t Emi$$e tonight% 5as she rea$$y wearing red4 5as she wearing

hee$s4 id she rea$$y $i"e this g#y that she'd bro#ght to dinner tonight4 She'd mentioned that hewo#$d be coming with her* b#t who had done the in(iting4Jackson's Markwas Emi$$e's spot% ad

she been the one to as" this g#y o#t4;They're done* Chef*; Emi$$e's waitress informed him as she posted another order%

;+$right*; he rep$ied% ;Than"s* Cath$een%;

-#rning with c#riosity* .eter $eft the "itchen%

Jac" stopped him st o#tside the swinging doors% ;1o #se p#$$ing the big brother ro#tine*; he

ad(ised% ;This one's not her type%;

.eter co#$dn't pre(ent the eha$ed $a#gh% 1o one rea$$y "new what Emi$$e's type was* b#t

Jac" was con(inced he "new her preferences% ,n top of Jac"'s $ist was 'a (ery ta$$ man%' is $ogic

was that etreme$y ta$$ men were rare* so that's why Emi$$e co#$dn't find one% >rom what .eter

co#$d see of his sho#$der height* the g#y sitting across the tab$e from Emi$$e was abo#t si feet*

which was ta$$% )n most circ$es%

e strode across the room and positioned himse$f behind Emi$$e's chair% is $ong arms

wrapped aro#nd her sho#$ders as he p$anted a smac"ing "iss against her chee"%She s#c"ed her teeth in p$ayf#$ annoyance* b#t he st ch#c"$ed against her face%

;,h% )t's st yo#*; Emi$$e said in a bored tone that be$$ied the happiness in her eyes% ;)

tho#ght for s#re wayne Johnson had fina$$y $eft his ewife and decided to come find the

woman of his dreams%; +s she'd intended* both men $a#ghed at her 3#ip% ;Jeff Stafford* )'d $i"eyo# to meet Chef .eter +n&o#*; she introd#ced% ;.eter* this is Jeff% e's the one that rep$aced

yo#%;

.eter* who had been p$easant$y sha"ing Jeff's hand* sw#ng his head aro#nd to $e(e$ a $oo" on

Emi$$e% 5hat did she mean by that4 She was so snea"y with her words* yo# ne(er 3#ite "new

what she meant% +ny of the patrons in the resta#rant hearing her now wo#$d thin" that there was

more to her words% -#t* the tr#th was* other than a mi$d f$irtation when they'd first met* there was

no attraction there between him and Emi$$e% She was his b#ddy% The one he ca$$ed #p when he

needed company for a $owpress#re acti(ity $i"e a mo(ie when he was between gir$friends% +ndhe was the g#y she ca$$ed #p for e(ents that re3#ired a date%

She recogni:ed the $oo" he'd gi(en her* beca#se Emi$$e r#shed to ep$ain* ;e's one of the

engineers at Orson and Sons. e's got yo#r o$d office%;

;,h4; he grinned* t#rning his attention bac" to Jeff% ;a(e yo# fo#nd the p$#gin coo$er

behind the fi$ing cabinet4;

;7ep*; Jeff said with a $a#gh% ;Em here showed it to me on my first day%;;id she4 Em's a$ways been a he$pf#$ $ady%; The coo$er was Emi$$e's idea% )t was where

they'd "ept their $#nch whene(er .eter decided to practice a new dish%

Emi$$e's $ips were p#rsed tight as she a(oided .eter's ga:e%

;She is% 7o# $eft a big gap when yo# resigned*; Jeff contin#ed to say% ;)f it wasn't for her* )thin" )'d ha(e had a m#ch harder time fitting in o(er there%;

;1o


6/39

fact* .eter wo#$d m#ch rather she remain sing$e than date anyone who didn't "now her worth%

;) made p$ans for this wee"end%;

.eter had a system% e ne(er had s$eepo(ers on Sat#rday nights beca#se he went fishing on

S#nday mornings% Sometimes his other friends &oined him% -#t most of the time* it was st him

and Emi$$e o#t on the water% So* it wasn't #nreasonab$e for him to epect that Emi$$e wo#$d bethere this coming S#nday morning%

;5hat "ind of p$ans4; he as"ed* once she was on her feet%;8nbrea"ab$e p$ans*; she rep$ied crisp$y%

>or the first time since he'd $eft the "itchen* .eter too" a good $oo" at what Emi$$e was

wearing% Jac"son hadn't $ied% Emi$$e was indeed wearing a bright red dress% )t e(en $oo"ed $i"e a

ha$ter* b#t he co#$dn't te$$ beca#se of the $itt$e &ac"et she was wearing% 5hat he did notice was the

epanse of creamy white c$ea(age% e'd a$ways "nown that she had a si:eab$e bosom* b#t things

$i"e that were easy to forget when they were so we$$ hidden% 5ith her smo"y eyes and matching

red $ipstic"* she had p#t a good dea$ of effort into $oo"ing good tonight% +fter a 3#ic" g$ance at

her companion* .eter started thin"ing that maybe Jac"son's first impression was right% 6aybe

Emi$$e rea$$y was serio#s$y into this gu"% e r#bbed his chin tho#ghtf#$$y% )f that was the case*

then good for her% -#t he co#$dn't he$p the fee$ing of $oss that came o(er him% She was a$ready

cance$$ing their fishing trips to spend time with this gu"% 1et thing she'd be ca$$ing to cance$

dinner on 5ednesdays% She'd a$ready as"ed him if the fish wo#$d be eno#gh to share with thisgu"% 5hat net4

.er(erse$y* he too" a step bac" to chec" o#t her shoes% S#re eno#gh* she was wearing a

wic"ed pair of $eopard print sti$ettos% e hadn't e(en remembered that Em had s#ch shape$y

ca$(es% )f that didn't confirm it* then nothing wo#$d% e co#$d bare$y remember ever seeing herca$(es%

;7o# $oo" nice*; he said* abr#pt$y changing the con(ersation%

Emi$$e b$in"ed at him% ;Thanks4;

;ey*; he pointed o(er his sho#$der% ;)'(e got to get bac" to wor"% =et me "now when yo#'re

ready to come o#t again% )t wi$$ sti$$ be yo#r t#rn to bring $#nch%;

;,"ay*; she said on an eha$ed breath% ;) wi$$%;

.eter reached o#t to sha"e the other man's hand% ;Jeff* it was a p$eas#re to meet yo#% on't be

a stranger aro#nd here%;Jeff accepted the handsha"e with a wry smi$e% ;) wo#$d* if it wasn't so hard to get reser(ations

to this p$ace%;

-eca#se .eter "new deep down in his heart he wanted this to be the first and $ast time he e(er

saw Jeff Stafford* he didn't pretend that the other man co#$d #se their association to get

reser(ations% ;7eah*; he said with fa$se p$easantry% ;)t's the "ind of p$ace that peop$e come bac"

to%; 5ith one $ast win" at Emi$$e* .eter t#rned to $ea(e%Emi$$e watched him wa$" away* a p#::$ed frown on her face% 5hen she'd changed her p$ans

for this coming S#nday* she hadn't tho#ght that it wo#$d matter a$$ that m#ch to .eter if she wasn't

there to go fishing with him% +$$ she'd wanted was a day at home to re$a and en&oy her own

company% 6ost of the time* they spend a$$ morning o#t on his boat* not e(en echanging propersentences% 1ot e(en rea$$y fishing% J#st ta"ing the morning to decompress% J#dging by the way he

was acting now* she wasn't so s#re that her company wasn't as important to him as it was to her%She stepped away from the tab$e* her hand etended as if she co#$d reach o#t and stop him from

wa$"ing away%%eter, are "ou oka"&That's a$$ she intended to say%

;.e;

e sw#ng aro#nd 3#ic"$y* instincti(e$y grabbing for her hand% -#t it was too $ate% They were

too far apart%


7/39


8/39

Em4;

)n that instant* she $oo"ed #p and met .eter's ga:e% )t was as if they had an entire con(ersation

in that one $oo"%

;5rap yo#r arms aro#nd my nec"*; he said* $eaning his head c$ose so she co#$d comp$y% ;)'$$

ta"e yo# to the E%R%;;1o*; she said st as soft$y% ;J#st pass me a chair* and )'$$ he$p myse$f #p%;

.eter b#ried his face in the g$ossy b$ac" wa(es at her temp$e% ;Tr#st me*; he ca&o$ed%S$ow$y* Emi$$e wrapped her arms aro#nd the firm co$#mn of his nec"% She did it beca#se he'd

as"ed her to tr#st him% )t was ne(er a matter of whether or not she co#$d% )n the fifteen or so years

that they'd been friends* .eter had ne(er done anything to embarrass her% She tr#sted him so m#ch

that she didn't e(en notice when he p$aced his arm beneath her "nees* ma"ing s#re to t#c" her

dress for modesty% )t was on$y when he was ha$fway to his feet that she rea$i:ed he wasn't mere$y

he$ping her to stand% .eter f#$$y intended to carr"her%

;.eter* no(; she hissed* scramb$ing to get o#t of his arms% Emi$$e was wi$$ing to t#mb$e right

bac" onto another tab$e if it meant no one wo#$d witness .eter hissing and whee:ing as he

r#pt#red his sp$een attempting to carry her%

5hene(er anyone did something to annoy him* .eter had this $oo"% e had this way of

pa#sing a$$ acti(ity to gi(e yo# his f#$$ attention% +nd if yo# were smart eno#gh to recogni:e that

yo#'d done something to irritate him* yo# were probab$y smart eno#gh to rea$i:e yo# didn't wanthis foc#s on yo#% Emi$$e had dodged her way aro#nd it ear$ier tonight with sass and brash% -#t

there was no escaping the $oo" now% Especia$$y since the man wearing it was ho$ding her semi

s#spended as if he had a$$ the time in the wor$d% Especia$$y if he $oo"ed $i"e he'd st drop her if

she said the wrong thing%)re "ou going to let e do this&that $oo" as"ed%

She t#rned to Jac"son for he$p% -#t* that was in (ain* beca#se Jac" was $oo"ing at .eter with

shoc" and awe $i"e he was seeing a s#perhero in action% e$p$ess$y* she t#rned to Jeff% -#t Jeff

was gaping open$y too% Emi$$e "new what they were thin"ing% They were a$$ thin"ing the same

thing%Even her% She had (isions of an ant trying to carry an e$ephant% e might be sma$$ and

mighty* b#t a tragedy was bo#nd to occ#r% There was no way to stop it from happening beca#se

