The Chef's Choice

by 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$y% This eboo" may not be re'so$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#rchase yo#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%

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Chapter 1 This coming ,ctober* Emi$$e Carter wo#$d t#rn thirty'fi(e years o$d% +nd for her thirty'fifth birthday* Emi$$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 $ess women that were a few po#nds above a(erage% Ta"e .eter as an e/amp$e% .eter was one of (ery few men that she co#$d act#a$$y $oo" #p at% Jac"son* 0a(id* 1athanae$ and Ryce were more on her $e(e$ height'wise* b#t .eter was ta$$ and reed thin to their more h#s"y* m#sc#$ar b#i$ds% 1ot to say he wasn't fit% 2e'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% 2e 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 e/act$y what Ryce did to $oo" $i"e a god% -#t he e/isted on a strict regimen of mode$s* actresses* gro#pies* a$$ of whom had to be fo#rteen "arat and abo(e% Jac" $i"ed a $i(e$y* angry woman% 6ore acc#rate$y* he made t#rned them into hosti$e bit' S#ffice it to say* if he was her boyfriend* she'd d#mp him within twenty'fo#r ho#rs% -#t hey* women fe$$ for him $i"e rain% +nd he c$aimed to be faithf#$ whi$e he was with them% 0a(id4 5e$$* she'd ne(er act#a$$y seen him with a woman% -#t then again 0a(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%

.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 bench'press a b#ffa$o* and hai$ed roc" c$imbing in 8tah as their idea$ date% .eter's gir$friends dieted on pasta instead of sa$ads% .eter's gir$friends ' if they had breasts ' had breasts that nat#ra$$y defied gra(ity% They had breasts that a#gmenters #sed as e/amp$es of the idea$% .eter's gir$friends ne(er had to twist themse$(es into aw"ward positions in the mirror in order to ma"e s#re that their ass ce$$#$ite wasn9t showing thro#gh the fabric of their c$othes% .eter's gir$friends didn't ha(e #pper arms that were bigger than their faces% .eter's gir$friends were perfect% Emi$$e hated the bitches. .eter was perfect% 2e was the most caring* ta$ented* "ind* handsome man she "new% Emi$$e had years of e/perience in "nowing e/act$y what it wo#$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$e% ;2ey* Jeff*; she smi$ed sweet$y as she stood in the doorway of the office across from hers% The office had been .eter's years before when she'd started with Orson and Son Electrical Engineering, Inc. fifteen years before% ;2ey* Em*; Jeff Stafford rep$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 thirty'eight 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$$s to the gro#nd% 2e was what stood between the roc" and the hard p$ace where yo# either pic"ed #p yo#r coo"ie and fo$$owed the ten second r#$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<; she began% Sid$ing inside as on$y big gir$s can sid$e* Emi$$e entered the office and c$osed the door behind herse$f% The who$e office didn't need to hear this% ;Jeff*; she started again% ;)f yo# don't ha(e any p$ans for this 5ednesday* ) was wondering< 5o#$d yo# $i"e to ha(e dinner with me4; Jeff fro:e for a good ten seconds% +t first* Emi$$e didn't "now if he was going to $a#gh in her face* or what% Tho#gh it was hard* she made herse$f swa$$ow the an/iety that fo$$owed her bo$d in3#iry% 2e b$in"ed a few times then seemed to come o#t of his shoc"% ;)'m sorry* Emi$$e% ) don't'; Re&ection% )t b#rned* b#t she was #sed to this% She'd become a pro at hand$ing re&ection some h#ndred and twenty'eight po#nds before% ;)t's no prob$em if yo# can't*; she smi$ed% She'd become a pro at that too ' concea$ing h#rt fee$ings behind a happy smi$e% ;)'$$ &#st as" someone e$se% 6y friend .eter and ) went fishing this wee"end* and ) ca#ght a bass% 2e promised to coo" it for me on 5ednesday* b#t he'$$ be wor"ing so ) can't share it with him% 2e's the E/ec#ti(e Chef o(er at Jackson's Mark.; ;,h<; Jeff said s$ow$y% Emi$$e recogni:ed that tone% 2e was accepting the co(er'#p she'd thrown on her tr#e intentions% ,n$y one of two things co#$d happen now% Either he'd te$$ her he was sorry b#t he'd be b#sy this 5ednesday and co#$dn't ma"e it* b#t maybe ne/t time% ,r* he'd change his mind and

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$$e smi$ed and nodded% The Mark had gotten pretty pop#$ar o(er the past two years* e(en tho#gh it had been in b#siness for fo#r years now% =ate$y* they had a waiting $ist for reser(ations* b#t Emi$$e was an insider% 6anagement reser(ed a certain tab$e for specia$ g#ests% Tab$e n#mber twe$(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 to be4; She co#$dn't he$p the pride in her (oice* and the hea(y'$idded "now'it'a$$ e/pression on her face as she pro#d$y rep$ied* ;-etter% -#t then again* )'m biased%; Jeff's grin was so wide* his g$asses act#a$$y s$id bac" u his 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; ;)'$$ meet yo# there at se(en'thirty%; That wo#$d gi(e her eno#gh time to go home and change into something a $itt$e more date'friend$y% Tho#gh she #s#a$$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" who his 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$$y* Jac" had a say in what was fed to his g#ests% +nd it was .eter's responsibi$ity to prepare the men# and stic" to it% 2owe(er* there was an #nwritten #nderstanding when it came to Emi$$e% .eter c$aimed carte b$anche to prepare her mea$s off the men#% 2e p$anned these 5ednesday night dinners with care and precision* beca#se Emi$$e ne(er fai$ed to show #p for them% 2e sti$$ 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 twenty'something po#nds of big% She had a nice shape for someone her si:e* b#t it was #s#a$$y b#ried beneath $ayers and $ayers and $ayers of c$othing% 0espite her efforts to hide beneath mo#nds of c$othes* Emi$$e co#$dn't rea$$y change her nat#re% She $o(ed fashion and made #p for her poor choice of c$othing with impeccab$y maintained hair* nai$s* and ma"e#p% 7o# co#$dn't fai$ to rea$i:e she was an (ery bea#tif#$ woman% S#bse3#ent$y* she'd set herse$f #p for peop$e fee$ing free to te$$ her she'd be a gorgeo#s gir$* ;<if on$y yo#'d $ose some weight%; +fter seeing the damage that hel ful comments abo#t a woman's weight co#$d ca#se* .eter had estab$ished a po$icy with Emi$$e% 2e said nothing abo#t her appearance* #n$ess she went the e/tra mi$e on something% Then* he reser(ed his comments to a simp$e* '!ou look nice'* and $eft it there% ;5hat are yo# ma"ing for her tonight4; .eter reached o(er and p#$$ed forward a c#tting board a$ready set #p with a bass on it% ;She

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%; 0eft$y* he began to fi$$et the fish% ;) tho#ght )'d ser(e it with a sa(ory herb risotto* nothing too o(erpowering% +nd an ar#ga$a and baby spinach sa$ad%; 2e $oo"ed #p to see his friend nodding in appro(a$% ;)t's $ight* ) "now% -#t ) fig#red )'d ma"e #p for that by ma"ing that choco$ate raspberry tart she $i"es%; 1odding toward his drop'drawer* .eter said* ;The bi$$'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' e/pression. 2e 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$$ yo#4; ;8h* yeah% She said something abo#t bringing some g#y from wor"%; 2e started wor"ing on something e$se% 5ednesdays were a sort of brea" for him% 2is so#s'chefs were a$$ fami$iar with the men#* and e/cept for the occasiona$ 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 #isturb when 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* ;2ow 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$$y "ept a man aro#nd% 6aybe it was beca#se she had .eter* Jac"* 0a(id* and 1athanae$% +nd of co#rse* Ryce* whene(er he was bac" in town% Jac" tipped his head bac" and grinned% ;She's wearing red%; This time* .eter near$y spi$$ed a pot of hot water o(er on himse$f% -$ac" was the name of the game for Emi$$e% 2e tried hard* b#t he co#$dn't remember e(er seeing her in anything b#t b$ac"% 6aybe na(y* or brown% 6aybe a mishmash of b$ac"ish co$ors on a b$ac" base% -#t ne(er anything as bright as red% ;+re yo# ta$"ing abo#t her $ipstic"4; he as"ed* beca#se then that wo#$dn't be so strange% ;1ope*; Jac" sm#g$y rep$ied% 2is $ips c#r$ed and his eyes narrowed as he roc"ed his head from side to side reciting in an anno#ncer's (oice* ;She's wearing a bright red dress with a s$in"y $itt$e b$ac" bo$ero* and an >'me pair of $eopard print shoes with red hee$s%; .eter went a$ong with it #p #nti$ Jac" started describing the shoes* beca#se as inconcei(ab$e as it was that Emi$$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#$$y f$at abo#t a decade before% .eter wo#$d "now since he fo#nd nothing in the wor$d se/ier than a ta$$ woman in ta$$ hee$s% 2e co#$d e(en gi(e an appro/imate ro#nding of the year he'd $ast seen her in f$ats beca#se it was aro#nd the same time that her weight had gone off the rai$s a$most o(ernight% ;)'$$ stop by her tab$e once she's done eating*; he said need$ess$y% 2e a$ways stopped by her tab$e before she $eft% ;,"ay*; Jac" said* before he t#rned and departed thro#gh the swinging doors%