.eter was wearing that epression* and no amo#nt of fast ta$"ing wo#$d ma"e him re$ease her% +$$

that was $eft for Emi$$e to do was re$a and $et the disaster contin#e to #nfo$d%-#t .eter s#rprised e(eryone in the resta#rant%

,b(io#s$y* it wasn't an easy feat for him to rise from a s3#at with Emi$$e in his arms% + dot of

sweat e(en bro"e o#t abo(e his top $ip beca#se of it% Emi$$e co#$d see it* beca#se she was so c$ose

to him% -#t he didn't p#t her on a chair once he was #p% .eter act#a$$y carried her o#t of the

resta#rant and across the par"ing $ot to his car% The distance wasn't far by norma$ standards% ,n$y*

it was a wor$d away to Emi$$e% e carried her as if%%% She% 5eighed% $othing% She was aware ofthe tr#th tho#gh% She co#$d fee$ the tension in his m#sc$es and hear the way he caref#$$y

contro$$ed his breathing as if this was a session of yoga or something%

5hen they reached his car he caref#$$y $owered her to the gro#nd beca#se he needed to chec"

his poc"ets for his "eys% e c#rsed #nder his breath when his poc"ets came #p empty% e'd $efthis "eys in the drawer%

;)'(e got to go grab my "eys% =ean against the car% Stay right here and "eep yo#r weight offthat an"$e*; he to$d Emi$$e% )t was probab$y the most insensiti(e thing he'd e(er said to her* b#t

Emi$$e co#$dn't say anything abo#t it when he didn't seem to notice she fe$t bad%

;) can't $ea(e my car here*; she protested%

;)'$$ drop it off in the morning%;

e wassofr#strating% ;5hy are yo# being so nice4;

is brows rose moc"ing$y% ;.ardon me% ) tho#ght friends $oo"ed o#t for each other%;

;) ha(e her p#rse*; Jeff anno#nced from behind him%

>or her part* Emi$$e wanted to forget that he'd been present for tonight's episode of The


9/39

Twilight *one% She didn't $oo" anywhere near Jeff's face as she reached for her p#rse% She co#$dn't

imagine how she'd face him tomorrow in the harsh $ight of day% 6aybe she'd ca$$ in sic"%

-efore Emi$$e co#$d ta"e her p#rse* .eter intercepted the mo(e%

;ey* .eter@; Jac" ca$$ed as he &ogged across the par"ing $ot% ;7o# forgot yo#r "eys@; +s he

drew c$oser* he said in a $ow (oice* ;on't worry% )'(e got e(erything co(ered here%; e s$appedthe ring into .eter's hand% ;7o# s#re yo#'re doing o"ay* "iddo4; he as"ed* ti$ting his head to

inspect Emi$$e%Emi$$e ro$$ed her eyes at that% She was a good fi(e years o$der than Jac"% ;)'$$ be o"ay* Jac"%

)'$$ st p#t some ice on it once ) get home%;

;7o#'$$ do whate(er the doctor orders*; .eter informed her as he opened the door and handed

her inside% e didn't say anything* b#t Emi$$e winced as the car s#n" to the right #nder her

weight% e t#rned bac" to Jeff% ;7o# coming4;

;1o@; The word was o#t of her mo#th before she co#$d thin" abo#t it% ;) mean*; she said*

;yo# go home% )'$$ be fine* )'m s#re%;

;)f yo#'re not coming* )'m going to ta"e her to get that an"$e chec"ed o#t*; .eter snapped

short$y% e didn't wait aro#nd to etend another in(itation% The man was c$ear$y #se$ess%

,nce they were #nderway* Emi$$e premat#re$y ended what wo#$d ha(e been a $ong* si$ent

dri(e% She started with a deep sigh% ;J#st ta"e me home* .eter% )'$$ p#t an icepac" on it%;

e c#t a g$ance her way% ;>or a$$ we "now* yo#r an"$e co#$d be bro"en%;The fact that she wasn't screaming in pain was proof eno#gh that her an"$e wasn't bro"en%

She co#$d end#re the stabbing throbs% )t was nothing a few pain"i$$ers co#$dn't e$iminate% ;Jac"

said nothing's bro"en* and ) be$ie(e him%;

;Jac" co#$d be wrong*; he protested%;Jac" grew #p in +owbo"sville, Teas% e's probab$y hand$ed more bones than any E%R%

doctor% )f he says )'m fine* then )'m fine%; She bit her $ips% ;-esides* the pain is easing% 6aybe )

st twisted it in the fa$$%;

.eter "ept his eyes on the road* b#t he spo"e in a $ow m#rm#r% ;#mor me* Emi$$e% =et me

ta"e yo# to the emergency room% ) st want to ma"e s#re yo# are o"ay%;

Emi$$e g$anced at him o#t of the corner of her eyes% ;)f it's the $ega$ities of it* .eter* yo# don9t

ha(e anything to worry abo#t% )'m not going to s#e the Markfor my own c$#msiness%; -eca#se

she was $oo"ing at him* she saw his eyes widen as if he hadn't e(en considered that possibi$ity%;J#st ta"e me home%;

is $ips compressed in disp$eas#re* b#t he no $onger protested%

Twenty min#tes $ater* they p#$$ed into the dri(eway of the s#b#rban property that Emi$$e was

renting from the si$ent mi$$ionaire net to her% She rented the ho#se from him beca#se she'd gotten

a fair dea$ on the three bedroom* two bathroom ho#se% +nd beca#se she tr#sted the $and$ord to

maintain the property% -ac" when the rea$ estate ind#stry was booming* .eter had harnessed hista$ents and started b#ying and remode$ing property tho#gh they were not st ho#ses% 1or did he

in(est in strip ma$$s% e'd so$d a few homes* b#t .eter had decided that he preferred the $ongterm

income of renta$ properties instead of 3#ic" sa$es% =ater* he had t#rned to in(esting in a few start

#ps as a si$ent partner% T#rned o#t he had good instinct for (ent#re capita$ism%.eter wasn't s#per wea$thy by any means* b#t he $i(ed a far simp$er $ife than what he co#$d

act#a$$y afford% e paid the rent on a sing$e bedroom apartment in one of his own comp$ees%6anagement didn't e(en "now that the owner resided right #nder foot% The red 6#stang he dro(e

was o(er ten years o$d% )t wasn't one of the f$ashy new (intageinspired mode$s* neither was it a

c$assic% )t was st an o$d 6#stang% .erhaps the thing that set him apart from most men was the

care he p#t into the things he in(ested in% .eter's car wo#$d probab$y be aro#nd for another ten

years% e be$ie(ed in maintaining (a$#ab$e things% E(en friendships%

e c$imbed o#t of the car and ro#nded to open her door% Emi$$e panic"ed% S#ppose he

intended to carry her into the ho#se4 She co#$dn't stand another moment of him str#gg$ing not to

whee:e% She scramb$ed o#t of the car before he co#$d get to her door* and str#gg$ed to her feet*


10/39

fighting the #rge to wince and cry o#t in pain% er pa$ms and #pper $ip dampened with sweat%

esperate$y* Emi$$e c$#tched her p#rse c$oser%

;Than"s for the ride* .eter% ) rea$$y appreciate it*; she said* $imping past him* pretending to

ignore the way he was g$aring at her%

.eter fo$$owed her to the door% ;)'$$ chec" on yo# in the morning%;She was #n$oc"ing the door* so her bac" was t#rned to him% ;+$right% ri(e safe$y%;

Chapter #

=ast night* when .eter had said he wo#$d chec" on her in the morning* Emi$$e had tho#ght

he'd meant he wo#$d ca$$% She hadn't anticipated the "noc" on her door% ,f co#rse she was #p and

abo#t beca#se it was Th#rsday% + wor"day% She'd ca$$ed in to the office and ep$ained that she'd

had an accident% +pparent$y* Jeff had ca$$ed some peop$e from wor" and to$d them abo#t what

happened* beca#se by the time she'd ca$$ed her boss* J#nior ,rson* was #p to date on e(erything%

Than"f#$$y* her boss agreed that she co#$d wor" from the comfort of her home (ia the comp#ter

for the rest of the wee"%

+$so* whi$e Emi$$e hadn't forgotten abo#t her car* she'd ass#med that .eter wo#$d drop it off$ater in the morning* gi(ing her time to get some wor" in before she went to see her doctor% 6ost

nights he and Jac"son didn't $ea(e the resta#rant #nti$ we$$ after two o'c$oc"% Jac" #s#a$$y was the

one who ret#rned at si to co$$ect the prod#ce* and .eter s#rfaced at noon to start on any wor"

needing to be done #nti$ Jac" came in at two in the afternoon% )t was $i"e a we$$ greased engineo(er there* b#t they p#t in some $ong* strange ho#rs%

.eter "noc"ed on the door three times by the time Emi$$e was ab$e to open it% er hair was

sti$$ "notted on top of her head% Raccoon eyes and f$#shed pin" s"in to$d the ta$e that she had not

fo$$owed the go$den r#$e of good grooming by washing off the night's ma"e#p before going to

bed% She didn't care% This was .eter% e'd ne(er rea$$y lookat her anyway% .eter's "ind of woman

didn't f$#sh% She g$owed% +nd if she fe$$ as$eep with mascara on* she didn't wa"e #p $oo"ing $i"e

an o(erweight strawberry s"#$$% She wo"e #p withsok" e"es%

;7es% ) s#r(i(ed the night*; she gr#mpi$y anno#nced by way of greeting% 5ho wo#$dn't begr#mpy when someone showed #p at their door at se(en in the morning $oo"ing $i"e 6r%

S#nshine4 e was e(en wearing an eyeb#rning neon ye$$ow tshirt% +nd the damn shirt had the

a#dacity to $oo" good on him%

;6ornin'% ) bro#ght yo#r car%;

Emi$$e too" a good $oo" at him and wished she hadn't% e was dressed for a r#n% e co#$dn't

ha(e had more than si ho#rs of s$eep* b#t here he was< ready to go for a r#n% ho does that&she wondered si$ent$y% ;7o# need a ride4; she as"ed instead%

.eter shoo" his head% ;1o% )'d p$anned to do si mi$es this morning anyway% )t's on$y se(en

bac" to my p$ace%;

)t wo#$d ta"e him st o(er a ha$f an ho#r if he was fee$ing $a:y% ;1eed some water* orsomething4; She a$ready "new the answer%