Chapter ! >or some reason* whi$e he wor"ed .eter spent the ne/t ho#r and a ha$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 0id she rea$$y $i"e this g#y that she'd bro#ght to dinner tonight4 She'd mentioned that he wo#$d be coming with her* b#t who had done the in(iting4 Jackson's Mark was Emi$$e's spot% 2ad 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#$dn't pre(ent the e/ha$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$$ man%' 2is $ogic was that e/treme$y ta$$ 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$$% )n most circ$es% 2e strode across the room and positioned himse$f behind Emi$$e's chair% 2is $ong arms wrapped aro#nd her sho#$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 0wayne Johnson had fina$$y $eft his e/'wife and decided to come find the woman of his dreams%; +s she'd intended* both men $a#ghed at her 3#ip% ;Jeff Stafford* )'d $i"e yo# to meet Chef .eter +n&o#*; she introd#ced% ;.eter* this is Jeff% 2e's the one that rep$aced yo#%; .eter* who had been p$easant$y sha"ing Jeff's hand* sw#ng his head aro#nd to $e(e$ a $oo" on Emi$$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 $ow'press#re acti(ity $i"e a mo(ie when he was between gir$friends% +nd he 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 e/p$ain* ;2e's one of the engineers at Orson and Sons. 2e's got yo#r o$d office%; ;,h4; he grinned* t#rning his attention bac" to Jeff% ;2a(e yo# fo#nd the p$#g'in coo$er behind the fi$ing cabinet4; ;7ep*; Jeff said with a $a#gh% ;Em here showed it to me on my first day%; ;0id she4 Em's a$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# $eft a big gap when yo# resigned*; Jeff contin#ed to say% ;)f it wasn't for her* ) thin" )'d ha(e had a m#ch harder time fitting in o(er there%; ;1o<; she g#shed* ;yo# wo#$d ha(e done &#st fine% 7o#'re awesome at yo#r &ob%; .eter's eyes narrowed% ;)'(e got to get bac" into the "itchen* Emi$$e*; he said% ;) &#st came o#t to remind yo# that yo#'re responsib$e for $#nch this wee"end%; Emi$$e $oo"ed across the tab$e at Jeff* then bac" at .eter% ;)'m sorry .eter* b#t ) ha(e p$ans this wee"end%; 2is brows shot a$most to his hair$ine% +nd considering .eter had a decent$y $ong face* that was saying something% ;Come again4; he as"ed% She mo(ed to stand* and he hastened to he$p her with her chair* noting that Jeff hadn't e(en tho#ght abo#t the co#rtesy% Jac" was right% This g#y wasn't her type% Emi$$e might be one of the g#ys* b#t they'd ne(er forgotten she was a $ady% )n

fact* .eter wo#$d m#ch rather she remain sing$e than date anyone who didn't "now her worth% ;) made p$ans for this wee"end%; .eter had a system% 2e ne(er had s$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$$e o#t on the water% So* it wasn't #nreasonab$e for him to e/pect that Emi$$e wo#$d be there this coming S#nday morning% ;5hat "ind of p$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$$ beca#se of the $itt$e &ac"et she was wearing% 5hat he did notice was the e/panse of creamy white c$ea(age% 2e'd a$ways "nown that she had a si:eab$e bosom* b#t things $i"e that were easy to forget when they were so we$$ 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"% 2e 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"% 1e/t thing she'd be ca$$ing to cance$ dinner on 5ednesdays% She'd a$ready as"ed him if the fish wo#$d be eno#gh to share with this gu"% 5hat ne/t4 .er(erse$y* he too" a step bac" to chec" o#t her shoes% S#re eno#gh* she was wearing a wic"ed pair of $eopard print sti$ettos% 2e hadn't e(en remembered that Em had s#ch shape$y ca$(es% )f that didn't confirm it* then nothing wo#$d% 2e co#$d bare$y remember ever seeing her ca$(es% ;7o# $oo" nice*; he said* abr#pt$y changing the con(ersation% Emi$$e b$in"ed at him% ;Thanks4; ;2ey*; he pointed o(er his sho#$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 $#nch%; ;,"ay*; she said on an e/ha$ed breath% ;) wi$$%; .eter reached o#t to sha"e the other man's hand% ;Jeff* it was a p$eas#re to meet yo#% 0on't be a stranger aro#nd here%; Jeff accepted the handsha"e with a wry smi$e% ;) wo#$d* if it wasn't so hard to get reser(ations to this p$ace%; -eca#se .eter "new deep down in his heart he wanted this to be the first and $ast time he e(er saw Jeff Stafford* he didn't pretend that the other man co#$d #se their association to get reser(ations% ;7eah*; he said with fa$se p$easantry% ;)t's the "ind of p$ace that peop$e come bac" to%; 5ith one $ast win" at Emi$$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 e/changing proper sentences% 1ot e(en rea$$y fishing% J#st ta"ing the morning to decompress% J#dging by the way he was acting now* she wasn't so s#re that her company wasn't as important to him as it was to her% She stepped away from the tab$e* her hand e/tended as if she co#$d reach o#t and stop him from wa$"ing away% %eter, are "ou oka"& That's a$$ she intended to say% ;.e'; 2e sw#ng aro#nd 3#ic"$y* instincti(e$y grabbing for her hand% -#t it was too $ate% They were too far apart%

Chapter " )t happened $i"e a horror fi$m in s$ow motion% ,ne min#te* Emi$$e had been striding stab$y on her p$atform sti$ettos* and in the ne/t instant her an"$e twisted at a grotes3#e ang$e and she was f$ying bac"ward% =ater* she swore that she'd seen $itt$e commas brac"eting her body as she'd f$own thro#gh the air% She had to $a#gh% ,r she'd cry% She had to ma"e peop$e $a#gh% ,r they'd see how she tr#$y fe$t in that moment% 2#mor made shame and embarrassment to$erab$e% 0idn't it4 So* she $a#ghed #nti$ she fe$t the b#rn of tears% Then she stopped* beca#se she wo#$d be mortified if she cried% ;,h6y?od@ ,h6y?od@ ,h6y?od@; That was Jeff repeating himse$f o(er and o(er $i"e a sta$$ed C0% She sh#t her eyes tight$y and wi$$ed herse$f awa"e% She si$ent$y* fer(ent$y prayed that if this wasn't a nightmare* that maybe she'd fa$$en bac" into her seat and b$own things o#t of proportion% 6aybe she hadn't tripped o(er her chair when she'd topp$ed bac"ward and $anded on top of the tab$e% +nd sent it ' and herself ' crashing to the f$oor% )f she "ept her eyes c$osed $ong eno#gh* e(ent#a$$y the peop$e who had t#rned their heads to in(estigate the noise and risen in reaction to the sight of a three h#ndred po#nd woman spraw$ed on the resta#rant f$oor wo#$dn't be $oo"ing at her% ;Em% Em* are yo# o"ay4; .eter as"ed% 2e was at her side in an instant* a$most as if he'd fo$$owed her to the gro#nd as she'd fa$$en% ,n$y* he'd fa$$en gracef#$$y% 1o one was reacting to the sight of him on his "nees% ;0id yo# h#rt anything4; $othing but '" ride and the furniture, she tho#ght% >eigning a bra(ery she was far from fee$ing* Emi$$e opened her eyes and smi$ed bright$y at him% 2e was a$armed as he t#gged her into a sitting position% ;)'m fine% )'m fine* .eter*; she promised% That didn't stop him from f#ssing* which on$y made things worse% ;2e$p me get her #p*; .eter bar"ed at Jeff% -e$ated$y* her date ' who had c$eared the fie$d of the accident in one s#perh#man $eap ' h#rried aro#nd the tab$e to he$p% Then* Jac" was there% +$$ three of them began t#gging her hands to get her bac" to her feet* b#t for some reason ' the ten ton weight of her mortification* most $i"e$y ' they co#$dn't $ift her% Emi$$e wanted nothing more than to get the he$$ o#t of 0odge and go $ic" her wo#nds in pri(ate* b#t apparent$y three men co#$dn't he$p her #p off the gro#nd% She'd ne(er fe$t e(ery o#nce of her three h#ndred and twenty'eight po#nds the way she did in that moment% She wanted to die% -#t she co#$dn't die% She co#$dn't die on the f$oor of the Mark* beca#se if she died* her pa$$bearers wo#$dn't be ab$e to $ift her #p% Oh '" god, her heart wai$ed% 2er eyes b#rned as she $i(ed thro#gh her worst nightmare% They'd ha(e to incinerate her there on the f$oor and cart her ashes away in whee$barrows% She co#$dn't $et herse$f start fee$ing this way* otherwise she'd ne(er get #p off that f$oor% So she ro$$ed to her side* and attempted to rise to her own feet* b#t the three men t#gging on her hindered more than they he$ped% S#dden$y* she became aware of a sharp pain c#tting thro#gh her right an"$e% ;,w@; she cried o#t* before she co#$d bite her $ip and end#re% E(en more embarrassing than an obese woman cr#shing a tab$e in a pac"ed resta#rant< e(en more embarrassing than the fact that three men co#$dn't $ift her* was an obese woman cr#shing a tab$e in a pac"ed resta#rant beca#se she'd decided to wear a pair of se/y sti$ettos on a fa"e date that she'd set #p for herse$f beca#se she was desperate to get $aid% This was it@ She wo#$d never date again% )t wasn't worth this h#mi$iation% ;7o#'re h#rt*; .eter acc#sed% ;She's h#rt*; Jeff anno#nced to e(eryone% They responded in "ind with soft m#rm#rs% Emi$$e groaned into her hands% Jac" was a$ready at her an"$e* remo(ing the shoe with the bro"en hee$ and inspecting her foot% ;)t doesn't fee$ bro"en*; he anno#nced with a grim e/pression on his face% ;0oes this h#rt*

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"% 2e 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 want his 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 ' $i"e he was seeing a s#perhero in action% 2e$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% 2e might be sma$$ and mighty* b#t a tragedy was bo#nd to occ#r% There was no way to stop it from happening beca#se .eter was wearing that e/pression* and no amo#nt of fast ta$"ing wo#$d ma"e him re$ease her% +$$ 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$$e% 2e carried her as if%%% She% 5eighed% $othing% She was aware of the tr#th tho#gh% She co#$d fee$ the tension in his m#sc$es and hear the way he caref#$$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% 2e c#rsed #nder his breath when his poc"ets came #p empty% 2e'd $eft his "eys in the drawer% ;)'(e got to go grab my "eys% =ean against the car% Stay right here and "eep yo#r weight off that an"$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% ;)'$$ drop it off in the morning%; 2e was so fr#strating% ;5hy are yo# being so nice4; 2is brows rose moc"ing$y% ;.ardon me% ) tho#ght friends $oo"ed o#t for each other%; ;) ha(e her p#rse*; Jeff anno#nced from behind him% >or her part* Emi$$e wanted to forget that he'd been present for tonight's episode of The