;1o% )'$$ be fine*; he answered% e t#rned to $ea(e* b#t changed his mind and didn't step away%;ow's yo#r an"$e doing4;

Emi$$e st#c" her foot o#t and did the wigg$e test% ;Sore% -#t ) thin" it's st a sprain%;

Concerned* he frowned at her foot% ;5hat's yo#r pain $e(e$4;

Emi$$e smi$ed at that% ;7o# "now me* .eter% )'m either in pain* or )'m not%; )t wasn't that she

was to#gh% +# contraire% 5hen it came to pain* Emi$$e was a tota$ wimp% + pinpric" was a ten as

far as she was concerned% She might bite her $ip and end#re in si$ence* b#t any "ind of pain was

a$ways bad pain%

;id yo# ta"e any pain"i$$ers4; Typica$ .eter* he maintained a serio#s epression as he as"ed


11/39


12/39

again%

is first memory of Emi$$e p$ayed thro#gh his mind% )t was the day she'd come in to app$y for

a secretaria$ &ob at Orson and Son% .eter was on his way bac" to his office when he'd spotted her

standing in front of the receptionist's des"% )t was ta"ing the receptionist o(er a ha$f an ho#r to

'deliver' J#nior's morning coffee* and e(eryone "new it wo#$d be another ha$f ho#r before she wasdone%

.eter had ta"en one $oo" at the ta$$ woman in the sey b$ac" s#it and prompt$y redirectedhimse$f to the front des"% +ny woman who co#$d ma"e s#ch a mannish sty$e $oo" so (ery

feminine was worth his attention%

;?ood morning% 6y name is .eter +n&o#*; he'd said% ;Can ) he$p yo# with anything4;

;e$$o% )'m Emi$$e Carter*; she'd rep$ied p$easant$y% ;Ky$e ,rson* J#nior in(ited me to come

in and fi$$ o#t a &ob app$ication%;

.eter's brows had risen at that% e'd gi(en Emi$$e a thoro#gh once o(er% J#nior didn't #s#a$$y

go for br#nettes% 1either did .eter* #s#a$$y% 1ot that he had a preference% -#t Emi$$e's hair wo#$d

ma"e any man ta"e a second $oo"* e(en fifteen years $ater% )t was thic"* and $#sh* and< (ery*

(ery decadent% +nd in the years since their first meeting* the (ery scent of it had ne(er fai$ed to

grasp his attention% .eppermint was his fa(orite herb for a reason%

That day* her dar" hair was p#$$ed into a >rench ro$$* re(ea$ing the seiest $itt$e c#r$s at her

nape and abo(e her ears% er brows were thic"* b#t perfect$y shaped to accent#ate her bright*brown eyes% She was a c$assic bea#ty not the "ind that yo#'d find in maga:ines% -#t a$$ that hair

set her apart from other women% Emi$$e's bea#ty was more $asting than a mode$'s% )t was the "ind

of bea#ty that wo#$d ne(er be ca$$ed c#te* or pretty% )t was a bea#ty that e(o$(ed into st#nning*

then stri"ing as she aged%The fact that a$$ that had topped one of the ta$$est* c#r(iest* most +ma:onian fig#res he'd e(er

seen was what had compe$$ed .eter to change his co#rse in the first p$ace% )t wasn't e(ery day that

a man of his stat#re fo#nd a woman that he co#$d $oo" direct$y in the face% She was wearing b$ac"

p#mps that made her an inch or two ta$$er than him% +nd he'd $o(ed it% +t si feet and fi(e inches

ta$$* it was rare to find anyone* especia$$y a woman who matched his height% .eter $o(ed nothing

more than seeing a ta$$ woman in high hee$s% Emi$$e was $#sh to his $eanness% -#twhat a lush it

was% She wasn't a woman who wo#$d everbe ab$e to wear a man's shirt s#ccessf#$$y% The women

in his $ife seemed to thin" it was sey for them to p#t on his shirts after ma"ing $o(e% Emi$$ewo#$d b#st o#t of that shirt at the chest and the hips% Tho#gh her $egs went on for mi$es* her hips

were c#r(ed $i"e a woman's hips sho#$d be% That was the day that .eter had become con(inced

that in order to create perfection $i"e Emi$$e Carter ?od m#st s#re$y be ma$e%

8p #nti$ that moment* he'd been con(inced that ta$$ women came on$y in one shape% Straight%

+nd that those same ta$$ women wore on$y one height of shoes% >$at% 8nti$ he'd met Emi$$e* he

hadn't e(en "nown he had a definite preference for ta$$* shape$y women who wore hee$s that madethem ta$$er than him% She'd #n"nowing$y created a fetish for him%

e remembered thin"ing that if Emi$$e was J#nior's $atest swing* then it was probab$y a good

thing that 6iche$$e was de$i(ering his coffee% The receptionist wo#$d ha(e ta"en one $oo" at

Emi$$e and sent her pac"ing% She wo#$dn't get the &ob* and he wo#$dn't get a chance to as" hero#t% Thin"ing bac" on it now* it was definitel"a good thing* beca#se fifteen years $ater* 6iche$$e

was now the ewife and bane of Ky$e ,rson* J#nior's eistence%Thin"ing J#nior had gotten to her first* .eter changed his mind abo#t approaching her with

interest% e'd ended #p crac"ing a few &o"es as he'd he$ped her thro#gh the app$ication process*

and had a$$owed himse$f to be "-friend-ied.

)t was definite$y good that things had wor"ed o#t that way% )t t#rned o#t Emi$$e wasn9t

in(o$(ed with J#nior% Their re$ationship had been strict$y b#siness% + few of the g#ys at the firm

had cast their $ines in her direction* b#t Em had ne(er bitten% She was a pretty pri(ate person%

.eter had st ass#med she was pri(ate abo#t her re$ationships% )t wasn't #nti$ a few years into

their friendship that he'd fina$$y broached the topic in a ro#ndabo#t way%


13/39

+ few of the g#ys in the office had been teasing him abo#t his S#nday rit#a$* and Emi$$e had

bo$d$y confessed that she was the on$y chi$d of an a(id ang$er so she saw nothing wrong with a

man who preferred to spend his S#nday mornings on his boat% 5ith a tong#e in chee" epression*

she'd s#ggested that she probab$y had more eperience hand$ing a rod than a$$ of them in the

office combined% The g#ys had g#ffawed abo#t it* b#t .eter had ta"en her serio#s$y% Thatafternoon* he'd stopped by her office and in(ited her to &oin him on his boat the net S#nday

morning* pro(iding her boyfriend didn't ob&ect% She'd gracio#s$y accepted his offer* ep$ainingthat there was no one in her $ife to ob&ect%

The fo$$owing S#nday* .eter had waited for her to arri(e* f#$$y intending to try his $#c" with

her o(er the co#rse of the day% -#t* when Emi$$e had arri(ed at the boat e3#ipped for b#siness*

and had spent the rest of the morning pro(ing her worth as a fishing companion* he'd "ept his

mo#th sh#t% She was so cas#a$ abo#t being a$one with him* there was ob(io#s$y no interest there

other than friendship% 5hy roc" the boat4 Right4

)t was a$$ st as we$$ anyway% )f he'd made a mo(e on her bac" then* he'd ha(e missed o#t on

what had t#rned o#t to be a (ery c$ose friendship% is first and on$y with a woman%

Then there was the fact that for whate(er reason* Emi$$e wasn't happy with herse$f% +nd it had

shown in the way she'd we$$* for $ac" of a better term let herself go% )t had been a s$ow* painf#$

process for her as we$$ as those who cared abo#t her% )t had gotten to the point where if one of the

g#ys didn't ca$$ her #p and in(ite her o#t* Emi$$e wo#$dn't $ea(e her home for anything b#t wor"*grocery shopping* or to pay her bi$$s% )t was $i"e she stopped epecting men to find her attracti(e*

and s#bse3#ent$y* she'd stopped going to the effort of dressing attracti(e$y% ,h* her grooming was

impeccab$e* b#t she was one headpiece away from a f#$$ on b#r3a%

E(ent#a$$y* she'd started getting a $ot of criticism abo#t her si:e% -eca#se he'd wanted to be agood friend and offer her s#pport* .eter had ne(er mentioned anything to her abo#t the weight

gain% )nstead* he'd tried to engage her in a$$ sorts of acti(ities% She'd gone hi"ing with him a few

times ear$y on% +nd had e(en tried "aya"ing before deciding to s"ip a$$ acti(ities b#t fishing%

.eter was a (ery physica$ man% e'd ne(er (omited a day in his $ife beca#se of physica$ eertion%

Emi$$e was whee:ing and spitting in fi(e min#tes of bris" hi"ing% +t the time* he hadn't

#nderstood that Emi$$e wasn't st a woman trying to "eep #p with him% Emi$$e was a ver"#nfit

woman trying to "eep #p with a ver"acti(e man% -y the time he'd #nderstood that* he'd b$own

any chances of getting her to tr#st him to he$p her manage her weight%+ part of him be$ie(ed she wo#$dn't ha(e appreciated the he$p% E(en now* she was more

concerned with the criticism than she was with her own we$fare% 8n$ess that changed< #n$ess

she $earned to be happy with the woman she was* she wo#$d ne(er want his he$p% 1or wo#$d she

be wi$$ing to try to he$p herse$f%

e was a$most home%

h" did I kiss her&he as"ed himse$f for the tho#sandth time since he'd $eft her ho#se%e'd "issed her before% ,n her nec"% ,n her hair% ,n her hands% ,n her chee"s% er temp$es%

E(erywhere b#t her $ips% .eop$e "issed their friends on the mo#th a$$ the time% -#t her$ips were

off $imits for some reason% +fter the scare she'd gi(en him $ast night* he'd needed to show her he

cared% Tho#gh his intention had been to "iss her temp$e* somehow his foc#s had $owered to hermo#th* and it happened%

She'd been shoc"ed too@ Shoc"ed eno#gh to "iss him bac" instincti(e$y% Then her eyes hadopened* and she'd seen it was him at the other end of that "iss% Emi$$e's start$ed epression had

been eno#gh to send him bo$ting% e sho#$d ha(e apo$ogi:ed% They were friends and he didn9t

want her to start thin"ing there was more there than there rea$$y was% e wasn't attracted to her in

that way% Emi$$e was his fishing b#ddy% She was his b#ffer when he needed a date who didn't ha(e

any epectations of him% )t wasn't often% -#t* there were e(ents that a man simp$y preferred not to

ta"e the woman he was dating to% is co$$ege grad#ation% is grandmother's f#nera$% is mother's

wedding% +nd so on%

e'd st p$ay it off the net time he saw her% She didn't p$an on fishing with him this S#nday*