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% ;2ey* .eter@; Jac" ca$$ed as he &ogged across the par"ing $ot% ;7o# forgot yo#r "eys@; +s he drew c$oser* he said in a $ow (oice* ;0on't worry% )'(e got e(erything co(ered here%; 2e s$apped the ring into .eter's hand% ;7o# s#re yo#'re doing o"ay* "iddo4; he as"ed* ti$ting his head to inspect Emi$$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#'$$ do whate(er the doctor orders*; .eter informed her as he opened the door and handed her inside% 2e didn't say anything* b#t Emi$$e winced as the car s#n" to the right #nder her weight% 2e 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% )'$$ be fine* )'m s#re%; ;)f yo#'re not coming* )'m going to ta"e her to get that an"$e chec"ed o#t*; .eter snapped short$y% 2e didn't wait aro#nd to e/tend another in(itation% The man was c$ear$y #se$ess% ,nce they were #nderway* Emi$$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% )'$$ p#t an icepac" on it%; 2e c#t a g$ance her way% ;>or a$$ 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$$ers co#$dn't e$iminate% ;Jac" said nothing's bro"en* and ) be$ie(e him%; ;Jac" co#$d be wrong*; he protested% ;Jac" grew #p in +owbo"sville, Te/as% 2e's probab$y hand$ed more bones than any E%R% doctor% )f he says )'m fine* then )'m fine%; She bit her $ips% ;-esides* the pain is easing% 6aybe ) &#st twisted it in the fa$$%; .eter "ept his eyes on the road* b#t he spo"e in a $ow m#rm#r% ;2#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 Mark for 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%; 2is $ips compressed in disp$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$$ionaire ne/t to her% She rented the ho#se from him beca#se she'd gotten a fair dea$ on the three bedroom* two bathroom ho#se% +nd beca#se she tr#sted the $and$ord to maintain the property% -ac" when the rea$ estate ind#stry was booming* .eter had harnessed his ta$ents and started b#ying and remode$ing property ' tho#gh they were not &#st ho#ses% 1or did he in(est in strip ma$$s% 2e'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$$y afford% 2e paid the rent on a sing$e bedroom apartment in one of his own comp$e/es% 6anagement didn't e(en "now that the owner resided right #nder foot% The red 6#stang he dro(e was o(er ten years o$d% )t wasn't one of the f$ashy new (intage'inspired mode$s* neither was it a c$assic% )t was &#st an o$d 6#stang% .erhaps the thing that set him apart from most men was the care he p#t into the things he in(ested in% .eter's car wo#$d probab$y be aro#nd for another ten years% 2e be$ie(ed in maintaining (a$#ab$e things% E(en friendships% 2e c$imbed o#t of the car and ro#nded to open her door% Emi$$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*

fighting the #rge to wince and cry o#t in pain% 2er pa$ms and #pper $ip dampened with sweat% 0esperate$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% 0ri(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$$ed in to the office and e/p$ained that she'd had an accident% +pparent$y* Jeff had ca$$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$$ greased engine o(er there* b#t they p#t in some $ong* strange ho#rs% .eter "noc"ed on the door three times by the time Emi$$e was ab$e to open it% 2er 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% 2e'd ne(er rea$$y look at her anyway% .eter's "ind of woman didn't f$#sh% She g$owed% +nd if she fe$$ as$eep with mascara on* she didn't wa"e #p $oo"ing $i"e an o(erweight strawberry s"#$$% She wo"e #p with s'ok" e"es% ;7es% ) s#r(i(ed the night*; she gr#mpi$y anno#nced by way of greeting% 5ho wo#$dn't be gr#mpy when someone showed #p at their door at se(en in the morning $oo"ing $i"e 6r% S#nshine4 2e was e(en wearing an eye'b#rning neon ye$$ow t'shirt% +nd the damn shirt had the a#dacity to $oo" good on him% ;6ornin'% ) bro#ght yo#r car%; Emi$$e too" a good $oo" at him and wished she hadn't% 2e was dressed for a r#n% 2e co#$dn't ha(e had more than si/ ho#rs of s$eep* b#t here he was< ready to go for a r#n% ,ho does that& she wondered si$ent$y% ;7o# need a ride4; she as"ed instead% .eter shoo" his head% ;1o% )'d p$anned to do si/ mi$es this morning anyway% )t's on$y se(en bac" to my p$ace%; )t wo#$d ta"e him &#st o(er a ha$f an ho#r if he was fee$ing $a:y% ;1eed some water* or something4; She a$ready "new the answer% ;1o% )'$$ be fine*; he answered% 2e t#rned to $ea(e* b#t changed his mind and didn't step away% ;2ow's yo#r an"$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$$e was a tota$ wimp% + pinpric" was a ten as far as she was concerned% She might bite her $ip and end#re in si$ence* b#t any "ind of pain was a$ways bad pain% ;0id yo# ta"e any pain"i$$ers4; Typica$ .eter* he maintained a serio#s e/pression as he as"ed

abo#t her hea$th% ;7es% +nd yes they wor"ed% The ne/t set sho#$d "ic" in in abo#t another min#te% ,oh@; Emi$$e st#c" a finger into the air% ;There we go% .ain gone%; 2e ch#c"$ed at her h#mor% ;That's good to "now* b#t ) rea$$y wo#$d prefer it if yo# saw a doctor%; )t was her time to sober% ;=oo"% +bo#t the tab$e<; She co#$dn't stop the b$#sh that sto$e into her chee"s at &#st the memory of the night before% ;+nd e(erything e$se ) bro"e% J#st send me the bi$$ and )'$$ pay to ha(e it rep$aced%; .eter ro$$ed his eyes at her% ;Em% )t's not $i"e yo# had a bar fight% )t was an accident% )t co#$d ha(e happened to anybody%; ;-#t it didn't happen to an"bod"*; she whispered% ;)t happened to me%; ;7o#'re right% )t happ'end% End of story%; .eter too" two steps toward the stairs then seemed to thin" better of it% 2e bac"trac"ed* and Emi$$e ' thin"ing he'd changed his mind abo#t the water ' stepped bac" from the doorway on the wrong foot% 2er an"$e b#c"$ed beneath her and .eter was there at once* "eeping her #pright% ;) was &#st going to "iss yo# goodbye*; he e/p$ained% )t wasn't strange that he'd come bac" to do something $i"e that% Some of the habits he'd de(e$oped whi$e $i(ing in E#rope and =atin +merica had remained% 2e was (ery good abo#t "issing his friends on their chee"s* and sometimes on the bac"s of their hands% E(en the g#ys might merit a "iss on the chee" whene(er they hadn't seen each other for a whi$e% She ti$ted her face e/pectant$y% +nd was prompt$y "issed on the $ips% )t $asted $ess than a second% J#st $ong eno#gh for her to respond by $eaning into him% Then he was &ogging down her front steps and down the street $i"e a disappearing act in s$ow motion% =ess than a second was a$$ it too" for him to "iss her $ips% -#t it was ho#rs before she co#$d decide what to ma"e of the gest#re% 6aybe he'd "issed her on the $ips beca#se they were c$ose friends and the fa$$ had #pset him% )t was probab$y his way of showing he cared% 5hy e$se wo#$d .eter change #p his 6%,%4 )t wasn't $i"e he was interested in her in that way% She wasn't his type* and Emi$$e "new her p$ace better than anyone% 0idn't she pass her ref$ection in the mirror e(ery time she went into the bathroom for a shower4 +nd didn9t' she catch a g$impse of it d#ring the time it too" for her to step o#t of the shower and attempt to wrap as m#ch of her body as she co#$d into a towe$ that was made for someone ha$f her si:e4 .eter wo#$dn't "iss a gir$ $i"e her with anything b#t friendship in mind% 5ith one $ast s$ap against the fa$$ of be$$y that the sp$it in the towe$ fai$ed to concea$* Emi$$e went abo#t preparing for a trip to the doctor to chec" o#t her an"$e* fo$$owed by a wor"day at home%

Chapter $ Jac" had stopped by the apartment to pic" .eter #p that morning% They'd arranged it the night before% .eter wo#$d pic" #p Emi$$e's car at the resta#rant and de$i(er it to her* &#st in case she was cra:y eno#gh to want to go to wor" on a sprained an"$e% ,r in case she was smart eno#gh to ha(e wanted to ha(e said an"$e chec"ed o#t by a medica$ professiona$% +s far as .eter was concerned* Jac"'s anima$ h#sbandry s"i$$s were not re$iab$e for estab$ishing an acc#rate diagnosis% +s he po#nded the pa(ement bac" to his apartment* he co#$dn't seem to get Emi$$e o#t of his tho#ghts% )t was good that she was stepping bac" into the dating arena% 2er se$f'esteem had started going so#th as her weight increased* and she'd retreated more and more from romantic entang$ements% )n" entang$ements rea$$y% )t was the same way she'd retreated from wearing high hee$s and dressing #p% 2e hoped what happened the night before wo#$dn't so#r her for dating

again% 2is first memory of Emi$$e p$ayed thro#gh his mind% )t was the day she'd come in to app$y for a secretaria$ &ob at Orson and Son% .eter was on his way bac" to his office when he'd spotted her standing in front of the receptionist's des"% )t was ta"ing the receptionist o(er a ha$f an ho#r to 'deliver' J#nior's morning coffee* and e(eryone "new it wo#$d be another ha$f ho#r before she was done% .eter had ta"en one $oo" at the ta$$ woman in the se/y b$ac" s#it and prompt$y redirected himse$f to the front des"% +ny woman who co#$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; ;2e$$o% )'m Emi$$e Carter*; she'd rep$ied p$easant$y% ;Ky$e ,rson* J#nior in(ited me to come in and fi$$ o#t a &ob app$ication%; .eter's brows had risen at that% 2e'd gi(en Emi$$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$$* re(ea$ing the se/iest $itt$e c#r$s at her nape and abo(e her ears% 2er brows were thic"* b#t perfect$y shaped to accent#ate her bright* brown eyes% She was a c$assic bea#ty ' not the "ind that yo#'d find in maga:ines% -#t a$$ 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 $eanness% -#t what a lush it was% She wasn't a woman who wo#$d ever be ab$e to wear a man's shirt s#ccessf#$$y% The women in his $ife seemed to thin" it was se/y for them to p#t on his shirts after ma"ing $o(e% Emi$$e wo#$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$$* shape$y women who wore hee$s that made them ta$$er than him% She'd #n"nowing$y created a fetish for him% 2e 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$$e and sent her pac"ing% She wo#$dn't get the &ob* and he wo#$dn't get a chance to as" her o#t% Thin"ing bac" on it now* it was definitel" a good thing* beca#se fifteen years $ater* 6iche$$e was now the e/'wife and bane of Ky$e ,rson* J#nior's e/istence% Thin"ing J#nior had gotten to her first* .eter changed his mind abo#t approaching her with interest% 2e'd ended #p crac"ing a few &o"es as he'd he$ped her thro#gh the app$ication process* and had a$$owed himse$f to be '"-friend-i.ed. )t was definite$y good that things had wor"ed o#t that way% )t t#rned o#t Emi$$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%

+ few of the g#ys in the office had been teasing him abo#t his S#nday rit#a$* and Emi$$e had bo$d$y confessed that she was the on$y chi$d of an a(id ang$er so she saw nothing wrong with a man who preferred to spend his S#nday mornings on his boat% 5ith a tong#e in chee" e/pression* she'd s#ggested that she probab$y had more e/perience hand$ing a rod than a$$ of them in the office combined% The g#ys had g#ffawed abo#t it* b#t .eter had ta"en her serio#s$y% That afternoon* he'd stopped by her office and in(ited her to &oin him on his boat the ne/t S#nday morning* pro(iding her boyfriend didn't ob&ect% She'd gracio#s$y accepted his offer* e/p$aining that 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$$ anyway% )f he'd made a mo(e on her bac" then* he'd ha(e missed o#t on what had t#rned o#t to be a (ery c$ose friendship% 2is first and on$y with a woman% Then there was the fact that for whate(er reason* Emi$$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$$s% )t was $i"e she stopped e/pecting men to find her attracti(e* and s#bse3#ent$y* she'd stopped going to the effort of dressing attracti(e$y% ,h* her grooming was impeccab$e* b#t she was one head'piece away from a f#$$ on b#r3a% E(ent#a$$y* she'd started getting a $ot of criticism abo#t her si:e% -eca#se he'd wanted to be a good friend and offer her s#pport* .eter had ne(er mentioned anything to her abo#t the weight gain% )nstead* he'd tried to engage her in a$$ 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$$ acti(ities b#t fishing% .eter was a (ery physica$ man% 2e'd ne(er (omited a day in his $ife beca#se of physica$ e/ertion% Emi$$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$$ing to try to he$p herse$f% 2e was a$most home% ,h" did I kiss her& he as"ed himse$f for the tho#sandth time since he'd $eft her ho#se% 2e'd "issed her before% ,n her nec"% ,n her hair% ,n her hands% ,n her chee"s% 2er temp$es% E(erywhere b#t her $ips% .eop$e "issed their friends on the mo#th a$$ 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 $owered to her mo#th* and it happened% She'd been shoc"ed too@ Shoc"ed eno#gh to "iss him bac" instincti(e$y% Then her eyes had opened* and she'd seen it was him at the other end of that "iss% Emi$$e's start$ed e/pression had been eno#gh to send him bo$ting% 2e sho#$d ha(e apo$ogi:ed% They were friends and he didn9t want her to start thin"ing there was more there than there rea$$y was% 2e wasn't attracted to her in that way% Emi$$e was his fishing b#ddy% She was his b#ffer when he needed a date who didn't ha(e any e/pectations of him% )t wasn't often% -#t* there were e(ents that a man simp$y preferred not to ta"e the woman he was dating to% 2is co$$ege grad#ation% 2is grandmother's f#nera$% 2is mother's wedding% +nd so on% 2e'd &#st p$ay it off the ne/t time he saw her% She didn't p$an on fishing with him this S#nday*

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% 2e co#$d p$ay it coo$* and they'd get past that aw"ward stage a$$ the sooner% 2e was sti$$ 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$$e's $eopard print p#mp $ying on top of his des"% Jac" m#st ha(e p#t it there after they'd c$eaned #p the tab$e $ast night% 2is se$f'appointed feat became nigh on impossib$e as his ga:e "ept wandering to the s$im* red hee$ of her shoe% 2e was in tro#b$e% There were certain things that made certain women irresistib$e to certain men% 5hate(er his +chi$$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% 2e'd gone to the apartment to see her* b#t Emi$$e had s"ipped town that first wee"end% >ine% She'd said she had p$ans% +nd he "new that e(ery now and again she went home to (isit her fami$y% )t wasn't #nti$ she fai$ed to show #p for dinner the fo$$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 e/pected 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' '"/ 2e 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 e/pecting% +$$ he "new was that when he did manage to h#nt her down* he'd been def$ated% 2e hadn't e(en "nown he'd had e/pectations that co#$d be disappointed% 2e was sitting on her front porch when she p#$$ed into the dri(eway% Emi$$e sat in the car for a good fi(e min#tes* &#st staring at him thro#gh the tinted windshie$d% 2e maintain his re$a/ed pose on her front steps as he stared right bac"% The 6e/ican standoff wo#$d ha(e been am#sing if they weren't both death$y serio#s% >ina$$y* she c$imbed o#t of the car and p#$$ed an o(ernight bag from the bac"seat% 2is 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 $oo"ed different% E/ha#sted* certain$y% -#t there was something e$se there that he co#$dn't 3#ite p#t his finger on% She was wearing a t'shirt and shorts% 2e was seeing her "nees% 6aybe that was it% >or years*

Emi$$e's idea of shorts was capris% )d$y* he noted that her $egs were nice$y toned% E/cept for that one detai$* she rea$$y $oo"ed $i"e he$$% ;2ow $ong ha(e yo# been sitting here4; Emi$$e as"ed as she drew c$oser% ;=ong eno#gh*; he said* standing to fo$$ow her inside% She tossed her p#rse into a maga:ine rac" beside the door and "ept mo(ing% ;?rab me a minera$ water* wi$$ yo#4; .eter went into the "itchen and too" a co#p$e of bott$es from the refrigerator% 2e sighed hea(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$$e had sandwich fi/ings* a ta"eaway container from a seafood chain resta#rant* one from a Chinese p$ace* and ha$f of a rotting $ett#ce% The rest of the space was ta"en #p with water* minera$ water* and tonic water* and a we$$ 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$most e(ery night% 2e g#essed the habit st#c"% 2e start$ed when her (oice as"ed* ;5hy are yo# standing there staring into my fridge4; + wry smi$e twisted his $ips as he t#rned to face her% ;7o#'(e got to do better than this* Em%; 2er ga:e darted to the refrigerator and bac" to his face% ;5hat do yo# care4; she as"ed defensi(e$y% ;+s $ong as ) contin#e to spend my money at The Mark yo# don9t need to worry abo#t my eating habits%; 2is brows bo#nced a#tomatica$$y before he res#med a ne#tra$ e/pression% Somehow* he'd managed to get himse$f on thin ice% ;)s that what yo# rea$$y thin"4; he as"ed 3#iet$y% She ro$$ed her eyes and too" her be(erage from his hands% 2er dining at The Mark wasn't abo#t the money and they both "new it% )t was abo#t friendship% Jac" and .eter were her friends* so the resta#rant had become her fa(orite dining estab$ishment% )t was the one p$ace in this city where she co#$d go and be s#re that she'd b#mp into other friends% E(ery now and again* Jac"'s sister C$a#dia and her best friend 6arcia showed #p and they'd share a tab$e% 5hen 0a(id had b#siness in +#stin* he'd ma"e arrangements for 5ednesday* beca#se he "new Emi$$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$anned for her% 2a$f the time* he didn't e(en charge her for her mea$s% 2er acc#sation was #nfair* b#t Emi$$e wasn't abo#t to recant it% .eter was re$ent$ess% 2is eyes narrowed on her% ;+nswer me* Em% Te$$ me again why ) care abo#t yo#4; She co#$dn't stand that $oo"% The way he ga(e her his f#$$ attention when she wanted anything b#t% )t made her ner(o#s% 5hat did she do when she was ner(o#s4 =a#gh things away% ;=oo"* .eter*; she said with a wide* happy smi$e% ;7o#'re not ob$igated to care abo#t me* so chilla0 on the stress% )'m a big gir$% ) can ta"e care of myse$f%; )t wasn't his p$ace to "eep pestering her% 2e didn't want to pester her in the first p$ace* b#t< The tr#th was* .eter didn't "now why he'd come o(er this afternoon% 2e too" a sip of his water% There was an aw"ward si$ence as she seemed to be waiting for him to say something to her% 2e came #p with :ip% That "iss was a$ready affecting their re$ationship and if he didn't address it* it wo#$d become an iss#e% -eca#se of it* there was tension between them% 2e hadn't e(en been ab$e to greet her in the #s#a$ fashion% ;Em*; .eter said% ;+ct#a$$y*; she o(errode him% ;) ha(e a fa(or to as" yo#%; ) favor& She wants so'ething fro' 'e& 2e re$a/ed beca#se it wasn't e(ery day she as"ed for fa(ors% '5hat can ) do for yo#4; 1er(o#s$y* she $ic"ed her $ips% )nad(ertent$y* she $a#nched .eter's tho#ghts bac" to the "iss% 5hy was he thin"ing so m#ch abo#t something so innocent4 ;5ith Crossfit< is there any way to start sma$$4; 2e frowned% She was $oo"ing at him as if she e/pected him to $ash o#t at any moment% ;7eah*; he said s$ow$y% ;)t's &#st e/ercise% 7o# start at whate(er fitness $e(e$ yo#'re at%;