14/39

so it wo#$d be another wee" before he saw her again% 8n$ess* of co#rse* he stopped by to chec"

#p on her% e co#$d p$ay it coo$* and they'd get past that aw"ward stage a$$ the sooner%

e was sti$$ trying to con(ince himse$f to p$ay it coo$ when he arri(ed at wor" a few ho#rs

$ater* and saw Emi$$e's $eopard print p#mp $ying on top of his des"% Jac" m#st ha(e p#t it there

after they'd c$eaned #p the tab$e $ast night% is se$fappointed feat became nigh on impossib$e ashis ga:e "ept wandering to the s$im* red hee$ of her shoe% e was in tro#b$e% There were certain

things that made certain women irresistib$e to certain men% 5hate(er his +chi$$es' hee$ was*Emi$$e had possessed it in spades bac" when they'd first met% The handwriting was there on the

wa$$ for a$$%%% we$$< ehem@ The shoe was on the des" for anyone who cared to see% )f Emi$$e was

remembering what it was $i"e to be the most bea#tif#$ woman in the wor$d* he was in big tro#b$e%

Chapter %

)t was an entire month before .eter saw her again% >or wee"s after the accident* Emi$$e

a(oided him% 6aybe it wasn't him* per se% -#t .eter too" it persona$$y% e'd gone to the apartment

to see her* b#t Emi$$e had s"ipped town that first wee"end%

>ine% She'd said she had p$ans% +nd he "new that e(ery now and again she went home to (isither fami$y%

)t wasn't #nti$ she fai$ed to show #p for dinner the fo$$owing 5ednesday night that .eter had

decided something was #p% E(ery time he ca$$ed her* the phone went to (oicemai$% >ina$$y* she'd

pic"ed #p the phone the Sat#rday night before he had epected her to ret#rn to their norma$fishing sched#$e% +s if she was ta$"ing to a stranger* Emi$$e had coo$$y informed him that she

wo#$d be ;too b#sy to recreate; with him in the near f#t#re%

ho the hell sa"s stuff like that& 'Too bus" to recreate' "/

e hadn't seen or heard from her since% She wasn't e(en coming in for dinner on 5ednesdays%

Emi$$e was an important part of his $ife* and s#dden$y she was acting $i"e she'd $ost a$$ common

sense the night of the fa$$%

>r#strated* .eter decided to mai$ her shoe to her% That wo#$d get a reaction o#t of her%

Emi$$e immediate$y responded by mai$ing him the rent chec"%That h#rt% The ho#se she $i(ed in was one of a few that he managed persona$$y% Emi$$e had

a$ways paid her rent the $ast 5ednesday of e(ery month in person% .eter paid the $awn care

company to $oo" after the gro#nds* b#t he #s#a$$y too" care of any prob$ems with the b#i$ding

itse$f% Emi$$e hadn't comp$ained abo#t any iss#es with the b#i$ding* so he co#$dn't (ery we$$ barge

into her home% +nd he co#$dn't comp$ain abo#t the fact that she'd mai$ed him the chec" after he'd

initiated it a$$ by mai$ing her shoe in the first p$ace%5hate(er was going on with her* it was time for it to end%

.eter didn't "now what he'd been epecting% +$$ he "new was that when he did manage to

h#nt her down* he'd been def$ated% e hadn't e(en "nown he'd had epectations that co#$d be

disappointed%e was sitting on her front porch when she p#$$ed into the dri(eway% Emi$$e sat in the car for

a good fi(e min#tes* st staring at him thro#gh the tinted windshie$d% e maintain his re$aedpose on her front steps as he stared right bac"% The 6eican standoff wo#$d ha(e been am#sing if

they weren't both death$y serio#s% >ina$$y* she c$imbed o#t of the car and p#$$ed an o(ernight bag

from the bac"seat%

is 3#ic" ga:e too" in e(erything% >rom the tired drag of her feet across the concrete

wa$"way* to the s$#mp in her sho#$ders* and the $imp $idded $oo" she was gi(ing him% She $oo"ed

different% Eha#sted* certain$y% -#t there was something e$se there that he co#$dn't 3#ite p#t his

finger on%

She was wearing a tshirt and shorts% e was seeing her "nees% 6aybe that was it% >or years*


15/39

Emi$$e's idea of shorts was capris% )d$y* he noted that her $egs were nice$y toned% Ecept for that

one detai$* she rea$$y $oo"ed $i"e he$$%

;ow $ong ha(e yo# been sitting here4; Emi$$e as"ed as she drew c$oser%

;=ong eno#gh*; he said* standing to fo$$ow her inside%

She tossed her p#rse into a maga:ine rac" beside the door and "ept mo(ing% ;?rab me aminera$ water* wi$$ yo#4;

.eter went into the "itchen and too" a co#p$e of bott$es from the refrigerator% e sighedhea(i$y when he saw what was inside the fridge% ,r wasn9t% +s far as he was concerned* an empty

refrigerator was a tragedy% Emi$$e had sandwich fiings* a ta"eaway container from a seafood

chain resta#rant* one from a Chinese p$ace* and ha$f of a rotting $ett#ce% The rest of the space was

ta"en #p with water* minera$ water* and tonic water* and a we$$ aged bott$e of te3#i$a sitting in the

(egetab$e chi$$er% She was a great coo"* b#t years ago when he'd first to$d her abo#t wanting to

switch careers Emi$$e had mentioned that whi$e growing #p her fami$y had eaten o#t a$most

e(ery night% e g#essed the habit st#c"%

e start$ed when her (oice as"ed* ;5hy are yo# standing there staring into my fridge4;

+ wry smi$e twisted his $ips as he t#rned to face her% ;7o#'(e got to do better than this* Em%;

er ga:e darted to the refrigerator and bac" to his face% ;5hat do yo# care4; she as"ed

defensi(e$y% ;+s $ong as ) contin#e to spend my money at TheMarkyo# don9t need to worry

abo#t my eating habits%;is brows bo#nced a#tomatica$$y before he res#med a ne#tra$ epression% Somehow* he'd

managed to get himse$f on thin ice% ;)s that what yo# rea$$y thin"4; he as"ed 3#iet$y%

She ro$$ed her eyes and too" her be(erage from his hands% er dining at TheMarkwasn't

abo#t the money and they both "new it% )t was abo#t friendship% Jac" and .eter were her friends*so the resta#rant had become her fa(orite dining estab$ishment% )t was the one p$ace in this city

where she co#$d go and be s#re that she'd b#mp into other friends% E(ery now and again* Jac"'s

sister C$a#dia and her best friend 6arcia showed #p and they'd share a tab$e% 5hen a(id had

b#siness in +#stin* he'd ma"e arrangements for 5ednesday* beca#se he "new Emi$$e wo#$d be

there% +nd whene(er Ryce was in town* there was a$ways a dinner at the Mark with her and a$$

the g#ys% The fact that the food was great was a bon#s* b#t Emi$$e rare$y ate off the men# beca#se

.eter a$ways had something specia$ p$anned for her% a$f the time* he didn't e(en charge her for

her mea$s% er acc#sation was #nfair* b#t Emi$$e wasn't abo#t to recant it%.eter was re$ent$ess% is eyes narrowed on her% ;+nswer me* Em% Te$$ me again why ) care

abo#t yo#4;

She co#$dn't stand that $oo"% The way he ga(e her his f#$$ attention when she wanted anything

b#t% )t made her ner(o#s% 5hat did she do when she was ner(o#s4 =a#gh things away%

;=oo"* .eter*; she said with a wide* happy smi$e% ;7o#'re not ob$igated to care abo#t me* so

chilla0on the stress% )'m a big gir$% ) can ta"e care of myse$f%;)t wasn't his p$ace to "eep pestering her% e didn't want to pester her in the first p$ace* b#trom the safety of the $ifting area* he obser(ed her% Emi$$e was in her :one% This was the

second f$oor* and she was staring o#t the window into the night% She wore her fa(orite pair red

and go$d d%&% headphones% She'd won them from Ryce in a po"er game% They cance$$ed o#t the

noise* and fit so sn#g$y o(er her ears that yo# co#$dn't hear any so#nd escaping% -#t .eter "new

their secret* and he smi$ed beca#se of it% 6ost $i"e$y Emi$$e was $istening to her m#sic at

deafening decibe$s% e didn't need to hear it to "now* she was $istening to co#ntry or roc"% ,r

maybe the mash#p that Ryce had become famo#s for%

She was dressed in a baggy b$ac" tshirt and capris% -#t he co#$d see that her efforts had paid

off big time% er sho#$ders were sharper* and she $oo"ed ta$$er and $eaner% e co#$dn't "eep thegrin off his face% )t was a$$ he co#$d do to "eep his foc#s on his own wor"o#t% Emi$$e had e(en

gone to the etent of in(esting in a pair of r#nning shoes to match her headphones% 5ho wo#$d

ha(e tho#ght4 The thic" $ength of her ponytai$ bo#nced with the rhythm of her steps% >or the ho#r

that it too" him to wor" thro#gh the weights section of the gym* Emi$$e stayed on that treadmi$$*pa#sing on$y $ong eno#gh to ta"e a sip or two from her water bott$e% )t was a far cry from the days

when she co#$dn't e(en wa$" a mi$e% 5hen it $oo"ed $i"e she was ready to begin the circ#its* .eter

$eft the gym% e'd a$ready been there that day% This was her time* and he didn't want to do

anything that wo#$d brea" her foc#s% 5hen he too" $ast $oo" at her o(er his sho#$der* she was

wor"ing thro#gh a set of $#nges%

Right on c#e* she ca$$ed him a few days $ater%;ey* stranger*; he answered%

;ey there yo#rse$f*; she rep$ied cheerf#$$y% ;ow're yo# doin'4;

;+in't no s#nshine when yo#'re gone*; he sang in his baritone%

She s#c"ed her teeth% ;7o# areso f#nny%;

;)'msoserio#s*; .eter confessed% ;)t's been what< two months4 ) miss yo#%; e $i(ed right

down the road from her* b#t between his wor" sched#$e and her ho#rs at the gym* it wasn't as ifhe co#$d st drop in on her%;

;)t hasn't been two months%;

;J#st abo#t% ) "now% )'(e been co#nting the S#ndays and 5ednesdays%;