;) can't e(en do fi(e &#mping &ac"s%; 1ot if she wanted to a(oid her breasts smac"ing her in the face% .eter was ready for this% )t had ta"en him years to rea$i:e how he'd messed #p in his initia$ efforts to get Emi$$e acti(e% She'd needed to be in the right frame of mind to approach weight $oss% +nd he'd needed to start at her $e(e$ instead of trying to drag her a$ong on his% 2e had regretted his ignorance e(er since% -ac" then* Emi$$e had been #nab$e to wa$" a ha$f'ho#r mi$e% -#t* he'd dragged her a$ong on a fi(e mi$e hi"ing trip beca#se it had seemed an easy trip to him% 8nti$ he'd in(o$(ed himse$f in her fitness* Emi$$e hadn't been afraid of e/ercising% ;) ha(e a friend at the gym*; he said% ;She's a trainer% 5hy don't ) gi(e yo# her n#mber4 She'$$ ha(e a better #nderstanding of what yo# need%; 2e wrote .ortia's phone n#mber on a pad on the refrigerator% ;+nother fa(or4; she as"ed hesitant$y% 2e didn't $i"e this tentati(e thing she had going% ,ne of the reasons he $i"ed being aro#nd Emi$$e was beca#se she was a$ways the one bo$d eno#gh to say what was on her mind% She was the $ife of the party% The o#tgoing* (erbose person that peop$e gra(itated to beca#se of her s#nny so#$% ;+nything*; he promised% ;7o# "now that e/tra membership yo# ha(e4; ;+t the gym4; he as"ed% 5hen she nodded* he said* ;)t's yo#rs%; )t probab$y was hers% 2e co#$d ha(e gi(en it to any n#mber of peop$e o(er the years* b#t a part of him had he$d on to it &#st in case Emi$$e e(er showed any interest in &oining a gym% ;Than" yo#*; she said on a r#shed breath% ;5hat do ) need to do to acti(ate it4; 2e was a$ready writing on the pad again% ;There's my membership n#mber% ?i(e it to .ortia when yo# meet with her* and she'$$ see to it that yo#'re s3#ared away%; ;Than"s yo#*; she said* ta"ing the pad from him% .eter co(ered her hand% ;)'(e got to get going*; he said% 2e had a date tonight* b#t for some reason he didn't want to te$$ her abo#t it% 2e wo#$dn't ha(e tho#ght twice abo#t gi(ing her the detai$s abo#t Katie before* b#t he was now rea$i:ing that Emi$$e wasn9t one of the g#ys% She was something e$se entire$y* and that made him want to treat her different$y% ,n$y* he didn9t "now how% ;Ca$$ .ortia% She's not yo#r typica$ trainer% She "nows how to get yo# where yo# want to go beca#se she's ta"en the same road%;

Chapter & )t was another two months before .eter saw her again% This time* he didn't $ose patience beca#se they spo"e on the phone at $east twice a wee"% 2e didn't $i"e the idea that she'd stopped dining at the stea"ho#se* b#t if she was on a fitness "ic"* it was probab$y best that she too" her own n#trition in hand% She'd ta"en his ad(ice and gone to see .ortia at the Crossfit center% +ccording to .ortia* she'd done meas#rements and tests to ascertain Emi$$e's body fat percentage* her b#i$d* and her c#rrent fitness $e(e$ in order to estab$ish a rea$istic and attainab$e set of goa$s% Emi$$e was a$ready si/ty po#nds $ighter* a testament to her efforts% -#t she wasn't the one who'd to$d him of her progress% )n fact* a$$ his attempts to steer their con(ersations in that direction were met with two sharp right t#rns% 2e wasn't e(en witnessing it for himse$f% Emi$$e wor"ed o#t at home in the mornings* and at the gym at nights% Since the resta#rant was open fi(e nights a wee"* .eter tended to do his own wor"o#ts mid'morning% Aery rare$y did he go to the center d#ring the e(enings* and he'd need a pretty good e/c#se to start now% Emi$$e was eno#gh of a reason% The $ast time she'd been si/ty po#nds $ighter was what< fi(e

years ago4 2e wasn't e(en s#re what she'd $oo"ed $i"e at the time% That 6onday e(ening* .eter fo#nd himse$f at the gym by si/ o'c$oc"% She wasn't there yet% )t was dar" o#t* and he brief$y wondered if the change in seasons wo#$d ha(e an impact on Emi$$e's reso$#tion to transform her hea$th% Then he dismissed the idea% .ortia had said Emi$$e wor"ed o#t $i"e a woman on a mission% She'd be fine% So fine in fact* that when he chanced to ta"e a $oo" at the woman powering it o#t on the treadmi$$ se(en p$aces o(er* .eter missed his footing and s$ipped off the con(eyor% )t was on$y his height* ergo his reach* that sa(ed him from a disastro#s fa$$% Than"f#$$y* she was so deep$y foc#sed on her wor"o#t that she didn't see his reaction to her transformation% 1ot wanting to ma"e her #ncomfortab$e* .eter #nc$ipped the "ey and bac"ed away% >rom the safety of the $ifting area* he obser(ed her% Emi$$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% 2e 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" t'shirt and capris% -#t he co#$d see that her efforts had paid off big time% 2er sho#$ders were sharper* and she $oo"ed ta$$er and $eaner% 2e co#$dn't "eep the grin off his face% )t was a$$ he co#$d do to "eep his foc#s on his own wor"o#t% Emi$$e had e(en gone to the e/tent of in(esting in a pair of r#nning shoes to match her headphones% 5ho wo#$d ha(e tho#ght4 The thic" $ength of her ponytai$ bo#nced with the rhythm of her steps% >or the ho#r that it too" him to wor" thro#gh the weights section of the gym* Emi$$e stayed on that treadmi$$* pa#sing on$y $ong eno#gh to ta"e a sip or two from her water bott$e% )t was a far cry from the days when she co#$dn't e(en wa$" a mi$e% 5hen it $oo"ed $i"e she was ready to begin the circ#its* .eter $eft the gym% 2e'd a$ready been there that day% This was her time* and he didn't want to do anything that wo#$d brea" her foc#s% 5hen he too" $ast $oo" at her o(er his sho#$der* she was wor"ing thro#gh a set of $#nges% Right on c#e* she ca$$ed him a few days $ater% ;2ey* stranger*; he answered% ;2ey there yo#rse$f*; she rep$ied cheerf#$$y% ;2ow're yo# doin'4; ;+in't no s#nshine when yo#'re gone*; he sang in his baritone% She s#c"ed her teeth% ;7o# are so f#nny%; ;)'m so serio#s*; .eter confessed% ;)t's been what< two months4 ) miss yo#%; 2e $i(ed right down the road from her* b#t between his wor" sched#$e and her ho#rs at the gym* it wasn't as if he co#$d &#st drop in on her%; ;)t hasn't been two months%; ;J#st abo#t% ) "now% )'(e been co#nting the S#ndays and 5ednesdays%; ;That's what )'m ca$$ing abo#t*; she said% ;Can yo# come o(er when yo# get a chance4 ) want to ta$" to yo# abo#t something%; )t was >riday night% She wo#$dn't be going in to wor" tomorrow% ;2ow abo#t ) come o(er after wor"4; Emi$$e snorted% She act#a$$y snorted at him% ;0on't yo# "now* .eter4 Cas#a$ arrangements between midnight and fo#r are booty ca$$s%; 2e $a#ghed o#t $o#d at that% ;So* yo#'re ca$$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$$* he co#$d imagine the e/pression on her face ' that tight$ipped way she tried to not smi$e% )t was what "ept a smi$e on his face% 2e'd missed this% +n #nhappy woman was a miserab$e thing% 1ot that Emi$$e was miserab$e* or made him miserab$e% J#st* when she wasn't happy* the part of

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$$ ho#rs% +nd ) did not as" yo# to come by d#ring said ho#rs% !ou offered%; ;5e$$* dar$in'*; he draw$ed f$irtatio#s$y* ;yo#'re &#st gonna ha(e to ta"e me when yo# can get me% ) won't ha(e any free time for the ne/t 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% 2e was e/cited 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 ) see yo#%; Emi$$e didn't "now what to do with herse$f% She wanted to $oo" her best% This was the first time he wo#$d be seeing her in a month% +t the time she'd $ost twenty'fi(e po#nds* b#t they weren't noticeab$e% Si/ty'fi(e po#nds was a h#ge$y noticeab$e difference% )t wasn't m#ch* considering her goa$% She was sti$$ 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$$% .eter wo#$dn't e/pect her to be wearing anything b#t her pa&amas anyway% +nd it wasn't $i"e she co#$d $ay aro#nd in a peignoir waiting for him ' not that she owned one% The "noc" on her front door came a$most an ho#r $ater e/act$y% She opened the door to .eter% ;2ey%; >or $ong moments* he &#st stood there* staring at her with a strange $ight in his eyes as his ga:e ro(ed o(er her% + pro#d $itt$e smir" appeared on his $ips as he presented her with a sma$$ to' go bo/ from Jackson's Mark. ;) made this for yo#*; he said* handing her the bo/% ;5hat is it4; she as"ed* $oc"ing the door behind him% 2is 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 e/traordinary chef* b#t he had one partic#$ar specia$ty% 6ignardises% 2e was a$ways $oo"ing for an e/c#se to create the tiny pastries% .eter m#st ha(e noticed the change in her e/pression beca#se he hastened to e/p$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

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"$y% ;-#t* .eter% ) can't accept this%; 2e sobered instant$y% ;5hy not4; Emi$$e fe$t h#nted as she so#ght for a way to escape ha(ing to answer him% ;S#ffice it to say* that tho#gh ) appreciate the tho#ght* ) cannot accept this%; She tried to hand it bac" to him% .eter ignored her% She was the one who had inspired him to go and re(ise the whee$ in the first p$ace% 5hat the he$$ was she ta$"ing abo#t now4 Emi$$e rea$$y hated it when he $oo"ed at her that way% ;Stop g$aring at me $i"e that@; she snapped% 2is e/pression became the definition of ne#tra$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$ded her arms across her chest% ;2ow thoughtful of yo#*; she said wry$y% She probab$y e/pected him to apo$ogi:e% )nstead* what she got was a thoro#gh$y tic"ed off .eter% 2e was bac" to g$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$$e &er"ed her head bac" in s#rprise% Is he hurt& ;.eter* it's not yo#r coo"ing that'; ;7o# stopped coming aro#nd%; She was his biggest fan% 2e wanted her to p#rs#e a hea$thier $ifesty$e* b#t .eter wasn't going to $ie to himse$f% +s m#ch as he wanted the o$d Emi$$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% 2er e/pression 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$$ed yo# tonight% +nd as for the desserts*; she wa(ed her hands aro#nd in fr#stration% ;)'m &#st not there yet% ) ha(e a hard eno#gh time contro$$ing myse$f with my mea$s%; 2e b$in"ed% ;) don't #nderstand yo#%; She $ed him o(er to the $i(ing room and sat ne/t 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 $ost si/ty'fi(e po#nds%; She waited for his reaction since he hadn't noticed it himse$f% 2e 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%; 2e p#$$ed her into his arms% ;7o#'(e got nothing to be ashamed of%; 0espite her attempts to p#sh away* he he$d firm% ;)t's hard to be$ie(e that% Especia$$y coming from a man who's ne(er str#gg$ed with his weight a day in his $ife%;

;) 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 e/treme$y thin men attracti(e* and Emi$$e was &#st $i"e the rest of them% 2ow many times had he heard her g#shing o(er hea(i$y b#i$t m#sc#$ar men4 The on$y time he'd e(er gotten a reaction o#t of her was that first S#nday morning when she'd &oined him fishing% They'd gone o#t on the water at dawn* b#t as the s#n had risen with the temperat#re* .eter had stripped o#t of his shirt% 2e'd been twenty'fi(e at the time% )n the prime of his $ife% Emi$$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$$e had swift$y e/ting#ished whate(er f$ame of attraction had been "ind$ed% She'd patted his stomach and said* ;1ice abs* .eter% 0idn't "now yo# had a$$ that #nder yo#r c$othes%; 2e'd wor"ed hard to maintain that body e(er since* b#t no matter how many S#nday mornings she'd spent with him shirt$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 si/ty po#nds*; she comp$ained% ;+nd ne/t 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$$e*; he said with a bored e/pression% 0efeated* she sat forward on the sofa in m#$ish si$ence% 2e t#gged on her ponytai$% Emi$$e was dressed in her pa&amas% )t was white $inen shorts and a white camiso$e% They were far too big for her% 2e'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 her c$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% 2er arms were toning #p nice$y as we$$% Those he co#$dn't remember ever seeing* #n$ess she was dressed for bed% Em's arms and sho#$ders were on $oc"down for most of their association% Then there were her breasts% She co#$d $ose e(erything e$se* b#t .eter was definite$y in fa(or of her "eeping the breasts% She wasn't near$y as far from perfect as she tho#ght% -#t* he co#$dn't te$$ her that% Emi$$e wo#$dn't be$ie(e him% 1ot yet anyway% ;-y the way% 2ow ta$$ are yo#4; he as"ed* reaching for the container of mignardises% ;Si/'two*; 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;

;1ot e/act$y% ,ne forty'fi(e%; She proceeded to e/p$ain* ;)f ) weigh one forty'fi(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% ;0on't try to te$$ me yo#'re not attracted to stic"s* .eter% )'(e seen yo# in action% Remember4; ;5rong% ) $i"e tall women%; 2e g$anced at her o#t of the corner of his eye and popped a piece of choco$ate raspberry tart into his mo#th% ;Thirty'fi(e ca$ories%; She $oo"ed at the p$ate and the coffee% .eter's c#p had mi$" in it% 2e probab$y had s#gar too% 2ers was &#st b$ac"% ;7o# don9t $i"e fat women tho#gh%; ;) do#bt there's a man a$i(e that $i"es women who aren't fit% )f a woman's not fit* the se/ s#ffers% )'m an acti(e man* Em% )n bed and o#t of it%; Emi$$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$air% 2e ch#c"$ed to himse$f when her eyes f$ared in o#trage* b#t she didn't say a word abo#t it% 2e 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$e% 2onest$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% ;0on't e(er do this to me again*; she said in a sma$$ (oice% 2er tone got his attention% 2e 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% 2er $ashes $owered% ;.eter* )'m serio#s abo#t this%; She set her face in a m#$ish e/pression% ;) 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 trust him4 Their who$e friendship was based on tr#st% Em had ne(er fai$ed to ha(e his bac" ' #nti$ recent$y% +nd now that she'd e/p$ained her intention to ret#rn to The Mark once she reached her goa$* he wasn't so #pset abo#t her p#tting her (isits to the resta#rant on pa#se% -#t this4 2ow co#$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#% ) need yo# 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 in&#red her

an"$e* her doctor had r#n some tests and gi(en her the diagnosis% Emi$$e wo#$dn't 3#ite meet his eyes% )n a $ow* hoarse (oice* he said* ;7o# ne(er said anything%; ;) didn't want yo# to "now%; She'd con(inced herse$f that her weight wo#$dn't be so embarrassing as $ong as she wasn9t diabetic% ,nce she'd been diagnosed* Emi$$e had decided to ta"e contro$ of her $ife% That tab$e represented more than &#st< )t was a t#rning point in her $ife% ;5hen did yo# find o#t4; She co#$dn't te$$ him% ;+ few months ago%; ;+ few months ago* when4; he p#shed% ;5i$$ yo# he$p me4; she as"ed instead of answering his direct 3#estioning% ;7o# &#st as"ed me to care more*; he reminded her% ;1ow* answer my 3#estion% 5hen did yo# get this diagnosis4 5as it before the accident4; Ref#sing to answer his 3#estions was appea$ing* b#t if she was as"ing for his he$p* it was on$y fair that she gi(e a f#$$ disc$os#re% ;The ne/t day my bac" was h#rting* so ) went to see my doctor% 2e decided to chec" me for it* and (oi$a%; 2is eyes grew wider and wider the more she ta$"ed% ;)nd "ou didn't tell 'e&; he a$most sho#ted% ;) didn't want yo# to "now%; ;Me* Em4; .eter as"ed* incred#$o#s% ;5ho e$se do yo# ha(e in this city to ca$$ if anything happens to yo#4; She had Jac"* and 1ate* b#t they weren't hi'% 2e'd "nown her $onger% She was his friend% ;+re yo# "idding me right now4 Ca#se if yo# are* )'m te$$ing yo#* yo#r &o"e s#c"s%; ;) wo#$dn't &o"e abo#t something $i"e this*; she said* h#rt% .eter thr#st himse$f bac" against the sofa and ran his hands o(er his face% ;Someday* Emi$$e Carter*; he sighed* ;yo#'re going to be the death of me%; She didn't say* I'' sorr". )f she had it to do o(er again* she probab$y wo#$dn't ha(e to$d him% -#t he'd bro#ght desserts% +s far as she was concerned he might as we$$ ha(e to$d her she'd ne(er be hea$thy again% 2is intentions might ha(e been good in red#cing the ca$ories per ser(ing* b#t a$$ she heard was the moc"ery of her efforts% +fter $ong moments of si$ence* where he &#st sat there g$aring at the bac" of her head* Emi$$e fe$t him shift forward on the sofa% ,#t of her periphera$ (ision* she watched him r#b his big pa$ms o(er his "nees a few times% 2e co#$dn't be$ie(e it% )t sho#$dn't come as s#ch a shoc" to him* b#t nonethe$ess* he was shoc"ed that something so h#ge had happened in Emi$$e's $ife and she hadn't to$d him% 2e was f#rio#s that she'd $et her hea$th get so o#t of contro$ that this had happened to her% +nd he was (ery m#ch ashamed that he had done nothing to he$p her% 2e tho#ght abo#t a$$ those fattening* s#gary dishes he'd prepared for herC and how he hadn't bothered to care abo#t her inta"e of ca$ories and cho$estero$ #nti$ she'd ta"en an interest herse$f% 2e tho#ght abo#t how he'd &#dged her for choosing to stop dining at the resta#rant once she decided to start e/ercising% +nd* he tho#ght abo#t the c#stomers who bo#ght mea$s from him% They didn't care that what they p#t into their bodies determined their we$$being* b#t he "new* and as a professiona$* he was informed and sho#$d care% 2is ga:e ca#ght on the treats he'd tempted her with% 2er fa(orites% Then* he tho#ght abo#t her resistance to the temptation% 2esitant$y* #ns#re whether his gest#re wo#$d be we$comed or not* .eter e/tended his hands and co(ered her "n#c"$es% 5hen she made no effort to p#$$ away* he c$osed his eyes in re$ief% S$ow$y* he bro#ght her hands to his $ips and pressed his $ips against her "n#c"$es% ;5hat do yo# need from me4; he breathed against her s"in% 2e a$$owed a sma$$ smi$e to p$ay at the corners of his $ips% ;) need yo#r s#pport*; she rep$ied sincere$y% She s#c"ed her $ower $ip into her mo#th* b$in"ing as if she was wa"ing from a trance% ;) need he$p with my wee"$y men#*; Emi$$e contin#ed% ;.ortia and my doctor ha(e wor"ed o#t my dietary re3#irements* b#t it's so strict that ) "eep brea"ing it% The food isn't appea$ing* and the recipes are o#t of my b#dget% )'(e seen yo# t#rn