;That's what )'m ca$$ing abo#t*; she said% ;Can yo# come o(er when yo# get a chance4 ) wantto ta$" to yo# abo#t something%;

)t was >riday night% She wo#$dn't be going in to wor" tomorrow% ;ow abo#t ) come o(erafter wor"4;

Emi$$e snorted% She act#a$$y snorted at him% ;on't yo# "now* .eter4 Cas#a$ arrangements

between midnight and fo#r are booty ca$$s%;

e $a#ghed o#t $o#d at that% ;So* yo#'re ca$$ing me for some booty4; he as"ed pro(ocati(e$y%

;)'m ca$$ing yo# to arrange a con(ersation*; she said $e(e$$y%

Sti$$* he co#$d imagine the epression on her face that tight$ipped way she tried to not smi$e%

)t was what "ept a smi$e on his face% e'd missed this% +n #nhappy woman was a miserab$e thing%

1ot that Emi$$e was miserab$e* or made him miserab$e% J#st* when she wasn't happy* the part of


18/39

him that wanted her $a#ghing a$$ the time was< we$$* that part of him was iserable% Tr#th be

to$d* he fe$t $i"e he'd st come #p from a $ong di(e%

;)t st so happens that yo#'re most a$ert d#ring the booty ca$$ ho#rs% +nd ) did not as" yo# to

come by d#ring said ho#rs% !ouoffered%;

;5e$$* dar$in'*; he draw$ed f$irtatio#s$y* ;yo#'re st gonna ha(e to ta"e me when yo# can getme% ) won't ha(e any free time for the net co#p$e of wee"s%;

;7o#'re fishing this S#nday4; she as"ed%;=ea(e the porch $ight on% )'$$ be there in abo#t an ho#r*; he to$d her* a(oiding her 3#estion%

The resta#rant was a$most c$eaned and c$osed%

;) can meet yo# o#t on the boat on;

;)'$$ be there in an ho#r*; he said% e was ecited at the prospect of seeing her for the 'first'

time since she'd beg#n wor"ing o#t%

;-e where4;

;-eware4 5hy4;

;5hy what4;

;5hy sho#$d ) beware4;

;) was as"ing where yo# p$anned to be%; This con(ersation was getting strange%

;+hilla0, Em*; he ch#c"$ed% ;) was st messing with yo#% )'$$ be at yo#r p$ace in an ho#r%;

;7o#'re in a strange mood tonight*; she said #ncertain$y% ;+$right% )'$$ see yo# when ) seeyo#%;

Emi$$e didn't "now what to do with herse$f% She wanted to $oo" her best% This was the firsttime he wo#$d be seeing her in a month% +t the time she'd $ost twentyfi(e po#nds* b#t they

weren't noticeab$e% Sityfi(e po#nds was a h#ge$y noticeab$e difference% )t wasn't m#ch*

considering her goa$% She was sti$$ fat* b#t there was some definition in her arms% The ce$$#$ite

wasn't so bad% She had some $oose s"in* b#t no one co#$d acc#se her of $oo"ing $i"e she was

pregnant any more% She winced at the memory of the woman in the grocery store* who had

act#a$$y reached o#t and r#bbed her be$$y fo#r years before% Some things st st#c" in a gir$'s

mind* and that incident had ha#nted her%

%ositive thoughts, E%%ositive thoughts%She wo#$dn't dress #p% She didn't want him to thin" she had a cr#sh on him or anything $i"e

that% )t might ma"e things aw"ward between them% +w"ward $i"e it had gotten after the "iss% -est

she st act norma$$y and sa(e herse$f the embarrassment if he fai$ed to notice any changes in her

body% )t was $ate* after a$$% .eter wo#$dn't epect her to be wearing anything b#t her pa&amas

anyway% +nd it wasn't $i"e she co#$d $ay aro#nd in a peignoir waiting for him not that she owned

one%The "noc" on her front door came a$most an ho#r $ater eact$y%

She opened the door to .eter% ;ey%;

>or $ong moments* he st stood there* staring at her with a strange $ight in his eyes as his

ga:e ro(ed o(er her% + pro#d $itt$e smir" appeared on his $ips as he presented her with a sma$$ togo bo fromJackson's Mark.

;) made this for yo#*; he said* handing her the bo%;5hat is it4; she as"ed* $oc"ing the door behind him%

is grin said it a$$%

Cr#shed* Emi$$e tried to pretend she wasn't abso$#te$y horrified by his offering% She popped

open the container* and s#re eno#gh* it contained a se$ection of her a$$time fa(orite desserts%

.eter was an etraordinary chef* b#t he had one partic#$ar specia$ty% 6ignardises% e was a$ways

$oo"ing for an ec#se to create the tiny pastries%

.eter m#st ha(e noticed the change in her epression beca#se he hastened to ep$ain himse$f%

;Each one is on$y aro#nd eighty ca$ories% ) twea"ed the recipes to ma"e them hea$thier and it was


19/39

a hit*; he anno#nced pro#d$y% ;Jac" and ) are thin"ing abo#t ma"ing most of the dishes on the

men# hea$thier%;

;That's nice*; she said wea"$y% ;-#t* .eter% ) can't accept this%;

e sobered instant$y% ;5hy not4;

Emi$$e fe$t h#nted as she so#ght for a way to escape ha(ing to answer him% ;S#ffice it to say*that tho#gh ) appreciate the tho#ght* ) cannot accept this%; She tried to hand it bac" to him%

.eter ignored her% She was the one who had inspired him to go and re(ise the whee$ in thefirst p$ace% 5hat the he$$ was she ta$"ing abo#t now4

Emi$$e rea$$y hatedit when he $oo"ed at her that way% ;Stop g$aring at me $i"e that@; she

snapped%

is epression became the definition of ne#tra$ity% ;) wasn't aware that ) was g$aring at yo#*;

he said forma$$y%

;+nd don't get a$$ co$d on me either%;

.eter ro$$ed his eyes% +pparent$y nothing he did tonight was going to p$ease her% ;)'$$ stop

whate(er )'m doing to annoy yo#* if yo# te$$ me why yo# can't ta"e the pastries%;

;,h@Fine(; She threw her hand #p in the air* caref#$ not to toss the petit fo#rs aro#nd in the

bo% There was no point in r#ining s#ch pretty desserts% ;)'m on a (ery strict diet% ) ha(e to $earn

better eating habits% 7o# "now )'(e been trying to $ose weight% 7et the first thing yo# bring me

after not seeing each other for months is dessert4; Emi$$e fo$ded her arms across her chest% ;owthoughtfulof yo#*; she said wry$y%

She probab$y epected him to apo$ogi:e% )nstead* what she got was a thoro#gh$y tic"ed off

.eter% e was bac" to g$aring at her% ;Tho#ghtf#$4 7es@ ) p#t a $ot of tho#ght into ma"ing yo#r

fa(orite things diet friend$y% So pardon me if ) don't see why yo# can't eat my coo"ing any more%;Emi$$e &er"ed her head bac" in s#rprise%Is he hurt&;.eter* it's not yo#r coo"ing that;

;7o# stopped coming aro#nd%; She was his biggest fan% e wanted her to p#rs#e a hea$thier

$ifesty$e* b#t .eter wasn't going to $ie to himse$f% +s m#ch as he wanted the o$d Emi$$e bac" the

Emi$$e from fifteen years ago he a$so wanted the Emi$$e that he'd grown to $o(e bac"% The

simp$e fact was* if she wasn't aro#nd to eat* he didn't ha(e anyone whom he wanted to coo" for%

er epression was sardonic as she ba$d$y to$d him the tr#th% ;.eter* ) ha(e no prob$ems with

yo#r coo"ing% -#t* ) am not setting foot inside that resta#rant again #n$ess ) get to my goa$

weight% That's why ) ca$$ed yo# tonight% +nd as for the desserts*; she wa(ed her hands aro#nd infr#stration% ;)'m st not there yet% ) ha(e a hard eno#gh time contro$$ing myse$f with my mea$s%;

e b$in"ed% ;) don't #nderstand yo#%;

She $ed him o(er to the $i(ing room and sat net to him on the sofa% ;.eter*; she began* $ic"ed

her $ips* sett$ed her hands in her $ap* then started o(er again% ;.eter* )'(e $ost sityfi(e po#nds%;

She waited for his reaction since he hadn't noticed it himse$f%

e nodded% ;)'(e noticed% 7o# $oo" nice%;That was the highest praise she was $i"e$y to get o#t of him% So* Emi$$e didn't a$$ow herse$f to

fee$ bad that he wasn9t going on abo#t her transformation% ;The prob$em is* )'(e p$atea#ed% .ortia

and ) ha(e #pped my cardio* and increased my strength training* b#t )'m not $osing the weight as

3#ic"$y as ) was when ) first started o#t%;;5hat do yo# mean4;

;) started o#t $osing ten po#nds a wee"* then se(en% 1ow* )'m down to fi(e%;.eter sti$$ed% ;>i(e po#nds a wee" is a lot of weight* Em%;

She was sha"ing her head e(en before he'd finished% ;,n$y fi(e po#nds this onth,.eter% )t's

not eno#gh*; she said in a sma$$ (oice% ;.eter* )'(e been fat a$$ my $ife% +nd a$$ ) want for my

birthday this year is to $oo" in the mirror and not be ashamed of what ) see%;

e p#$$ed her into his arms% ;7o#'(e got nothing to be ashamed of%; espite her attempts to

p#sh away* he he$d firm%

;)t's hard to be$ie(e that% Especia$$y coming from a man who's ne(er str#gg$ed with his

weight a day in his $ife%;


20/39

;) str#gg$e with my weight e(ery day*; he admitted% )t was hard eno#gh trying to "eep the

weight on when he wasn't training% )t was e(en worse when he was in training% .eter had to

cons#me ridic#$o#s amo#nts of ca$ories st so he co#$d $oo" hea$thy% To maintain his c#rrent

m#sc$e mass* he sometimes had to force himse$f to eat% 6ost women didn't find etreme$y thin

men attracti(e* and Emi$$e was st $i"e the rest of them% ow many times had he heard herg#shing o(er hea(i$y b#i$t m#sc#$ar men4

The on$y time he'd e(er gotten a reaction o#t of her was that first S#nday morning when she'd&oined him fishing% They'd gone o#t on the water at dawn* b#t as the s#n had risen with the

temperat#re* .eter had stripped o#t of his shirt% e'd been twentyfi(e at the time% )n the prime of

his $ife% Emi$$e had ta"en one $oo" at him* then s$ow$y as if she was in a trance she'd stretched

o#t her hands to co(er his abdomen% + shi(er co#rsed thro#gh his body at st the memory of how

he'd reacted to the way her fingers had trai$ed o(er each ta#t m#sc$e% 6ista"en$y* he'd be$ie(ed

that something had started in that moment% -#t Emi$$e had swift$y eting#ished whate(er f$ame

of attraction had been "ind$ed% She'd patted his stomach and said* ;1ice abs* .eter% idn't "now

yo# had a$$ that #nder yo#r c$othes%; e'd wor"ed hard to maintain that body e(er since* b#t no

matter how many S#nday mornings she'd spent with him shirt$ess* she'd ne(er said another word

abo#t his physi3#e%

;Emi$$e* ) #nderstand where yo#'re coming from*; he said% ;)f ) ate according to the

prescribed standards* )'d be emaciated%;;7o# wor" o#t $i"e a fiend*; she pointed o#t%

;) o(ereat to b#$" #p% =ift to b#i$d m#sc$e% +nd r#n to trim down% )f ) want to $oo" hea$thy* )

ha(e to wor" hard for it%; ?ent$y* he br#shed her hair bac" from her face% ;1ot e(eryone's b#i$t

the same way% 7o# may ha(e to wor" harder than most to s$im down* b#t yo#'(e come a $ong way%+nd yo# ha(e achie(ed great res#$ts%;

;)'m sti$$ o(er two h#ndred and sity po#nds*; she comp$ained%

;+nd net month* yo#'$$ be two h#ndred and fifty something po#nds*; he pointed o#t% ;That's

a far cry from o(er three h#ndred%;

She sighed* and beca#se his g#ard was down* she was ab$e to escape his embrace% ;.eter*

yo#'$$ ne(er #nderstand% 6en don't find women o(er one fifty attracti(e% So* e(en tho#gh it fee$s

good to be in this moment* where )'(e $ost a$$ this weight* )'m sti$$ $oo"ing at o(er a h#ndred

po#nds that need to go%;;,ne fifty4 That's yo#r goa$4 7o# thin" yo#'d $oo" good at that weight4 )'d be$ie(e that if yo#

were b#i$t $i"e most women* Emi$$e*; he said with a bored epression%

efeated* she sat forward on the sofa in m#$ish si$ence%

e t#gged on her ponytai$% Emi$$e was dressed in her pa&amas% )t was white $inen shorts and a

white camiso$e% They were far too big for her% e'd e(en noticed that the tight yoga pants she'd

started o#t wearing to the gym now fit $i"e baggy sweats% )t was probab$y time she downsi:ed herc$othes* b#t he wasn't abo#t to say anything to her% She rea$$y did ha(e a nice pair of $egs tho#gh%

Strong% =ong% Rob#st% )t wo#$d be nice to see her r#nning on the treadmi$$ in shorts% er arms

were toning #p nice$y as we$$% Those he co#$dn't remember everseeing* #n$ess she was dressed

for bed% Em's arms and sho#$ders were on $oc"down for most of their association% Then therewere her breasts% She co#$d $ose e(erything e$se* b#t .eter was definite$y in fa(or of her "eeping

the breasts%She wasn't near$y as far from perfect as she tho#ght% -#t* he co#$dn't te$$ her that% Emi$$e

wo#$dn't be$ie(e him% 1ot yet anyway%

;-y the way% ow ta$$ are yo#4; he as"ed* reaching for the container of mignardises%

;Sitwo*; she answered* eyeing him as he disappeared into the "itchen%

;5hat goa$ did .ortia gi(e yo#4;

Emi$$e heard c#pboards opening and the door to the microwa(e being s$ammed sh#t% ;,ne

eighty to one ninety%;

;+nd yo# want to weigh one fifty4;


21/39

;1ot eact$y% ,ne fortyfi(e%; She proceeded to ep$ain* ;)f ) weigh one fortyfi(e and ) p#t

on a few po#nds* ) can stop myse$f at one fifty and get things bac" #nder contro$%;

The microwa(e dinged% + few min#tes $ater* .eter ret#rned to the $i(ing room with two c#ps

of coffee* a "nife* and a sma$$ p$ate bearing the fo#r desserts% +fter setting e(erything down on

the coffee tab$e* .eter began to s$ice the desserts into two portions%;So*; he anno#nced once he was done% ;7o# ca$$ed me o(er here to te$$ me that yo#'re being

#nreasonab$e4;;)t's not #nreasonab$e%;

;Em* yo#'$$ $oo" $i"e a stic" at that weight*; he said with m#ch $ongs#ffering%

She b$in"ed at him as if he was stating the ob(io#s% ;on't try to te$$ me yo#'re not attracted

to stic"s* .eter% )'(e seen yo# in action% Remember4;

;5rong% ) $i"e tall women%; e g$anced at her o#t of the corner of his eye and popped a piece

of choco$ate raspberry tart into his mo#th% ;Thirtyfi(e ca$ories%;

She $oo"ed at the p$ate and the coffee% .eter's c#p had mi$" in it% e probab$y had s#gar too%

ers was st b$ac"% ;7o# don9t $i"e fat women tho#gh%;

;) do#bt there's a man a$i(e that $i"es women who aren't fit% )f a woman's not fit* the se

s#ffers% )'m an acti(e man* Em% )n bed and o#t of it%;

Emi$$e decided then and there that the con(ersation was getting o#t of hand% So* to a(oid

being responsib$e for responding to his comment* she t#rned on the te$e(ision%5ic"ed$y* he grinned at her as he ate the $arger piece of choco$ate cream Bc$air% e ch#c"$ed

to himse$f when her eyes f$ared in o#trage* b#t she didn't say a word abo#t it% e pointed to the

remaining piece% ;>ifty ca$ories% 7o# can sa(e the rest for $#nch tomorrow*; he s#ggested%

;Together* they sho#$d be somewhere aro#nd one h#ndred%;Tragica$$y* Emi$$e shoo" her head% She didn't need to $oo" at the white choco$ate and b$ac"

cherry ba(arois with its $itt$e sai$ of brandy snap t#i$e% onest$y* she admitted* ;)t won't ma"e it

#nti$ the morning%;

.eter "issed her on the chee"% 6ore acc#rate$y* he $a#ghed against her face% ;)t's a good thing

it's a$ready morning then*; he said%

;on't e(er do this to me again*; she said in a sma$$ (oice%

er tone got his attention% e didn't $i"e to hear her spea"ing $i"e this as if he'd ta"en her

wor$d and (io$ent$y cr#shed it #nder his feet% ;+re yo# serio#s* Em4; he as"ed 3#iet$y* a frown$ining his brows%

er $ashes $owered% ;.eter* )'m serio#s abo#t this%; She set her face in a m#$ish epression% ;)

need he$p p$anning my mea$s* and ) tho#ght that ) co#$d as" yo# as my friend to he$p me* b#t )

see now that ) can't tr#st yo#%;

.eter was h#rt by her anno#ncement% She co#$dn't trusthim4 Their who$e friendship was

based on tr#st% Em had ne(er fai$ed to ha(e his bac" #nti$ recent$y% +nd now that she'd ep$ainedher intention to ret#rn to TheMarkonce she reached her goa$* he wasn't so #pset abo#t her

p#tting her (isits to the resta#rant on pa#se% -#t this4 ow co#$d she acc#se him of being

#ntr#stworthy4

;.eter*; she contin#ed* ;yo# are the on$y person ) "now who can he$p me% ) need yo#% ) needyo# to care abo#t my hea$th as m#ch as ) do% This is not st abo#t being pretty for me%;

;) care* Em*; he said defensi(e$y%;) "now yo# do* .eter*; she whispered* t#rning at $ast to face him% ;-#t right now* ) need yo#

to care abo#t me more than yo# e(er ha(e before% )'m diabetic* .eter%;

Chapter '

The room s#dden$y became si$ent* as if they'd both stopped breathing% +fter she'd inred her


22/39


23/39

a bo of macaroni and a can of ancho(ies into go#rmet fare%; She waited for his wry smi$e% ;) was

hoping yo# co#$d $oo" at my $ist of appro(ed foods* and we can wor" together on what ) can

afford* and create a mea$ p$an that ) can act#a$$y wor" with%;

;o yo# ha(e the $ist4; he as"ed%

She was o#t of her seat $i"e a shot* disappearing into the "itchen% .eter fo$$owed at a moresedate pace% e d#mped the remainder of the desserts into the trash and washed #p the p$ate%

6eanwhi$e Emi$$e p#$$ed an enormo#s fo$der from the pantry and dropped it onto the tab$e%;6ore coffee4; .eter offered* tho#gh she hadn't to#ched her first c#p%

;1o*; she shoo" her head% ;)'(e got green tea in the fridge%;

e opened the door to get it for her* and had to stop and stare%

;o ) ha(e anything in there that yo# thin" ) sho#$dn't ha(e4; Emi$$e as"ed o(er his sho#$der%

The $ower drawers of Emi$$e's refrigerator were pac"ed with fr#its and (egetab$es% The

she$(es and e(en the door were fi$$ed with ga$$ons and bott$es of water as #s#a$* and a g of tea*

b#t there wasn't a condiment in sight% e spotted eggs* and what $oo"ed $i"e s$iced t#r"ey% .eter

po#red some tea from the g then opened the free:er for some ice% >r#its and (egetab$es ga$ore

were bagged and stored in f$at pac"ages in the free:er% e dropped a few c#bes into her g$ass and

shoo" his head% ;1o* ma'am% ) thin" yo#'(e made a rea$$y good start%;

;) rea$$y appreciate yo#r he$p* .eter*; she said%

e deposited her g$ass on the tab$e before shifting the stac"s of c$othing maga:ines that shehad perpet#a$$y co(ering the tab$e o#t of his way% They sat down together and got down to

b#siness%

Emi$$e wo"e at noon the fo$$owing day to the most de$icio#s aroma fi$$ing her home% er

eyes f$ew open as she remembered that .eter had s$ept on her sofa after they'd finished wor"ing

on her mea$ p$an at dawn% 5ith a groan* she ro$$ed o(er and $oo"ed at the c$oc" on her nightstand%