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$$y wor" with%; ;0o yo# ha(e the $ist4; he as"ed% She was o#t of her seat $i"e a shot* disappearing into the "itchen% .eter fo$$owed at a more sedate pace% 2e 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%; 2e opened the door to get it for her* and had to stop and stare% ;0o ) 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% 2e 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$at pac"ages in the free:er% 2e dropped a few c#bes into her g$ass and shoo" his head% ;1o* ma'am% ) thin" yo#'(e made a rea$$y good start%; ;) rea$$y appreciate yo#r he$p* .eter*; she said% 2e deposited her g$ass on the tab$e before shifting the stac"s of c$othing maga:ines that she had 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% 2er 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$$ed o(er and $oo"ed at the c$oc" on her nightstand% E$e(en forty'two% +fter br#shing her teeth and washing the s$eep from her eyes* Emi$$e na(igated her way to the "itchen e/pecting 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$ing near the sin"% 1e/t to it* pinned in p$ace by brand new pac"ages of storage containers and bags* was a note addressed to 'E'.' )t he$d the recipe for chic"en so#p made with non'starchy (egetab$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 'Free.e the leftovers into ortions.' 2e m#st ha(e gone o#t whi$e she'd s$ept% 5hen .eter arri(ed at wor" $ater that day he was a man with a mission% 6ost of the food on the men# at The Mark were dishes that peop$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

she4 Three h#ndred4; )t was .eter's t#rn to sit #pright% ;She's $ost si/ty'fi(e po#nds and co#nting%; ;E'ille4; Jac"son as"ed% 2e was c$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$d him abo#t Emi$$e's s#ccess% Jac" had "nown Emi$$e bac" when too% 2e nodded% ;)t's coming bac"%; ;)t's been a whi$e since ) saw her% ) sho#$d probab$y gi(e her a ca$$%; ;7o# sho#$d probab$y gi(e Marcia a ca$$*; .eter said specifica$$y% ;0id yo# want to ta$" abo#t Emi$$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$$ yo# is that her diabetes got me thin"ing% 2e proceeded to e/p$ain his ideas to impro(e the 3#a$ity of the foods ser(ed at the resta#rant to Jac"son* p#shing forward the first draft of his proposed new men#% ?ra(e$y* Jac" considered the men#% +fter a few min#tes he $oo"ed #p and said* ;7o# do "now this is a stea"ho#se% Right4; .eter opened his hands% ;)s there anything on that men# that's not stea"ho#se friend$y4; Jac" read the men# again% )t too" e(en $onger for him to finish this time% ;Can yo# te$$ me in a$$ honesty that these changes won't affect b#siness4; That was the bottom $ine* after a$$% ;1o*; .eter answered tr#thf#$$y% ;)'m not s#re% ) ha(en't researched it eno#gh* b#t ) "now there are entire gro#ps o#t there that can't come to The Mark beca#se we are not dietetic eno#gh%; ;The "itchen is yo#r domain*; Jac" rep$ied% ;The on$y thing )'(e got to te$$ yo# is that The Mark is a stea"ho#se% )f yo# try to t#rn it into a green bar yo# and ) wi$$ ha(e words% 5e specia$i:e in steaks*; he wa(ed his hand in the air neg$igent$y% ;-#t we offer a b#nch of hea$thy a$ternati(es too%; .eter* who had $eaned bac" in his chair with fingertips tapping a se3#ence whi$e he $istened ha$fhearted$y to Jac" shoot down the idea* $oo"ed #p and fro:e% Tho#gh .eter was a ma&or in(estor in the resta#rant* it was sti$$ 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 owner of The Mark* 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 $a#ghed% 2e stood and e/tended his hand to Jac" to sha"e% ;Than"sgi(ing's coming #p% 5e can try o#t a hea$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 thighsC b#t beneath a$$ that* she was b#i$ding a roc" so$id body% She'd ne(er fe$t se/ier in her $ife% Since her ta$" with .eter three wee"s before* she'd $ost another twenty po#nds% -eca#se she

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$$e appreciated most was the desserts% The c$eaner her diet became* the easier it was to ma"e wise choices% 0#ring fo$$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$e topper that he'd car(ed into the n#mber eighty to mar" her eighty po#nd mi$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$$e's trainer had been three h#ndred and forty'fi(e po#nds at fi(e feet and si/ inches ta$$% 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#$$ concentration on comp$eting the $ast three reps% 5ith a s#dden b#rst of e/ha$ation* she finished* sat #p and readied herse$f to wipe down the station% She was a comp$ete wrec"% >rom the crown of her sweaty head to the tips of her sweaty toes* she was a dripping* e/ha#sted mess% -#t she'd ne(er fe$t more awesome% Today* her doctor had to$d her that she was no $onger diabetic% She sti$$ had to wor" to get o#t of the category of pre'diabetic* b#t for the first time in years* she fe$t optimistic abo#t her f#t#re% ;5hat's #p* yo# se/y beast yo#4; someone grow$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* deep'set gray eyes met her own beneath his $ongish pompado#r sty$e hairc#t% Tho#gh it was o#t of p$ace in the gym* this c$ean'c#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% 2e 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 2ow did yo# "now ) was here4; 2e 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% 2is eyes ac"now$edged her* b#t he didn't cease his wor"o#t% 2e was as sweaty as she was% She wa(ed* b#t a frown marred her smi$e as she t#rned her attention bac" to the peop$e's n#mber one most bea#tif#$ man of the year% ;2ow $ong ha(e yo# g#ys been here4; Ryce f$ic"ed his wrist to chec" his watch% ;+bo#t two ho#rs now*; he rep$ied% ;2e wo#$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$e/ing in front of her friends% ;) saw yo# chec"ing yo#rse$f o#t*; he teased% She grabbed her towe$ and sashayed past him% ;Somebody's got to do it%; Ryce wo$f'whist$ed as she wa$"ed away% ;7o# ma"e sweaty se0"%; +t the $ast moment* Emi$$e stopped and $oo"ed o(er her sho#$der% ;5ipe down that bench for

me* wi$$ yo#4 )'m going to ha(e a shower% +nd then )'m coming bac" for my "iss from the 'se/iest man a$i(e'% ;) didn't bring yo# here to f$irt with her*; .eter gr#mb$ed when Ryce ret#rned to his side% Ear$ier that day* when Ryce had ca$$ed to say he needed a brea" from his to#r and wo#$d be f$ying into town* .eter had been e/cited 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 $ife% .eter was not impressed% 5hi$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$$e's ama:ing transformation% She still hadn't p#rchased a new set of wor"o#t c$othes* b#t connoisse#rs $i"e Ryce wo#$d ha(e no tro#b$e seeing what was beneath the $ayers% Especia$$y since Emi$$e was wearing an o$d t'shirt that she had ripped the s$ee(es o#t of% +n o$d t' shirt from the days when Ryce had gone by the name +aleb% 1ow* he #sed his f#$$ 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%; ;0on't ) "now it*; Ryce said with a $echero#s smi$e% ;She's my specia$ gir$%; Choosing to ignore the fact that all of Ryce's smi$es were $echero#s* .eter started his bo/ &#mps% 2is friend was ab$e to simp$y stand there and $oo" fit% .eter had to do a$$ sorts of strength training e/ercises in order to maintain eno#gh m#sc$e mass to be comparab$e to Ryce% E(en then* he'd on$y ended #p $oo"ing $eaner and more ripped instead of b#i$t $i"e his b#ddy% Ryce was Emi$$e's type% 8nti$ that moment* .eter had ne(er resented his own physi3#e more% 5hen .eter's e/pression smoothed o#t* Ryce ' who had started a set of power c$eans to "i$$ time ' stopped after the third one% 2e ga(e .eter a thro#gh $oo"* his eyes narrowing% ;2ey*; he said after a whi$e* ;there's nothing going on between yo# and Emi$$e* is there4; The g$ance .eter rac"ed him with was scathing% Shr#gging bac" into his $eather &ac"et* Ryce decided to $et .eter wor"% 2is si$ence $asted abo#t ten min#tes% 2e was comp$ete$y incapab$e of ignoring something $i"e this% ;Serio#s$y* man*; he said at $ast% ;)s there something going on between yo# and Em4; ;1o%; ,ne word% +nd .eter didn9t so#nd too happy abo#t that% ;0o yo# want something to go on between yo# two4; Ryce as"ed s$ow$y% ;There's nothing there to go on*; .eter anno#nced* his brow &er"ing in annoyance% Ryce snorted% ;Come on* man% This is me yo#'re ta$"ing to% ) remember when yo# had the hots for her% She's starting to $oo" $i"e that gir$ again%; 2e 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

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 with her 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$$e* Ryce $oo"ed down at his feet considering% 2e had wor"ed hard to c#$ti(ate his rep#tation as a $adies' man% )t came with his &ob% -#t to hear his best friend say he wasn't good eno#gh for a woman $i"e Emi$$e< that h#rt% E(ery where he t#rned* he was $earning how easy it is to h#rt somebody yo# cared abo#t% ;0on't yo# thin" she'd find it strange if ) didn't f$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$$e said again soft$y% ;)'d find it strange if yo# stopped f$irting with me%; She came o(er to the bench on which Ryce was seated and t#gged him #p% ;1ow* gi(e me my "iss and ma"e it good% ) p#t on perf#me for yo#%; Ryce saw the de(i$ in her eyes &#st a sp$it second before her $ips were pressed against his% She wanted a "iss $i"e the ones he ga(e o#t on stage% The "ind of "iss that made him famo#s% So* he ga(e it to her* wrapping his arms aro#nd her body* and ti$ting her bac"ward% 2e'd tho#ght for s#re Emi$$e wo#$d change her mind once he went f#$$ tong#e on her* b#t she s#rprised him% She was doing this beca#se she'd heard their con(ersation* and he didn't want her fee$ing $i"e anything $ess than a desirab$e woman% So* Ryce did what any good friend wo#$d do% 2e made s#re* in that "iss* that Emi$$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% 2e credited Emi$$e with his s#ccess% )t was her who had s#ggested he "i$$ +aleb* and &#st e/ist as +aleb 2"ce% That night* ten years ago had been 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 e/pression brightened% ;2ey* 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#% 0a(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% 2is mood hadn't impro(ed d#ring the time he'd been gone% Ryce stood% ;She went home to change% She'$$ meet #s at ,rongdoings.; .eter nodded and headed o#t the door% 2e didn't say anything at a$$ 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