E$e(en fortytwo%

+fter br#shing her teeth and washing the s$eep from her eyes* Emi$$e na(igated her way to

the "itchen epecting to find him there s$a(ing o(er a hot sto(e% 5hat she act#a$$y fo#nd made

her $a#gh%

+ ye$$ow croc"pot that she hadn't remembered owning was b#bb$ing near the sin"% 1et toit* pinned in p$ace by brand new pac"ages of storage containers and bags* was a note addressed to

'E.' )t he$d the recipe for chic"en so#p made with nonstarchy (egetab$es% +pparent$y* so#p was

the easiest way for her to contro$ her starch and fat inta"e whi$e increasing her $i3#ids% The

croc"pot he$d eight ser(ings* so if she had too m#ch* she'd "now it when sheD 'Freee the

leftovers into ortions.' e m#st ha(e gone o#t whi$e she'd s$ept%

5hen .eter arri(ed at wor" $ater that day he was a man with a mission% 6ost of the food on

the men# at TheMark were dishes that peop$e $i"e Emi$$e co#$d not eat witho#t medication% Too

many of those dishes were the reason why peop$e ended #p $i"e Emi$$e had%;Ro#gh night4; Jac" as"ed $aconica$$y as he wa$"ed into the office at two%

.eter g$anced #p from his des"* b#t contin#ed wor"ing% ;) need to ta$" to yo#%;Jac" threw himse$f into the chair across from his friend's des"% ;So#nds serio#s%;

;) am*; .eter nodded%

;So* ta$"%;

.eter's ga:e was $e(e$ as he c$osed his $aptop and tented his fingers on the des"% ;Em has

diabetes%; She'd probab$y "i$$ him if she fo#nd o#t that he'd to$d Jac"son%

Jac" sat #p straight% ;That doesn't come as a s#rprise* .eter% Em is gross$y o(erweight%;

;She's not gross*; he said in a tight* defensi(e (oice%

Jac"'s $oo" was enigmatic* b#t he said* ;>ine% She's not gross% She's ver"o(erweight% 5hat is


24/39

she4 Three h#ndred4;

)t was .eter's t#rn to sit #pright% ;She's $ost sityfi(e po#nds and co#nting%;

;Eille4; Jac"son as"ed% e was c$ear$y shoc"ed% + $ow whist$e escaped him% ;)s she; he

wa(ed his finger thro#gh the air in a fig#re eight%

.eter "new what he was as"ing% )t was the same thing he'd wondered when .ortia had to$dhim abo#t Emi$$e's s#ccess% Jac" had "nown Emi$$e bac" when too% e nodded% ;)t's coming

bac"%;;)t's been a whi$e since ) saw her% ) sho#$d probab$y gi(e her a ca$$%;

;7o# sho#$d probab$y gi(eMarciaa ca$$*; .eter said specifica$$y%

;id yo# want to ta$" abo#t Emi$$e's diabetes4; Jac" as"ed* redirecting the con(ersation%

;Ca#se* if yo#'re worried abo#t that* her weight$oss is s#re to c#re it%;

;5e're hoping*; .eter admitted% ;-#t no% 5hat ) wanted to te$$ yo# is that her diabetes got me

thin"ing% e proceeded to ep$ain his ideas to impro(e the 3#a$ity of the foods ser(ed at the

resta#rant to Jac"son* p#shing forward the first draft of his proposed new men#%

?ra(e$y* Jac" considered the men#% +fter a few min#tes he $oo"ed #p and said* ;7o# do"now

this is a stea"ho#se% Right4;

.eter opened his hands% ;)s there anything on that men# that's not stea"ho#se friend$y4;

Jac" read the men# again% )t too" e(en $onger for him to finish this time% ;Can yo# te$$ me in

a$$ honesty that these changes won't affect b#siness4; That was the bottom $ine* after a$$%;1o*; .eter answered tr#thf#$$y% ;)'m not s#re% ) ha(en't researched it eno#gh* b#t ) "now

there are entire gro#ps o#t there that can't come to The Markbeca#se we are not dietetic eno#gh%;

;The "itchen is yo#r domain*; Jac" rep$ied% ;The on$y thing )'(e got to te$$ yo# is that The

Mark is a stea"ho#se% )f yo# try to t#rn it into a green bar yo# and ) wi$$ ha(e words% 5especia$i:e in steaks*; he wa(ed his hand in the air neg$igent$y% ;-#t we offer a b#nch of hea$thy

a$ternati(es too%;

.eter* who had $eaned bac" in his chair with fingertips tapping a se3#ence whi$e he $istened

ha$fhearted$y to Jac" shoot down the idea* $oo"ed #p and fro:e% Tho#gh .eter was a ma&or

in(estor in the resta#rant* it was sti$$ Jac"'s baby% .eter had p#t some cash and his $o(e of coo"ing

into the resta#rant% Jac" bro#ght his $ife to the b#siness e(ery day% There was no time off for him%

5hen .eter was fishing* Jac" was wor"ing% )t was on$y fair that the ownerof TheMark* the man

for which it was named* appro(e the changes%;+re yo# saying what ) thin" yo#'re saying4;

Jac"son shr#gged% ;)'m saying we co#$d gi(e it a try% -#t* if the g#ests don't ta"e to it* we're

going bac" to the o$d men#%;

;+$right@; .eter $a#ghed% e stood and etended his hand to Jac" to sha"e% ;Than"sgi(ing's

coming #p% 5e can try o#t a hea$thier men# then%;

;.eter* the $ast thing anyone wants for Than"sgi(ing is tof#t#r"ey%;.eter p#$$ed him in for a h#g and a brother$y "iss on his chee"% ;5e'$$ see man% 5e'$$ see% )f )

don9t #p the sa$es this Than"sgi(ing* yo# can fire me%;

Jac" ga(e him a wry $oo" as they wa$"ed o#t of the office% ;)'$$ remember that%;

Chapter 1(

Emi$$e was wor"ing her way thro#gh her fina$ reps of barbe$$ bench presses when she t#rned

her head to g$ance in the mirror% +s her body became $eaner and more toned* Emi$$e co#$dn't he$p

ta"ing e(ery a(ai$ab$e opport#nity to chec" o#t her ref$ection% >or a woman who #sed to wince

e(ery time she ca#ght a g$impse of herse$f* she fe$t she'd earned the right to chec" o#t her guns

when she $ifted% There was a good bit of $oose s"in on her arms* be$$y* and inner thighs b#t

beneath a$$ that* she was b#i$ding a roc" so$id body% She'd ne(er fe$t seier in her $ife%

Since her ta$" with .eter three wee"s before* she'd $ost another twenty po#nds% -eca#se she


25/39

wor"ed whi$e he s$ept* and s$ept whi$e he wor"ed* .eter had dropped dinner off at her p$ace a few

times after she'd gone to wor"% >or a chef* he was a faithf#$ be$ie(er in that croc"pot* so when he

bro#ght dinner for her* he made s#re there was a stew going for those in between nights%

=istening to his ad(ice wasn't so hard when they were on the same page% 5hat Emi$$e appreciated

most was the desserts% The c$eaner her diet became* the easier it was to ma"e wise choices%#ring fo$$ow #p con(ersations* she'd mentioned that she $o(ed fr#its% .eter had gone to the

tro#b$e of preparing a miniat#re fr#it bas"et for her% She'd ne(er forget the pineapp$e topper thathe'd car(ed into the n#mber eighty to mar" her eighty po#nd mi$estone%

5ho "new that a diet needed to be hea$thy* not st s"impy for a person to $ose weight4 She

certain$y hadn't% .ortia had #nderstood tho#gh% Tho#gh she'd ne(er been diagnosed with diabetes*

once #pon a time* Emi$$e's trainer had been three h#ndred and fortyfi(e po#nds at fi(e feet and

si inches ta$$% She'd e(en shown Emi$$e a photograph of her at that weight* describing herse$f

with one word* 'ro#nd'% 7o# wo#$dn't be ab$e to te$$ today% 7o# wo#$dn't e(en "now that .ortia

had ended #p with tons of s"in% She'd opted for s#rgery herse$f* b#t had ass#red Emi$$e that she

wo#$dn't ha(e eno#gh s"in to merit it% )n fact* she firm$y be$ie(ed that if Emi$$e was patient* her

s"in wo#$d bo#nce bac" within a year or two% Emi$$e was starting to be$ie(e it% 1or did she rea$$y

care if her s"in e(er tightened #p% >or the first time in her $ife* she co#$d wear a s$ee(e$ess top in

p#b$ic% She'd ne(er tho#ght that was possib$e%

+ g#tt#ra$ groan escaped her mo#th as she p#t her f#$$ concentration on comp$eting the $astthree reps% 5ith a s#dden b#rst of eha$ation* she finished* sat #p and readied herse$f to wipe

down the station% She was a comp$ete wrec"% >rom the crown of her sweaty head to the tips of her

sweaty toes* she was a dripping* eha#sted mess% -#t she'd ne(er fe$t more awesome% Today* her

doctor had to$d her that she was no $onger diabetic% She sti$$ had to wor" to get o#t of the categoryof prediabetic* b#t for the first time in years* she fe$t optimistic abo#t her f#t#re%

;5hat's #p* yo# sey beast yo#4; someone grow$ed behind her%

She g$anced in the mirror to (erify that the (oice she heard did indeed be$ong to who she

tho#ght% =a#ghing* deepset gray eyes met her own beneath his $ongish pompado#r sty$e hairc#t%

Tho#gh it was o#t of p$ace in the gym* this c$eanc#t $oo" s#ited him better than the dread$oc"s of

a do:en years before% E(en then* he had been a gorgeo#s star in the ma"ing% )t wasn9t #nti$ he'd

gi(en #p on trying to sha"e his co#ntry roots in his p#rs#it of roc" and ro$$ fame that he'd fina$$y

bro"en thro#gh to g$oba$ stardom% e was a phenom%;Ca$eb Ryce@; Emi$$e escaped on an o(er&oyed $a#gh%

5ith a wic"ed grin* Ryce wrin"$ed his nose% ;)'d "iss yo#* b#t yo#'re a$$ sweaty%;

;5hat are yo# doing here4 ow did yo# "now ) was here4;

e grinned and pointed o(er his sho#$der% ;.eter bro#ght me here with the promise of a

s#rprise* then bet me that ) wo#$dn't be ab$e to find it%;

Emi$$e $eaned sideways a $itt$e to see .eter wor"ing thro#gh a series of p#$$ #ps% is eyesac"now$edged her* b#t he didn't cease his wor"o#t% e was as sweaty as she was% She wa(ed* b#t

a frown marred her smi$e as she t#rned her attention bac" to the peop$e's n#mber one most

bea#tif#$ man of the year% ;ow $ong ha(e yo# g#ys been here4;

Ryce f$ic"ed his wrist to chec" his watch% ;+bo#t two ho#rs now*; he rep$ied% ;e wo#$dn't$et me come o(er and say hi% Said ) sho#$dn't bother yo# #nti$ yo#'re done%; .eter had predicted

that she'd be done after the presses%She grinned% ;5e$$* )'m done now%;

;) see yo# can bench press a horse now*; Ryce $a#ghed% ;=et me see those g#ns%;

Emi$$e b$#shed% )t was one thing for her to be admiring her own arms* it was another thing

entire$y to be f$eing in front of her friends%

;) saw yo# chec"ing yo#rse$f o#t*; he teased%

She grabbed her towe$ and sashayed past him% ;Somebody's got to do it%;

Ryce wo$fwhist$ed as she wa$"ed away% ;7o# ma"e sweatyse0"%;

+t the $ast moment* Emi$$e stopped and $oo"ed o(er her sho#$der% ;5ipe down that bench for


26/39

me* wi$$ yo#4 )'m going to ha(e a shower% +nd then )'m coming bac" for my "iss from the 'seiest

man a$i(e'%

;) didn't bring yo# here to f$irt with her*; .eter gr#mb$ed when Ryce ret#rned to his side%Ear$ier that day* when Ryce had ca$$ed to say he needed a brea" from his to#r and wo#$d be f$ying

into town* .eter had been ecited to see his friend% Ryce hadn't been to +#stin in we$$ o(er a year*so their gro#p of friends missed him%

,ne friend in partic#$ar had missed him a $itt$e too m#ch* it seemed%

;+re yo# "idding me4; Ryce as"ed in disbe$ief% ;)'m not doing anything ) ha(en't done

before%;

Tr#e% -#t before* Emi$$e hadn't been a hottie% 1efore* Ryce hadn't $et his eyes $inger on

Emi$$e's assets% Ryce co#$d ha(e his pic" of any woman in the wor$d* b#t he was sweet ta$"ing

Emi$$e as tho#gh she was the $o(e of his $ife%

.eter was notimpressed%

5hi$e they had waited for her to finish her wor"o#t* he'd had to end#re Ryce's repeated

comments abo#t Emi$$e's ama:ing transformation% Shestillhadn't p#rchased a new set of wor"o#t

c$othes* b#t connoisse#rs $i"e Ryce wo#$d ha(e no tro#b$e seeing what was beneath the $ayers%

Especia$$y since Emi$$e was wearing an o$d tshirt that she had ripped the s$ee(es o#t of% +n o$d tshirt from the days when Ryce had gone by the name +aleb% 1ow* he #sed his f#$$ name% )t was

a$$ .eter had been ab$e to do to stop his friend from #psetting Emi$$e's wor"o#t% The min#te she'd

finished her $ast co#nt* Ryce had gone wa$"ing%

;J#st* don't $ead her on $i"e that*; he warned% ;Em's not some gro#pie%;;on't ) "now it*; Ryce said with a $echero#s smi$e% ;She's my specia$ gir$%;

Choosing to ignore the fact that allof Ryce's smi$es were $echero#s* .eter started his bo

mps% is friend was ab$e to simp$y stand there and $oo" fit% .eter had to do a$$ sorts of strength

training eercises in order to maintain eno#gh m#sc$e mass to be comparab$e to Ryce% E(en then*

he'd on$y ended #p $oo"ing $eaner and more ripped instead of b#i$t $i"e his b#ddy% Ryce was

Emi$$e's type% 8nti$ that moment* .eter had ne(er resented his own physi3#e more%

5hen .eter's epression smoothed o#t* Ryce who had started a set of power c$eans to "i$$

time stopped after the third one% e ga(e .eter a thro#gh $oo"* his eyes narrowing% ;ey*; hesaid after a whi$e* ;there's nothing going on between yo# and Emi$$e* is there4;

The g$ance .eter rac"ed him with was scathing%

Shr#gging bac" into his $eather &ac"et* Ryce decided to $et .eter wor"% is si$ence $asted

abo#t ten min#tes% e was comp$ete$y incapab$e of ignoring something $i"e this% ;Serio#s$y*

man*; he said at $ast% ;)s there something going on between yo# and Em4;

;1o%;,ne word% +nd .eter didn9t so#nd too happy abo#t that% ;o yo# want something to go on

between yo# two4; Ryce as"ed s$ow$y%

;There's nothing there togo on*; .eter anno#nced* his brow &er"ing in annoyance%

Ryce snorted% ;Come on* man% This is me yo#'re ta$"ing to% ) remember when yo# had thehots for her% She's starting to $oo" $i"e that gir$ again%; e tho#ght abo#t it a moment% ;She $oo"s

better* in fact% Something yo# were 3#ic" to te$$ me as soon as ) got into town tonight%;Si$ence%

;7o# getting fee$ings for her again4; he pressed% ;,r are yo# rea$i:ing yo#r fee$ings ne(er

rea$$y $eft4;

;7o# going to sh#t #p and $et me finish what )'m doin'4;

;?ood*; Ryce $a#ghed* strategica$$y distancing himse$f from .eter% The man was wiry as f#%

5e$$* he was wiry* b#t Ryce had wor"ed o#t with .eter often eno#gh o(er the years to "now that

those compact m#sc$es pac"ed both strength and stamina% )f .eter s#dden$y decided to $ay him

f$at* f$at he'd be% ;)f there's nothing going on between yo#* then yo# won't mind if ) ta"e her o#t


27/39

sometime%;

.eter stopped mping% 5ith his hands on his hips* he t#rned his f#$$ attention on Ryce%

;=ea(e Emi$$e a$one* Ryce% She's not some gro#pie% She's a good friend who's st getting her $ife

in order% The $ast thing she needs is yo# coming in here o(ernight and f$irting with her before yo#

f$y o#t again on a dime% Em's not the "ind of woman yo# do that to% 7o# start f$irting with her*she's going to start be$ie(ing that yo#'re rea$$y interested% -#t* we a$$ "now the "ind of women

yo# reall"$i"e% To yo#* Em's st a safe f$irt% There's no threat there for yo#% -#t if yo# mess withher right now* a$$ yo#'re going to do is end #p h#rting her% She doesn't need that right now% So* )

say it again for the $ast time% =ea(e% Emi$$e% +$one%;

5hi$e he $istened to .eter te$$ him a$$ the reasons why he sho#$dn't f$irt with Emi$$e* Ryce

$oo"ed down at his feet considering% e had wor"ed hard to c#$ti(ate his rep#tation as a $adies'

man% )t came with his &ob% -#t to hear his best friend say he wasn't good eno#gh for a woman $i"e

Emi$$e< that h#rt% E(ery where he t#rned* he was $earning how easy it is to h#rt somebody yo#

cared abo#t%

;on't yo# thin" she'd find it strange if ) didn'tf$irt with her4; he as"ed 3#iet$y%

;7es*; a soft (oice answered%

Ryce $oo"ed #p* b#t .eter stood arrested staring into the mirror a hard $oo" coming o(er his

face%

;7es*; Emi$$e said again soft$y% ;)'d find it strange if yo# stopped f$irting with me%; She cameo(er to the bench on which Ryce was seated and t#gged him #p% ;1ow* gi(e me my "iss and

ma"e it good% ) p#t on perf#me for yo#%;

Ryce saw the de(i$ in her eyes st a sp$it second before her $ips were pressed against his% She

wanted a "iss $i"e the ones he ga(e o#t on stage% The "ind of "iss that made him famo#s% So* hega(e it to her* wrapping his arms aro#nd her body* and ti$ting her bac"ward% e'd tho#ght for s#re

Emi$$e wo#$d change her mind once he went f#$$ tong#e on her* b#t she s#rprised him% She was

doing this beca#se she'd heard their con(ersation* and he didn't want her fee$ing $i"e anything $ess

than a desirab$e woman% So* Ryce did what any good friend wo#$d do% e made s#re* in that "iss*

that Emi$$e "new she was one of the best things that e(er happened to him%

>ina$$y he $ifted her bac" #pright* p$anted a "iss on her chee"* and s3#ee:ed her with a$$ the

$o(e and affection of their $ongstanding friendship% e credited Emi$$e with his s#ccess% )t was

her who had s#ggested he "i$$ +aleb* and st eist as +aleb 2"ce% That night* ten years ago hadbeen a t#rning point for him% This was his girl% 6ore .eter's than anyone e$se's* b#t his

nonethe$ess< Together* they t#rned to .eter* b#t he was no $onger standing there%

;5here'd my ride go4; Ryce 3#ipped* hoping to a(oid an aw"ward sit#ation%

;Shower*; Emi$$e said* co(ering her $ips with the bac" of her hand% >orcib$y* her epression

brightened% ;ey* did yo# g#ys ha(e any p$ans for tonight4; )t was 6onday% The Mark was

c$osed%;7eah*; Ryce answered% ;That's why we came to get yo#% a(id's dri(ing #p from San

+ntonio% 5e were p$anning on hitting 1ate's p$ace tonight%;

;,pen mic4;

+ s$ow smi$e to#ched his $ips% ;1ow* why e$se wo#$d ) come to +#stin4;

Chapter 11

.eter fo#nd Ryce waiting for him in the $obby of the gym% ;5here's Em4; he as"ed% is

mood hadn't impro(ed d#ring the time he'd been gone%

Ryce stood% ;She went home to change% She'$$ meet #s at rongdoings.;

.eter nodded and headed o#t the door% e didn't say anything at a$$ abo#t the "iss%

;) sho#$dn't ha(e "issed her*; Ryce 3#iet$y admitted when they p#$$ed #p o#tside of 1ate's


28/39

c$#b% e didn't want to go inside with hard fee$ings between them% )t wo#$d affect the rest of the

night* and the g#ys were bo#nd to pic" #p on it% +nd Em% +s the on$y gir$ and the ca#se of the

tension* she wo#$dn't fee$ comfortab$e%

Sti$$* .eter said nothing%

;6an* $et's st get this o#t before we go inside*; he said% ;) don't want Em fee$ing#ncomfortab$e beca#se of the "iss% )t didn't mean anything%;

-#t "issing Emi$$e meant e(erything to .eter%;Say something%;

Sharp$y* .eter t#rned his head to g$are at his friend% ;5hat do yo# want me to say* Ryce4 )

as"ed yo# not to mess wit

the chefs choice

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