c$#b% 2e didn't want to go inside with hard fee$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 with her* and ten seconds $ater yo#r tong#e's down her throat% 5hat do yo# rea$$y want me to say4; ;Te$$ me if yo#'re sti$$ in $o(e with Emi$$e%; ;) was never in $o(e with Emi$$e*; .eter said derisi(e$y% ;She and ) ha(e a$ways been friends% That's it%; ;>ine% 7o# fe$$ in $o(e with her* became friends* and the attraction went away% )f yo#'re fa$$ing for her again* yo# need to do something abo#t it this time%; 5omen came easy to Ryce* and so he co#$dn't #nderstand that Emi$$e wasn't interested in dating .eter% 1or wo#$d he consider that if .eter showed any rea$ interest in her* Emi$$e wo#$d be$ie(e that it was beca#se she'd recent$y $ost weight% + "noc" on his window stopped him from ha(ing to respond% Emi$$e was standing o#tside* a wide grin on her face% ;7'a$$ ready4 0a(id and Jac" are here%; They c$imbed o#t of the car% .eter was a$ready braced for what he'd see* b#t he worried that Ryce wo#$d b$#rt o#t the thing that came first to his mind% )t was $ate September* b#t Emi$$e was wearing one of those dirt sweeping $ong dress that women wore d#ring the s#mmer time in a mash'#p of a$$ the dar" co$ors% )t was too big for her% ,(er that she'd tossed a $ong b$ac" cardigan% +gain% )t was too big for her% Since she wasn't either on the same $e(e$ or ta$$er than .eter* he g#essed that she wasn't wearing hee$s either% ;) tho#ght yo#'d be showing off those se/y $egs )'(e been hearing so m#ch abo#t*; Ryce said* coming aro#nd the hood of the car% ;Man* ) remember how yo#'d stop traffic with them%; Emi$$e frowned% ;=egs4; 5ith a 3#ic" g$ance at .eter's co$d e/pression* Ryce bac"trac"ed% ;Come on* babe% )'$$ b#y yo# a margarita%; They went inside together* .eter trai$ing behind them% 5hi$e the g#ys were b#sy saying he$$o to them* .eter went o(er to the bar and ordered her a g$ass of minera$ water%

M" how ti'e flies* Emi$$e tho#ght as she $a#ghed a$ong with the rest of the g#ys as Jac" described the reason he was once again sing$e% )t was o(er a year since they'd a$$ been ab$e get together $i"e this% Ryce was on a wor$d to#r* b#t now that he was bac" stateside* they co#$d e/pect him to pop into +#stin at a drop% 2e was coming bac" for +#stin City =imits in ,ctober* not as a performer* b#t as a re(e$er% 0a(id was preocc#pied with something* b#t yo#'d ha(e to "now him pretty we$$ to notice% 2e was $a#ghing and ribbing e(eryone as #s#a$* b#t e(ery now and again he 3#iet$y too" a sip of his beer and :oned o#t% Knowing him* it was probab$y woman tro#b$es% .eter was the one who worried her most% 2e was smi$ing and $a#ghing with the rest of them* b#t there was something in his ga:e e(ery time it $anded on her% 2e was in a mood% .robab$y abo#t her "iss with Ryce* b#t Ryce was the "ind of g#y yo# co#$d "iss $i"e that and "now it meant nothing% 2e was no .eter% +nd if .eter fe$t he was &#stified to be angry beca#se she'd "issed a friend* then she was &#stified in being f#rio#s beca#se he'd ta"en it as his d#ty to warn Ryce off ' as if she wasn't a grown woman with the abi$ity to decide whether or not she wanted to ris" her

emotions on a man% 0ar"$y* she g$ared at him* e(en as she s3#ee:ed the wedge of $ime on her g$ass into the water% )f he wasn't so temperamenta$ he'd be an awesome g#y% Something of her tho#ghts m#st ha(e shown on her face beca#se a s#dden si$ence descended on the tab$e% Emi$$e g$anced aro#nd at the other g#ys% They were $oo"ing bac" and forth between her and .eter* b#t .eter hadn't ta"en his eyes off her since he'd sat down% ?oosef$esh chased a wa(e of heat o(er her f$esh as Emi$$e tried her best to concea$ her reaction to that $oo"% ;2ey* y'a$$*; the d%&% said o(er the microphone% ;?#ess who we'(e got in the a#dience tonight4 ,#r own hometown bad'boy of co#ntry Ca$eb Ryce% 2ey* Ryce% Can we con(ince yo# to gi(e #s a song4; Ryce* ne(er one to t#rn down an opport#nity to increase his fan base* e/c#sed himse$f from the tab$e ' grabbing 0a(id as he went% 0a(id was in Ryce's origina$ bac"#p band* so it came as no s#rprise that after a few moments whispering with their heads together* Ryce too" to the microphone and 0a(id sat behind the "eyboard% The a#dience went wi$d as he greeted them% ;2ey +#stin@ )t's great to be home* e(en for one night%; The $adies started whist$ing* and Ryce was ready with his trademar" se/y grin% ;5ow@ 5hat a we$come% 2ang tight $adies% J#st $et me and my boy 0a(id here get thro#gh this song* then )'m a$$ yo#rs%; The whist$ing contin#ed* and tr#e to form Ryce was a$ready sed#cing a woman in the front row from the stage% )f $oo"s co#$d "i$$* .eter wo#$d ha(e shot him dead right there* b#t Ryce was ob$i(io#s to the threat% ;=et's get down to b#siness% This is the fa(orite song of my fa(orite gir$ in the wor$d% 5e were o#t fishing ear$y one morning* when ) $oo"ed at her and was inspired% ) ne(er to$d her* b#t now she can brag that she's the gir$ who made me famo#s%; 2e ch#c"$ed* and the a#dience $a#ghed a$ong with him% Ryce $oo"ed o#t into the a#dience #nti$ he spotted their tab$e* then pressed two fingers to his $ips in a benedictory "iss% .$ayf#$$y e/aggerating that slow So#thern accent that had the power to sed#ce peop$e a$$ aro#nd the wor$d* he $eaned into the microphone and draw$ed* ;Emi$$e* my dar$in'* '" how yo#'(e grown%; 0a(id's hands began to mo(e as he p$ayed the opening notes of Ryce's first hit* The 3ill +ountr" 2ose% )t was a ba$$ad that ne(er fai$ed to send chi$$s down Emi$$e's spine% ;)n the ?arden of Eden* there once grew a rose% )t was bent by the wind* and it t#mb$ed% Shattered and bro"en* it searched for a home* that it co#$d not find among the f$owers% 6y dar$in'* yo# are the rose that cannot grow ta$$ among the $i$ies and b$ooms of the ?arden% S#ch a rose of yo#r bea#ty* m#st grow a$one on a hi$$* to reign o(er the wor$d* not a garden%; 2e capt#red Emi$$e's attention comp$ete$y from the first word% +gainst her wi$$* her $ids $owered* as she was embraced by the song% Emi$$e was $ost to the harmony of 0a(id's p$aying and $ow crooning in bac"#p to Ryce t#gging at the heartstrings of the women in the a#dience% She did not see .eter's heated* a$most resentf#$ ga:e as he contin#ed to $oo" at her% Resentment was the easiest emotion to identify in his eyes* b#t there was so m#ch more there% )n the heat of that ga:e was something far from s#perficia$% Ryce's song went on to describe his doomed search for that perfect f$ower in a garden% They were a$$ the same* and some were too e/otic% 5hat he wanted was a f$ower that was both fami$iar and strange% )t wasn't #nti$ he had gi(en #p on his search* and stepped o#t of the garden that his ga:e had been ca#ght by a g$ow from a hi$$ near the garden% )t was a rose so fami$iar* that had

been strengthened by the storms that e/isted o#tside of the garden% )t's bea#ty was perfection* for it had rooted in gro#nd that n#rt#red no competition $i"e that in the garden% +s he drew nearer* b$ossoms grew from the path of his feet% The garden then spi$$ed from where it be$onged% -#t* none of its f$owers e(er grew as bea#tif#$* ta$$* and strong ' and none co#$d weather a storm ' $i"e that rose that grew o#t beyond the garden% Critics* fans* and peop$e in genera$ who too" the time to brea" down the song* a$ways said that Ryce had written it for a woman he had $o(ed% ,thers tho#ght it was abo#t his search for the perfect so#nd in Te/as' city of m#sic% 6ost$y* they said it was abo#t a man who idea$i:ed one woman whi$e he p$ayed the fie$d% E(ent#a$$y* he'd gone after the woman of his dreams* b#t ne(er 3#ite changed his p$ayboy ways% That's why* they said* the garden fo$$owed him home* b#t the rose remained his idea of perfection% 1ow that he'd $et it o#t that song had been written abo#t her* Emi$$e "new for a fact that e(eryone's interpretation of it was wrong% )t had been written we$$ before Ryce had become famo#s% )n a$$ the time that they had been friends* Ryce had ne(er ' nor had she ' e(er fe$t anything for each other beyond the $o(e of abiding friends% There was more behind the meaning of this song* and she wo#$d as" him abo#t it% +t the end of the song* the a#dience rose and app$a#ded% Emi$$e was on her feet* a broad smi$e on her face% 5hen .eter and Ryce had s#rprised her tonight by showing #p at the gym* she had been content to "now she'd be spending the night with the entire gro#p for the first time in ages% 5hat she hadn't anticipated was to be serenaded with her fa(orite ba$$ad% She was $o#d% She was appreciati(e% She fe$t ama:ing% Then she rea$i:ed that she was ha(ing a night o#t with fi(e of So#th Te/as's most gorgeo#s bache$ors* and here she was* dressed $i"e a co$orb$ind n#n% She co(ered her heated face* hoping that if anyone noticed her embarrassment they'd thin" it was her &oyf#$ reaction to Ryce's serenading% Ta"ing contro$ o(er her emotions* Emi$$e schoo$ed her feat#res into a p$easant smi$e% 1ate "issed her chee"% 0a(id win"ed at her from his seat behind the "eyboard% Ryce remained on the stage to fo$$ow #p with the a#dience's re3#est that he co(er the o$d c$assic* '4nchained Melod"'* b#t he too" time in between the end of the ba$$ad and the start of another to p#rse his $ips into a se/y $itt$e "iss that he sent her way% Emi$$e g$anced at Jac" and immediate$y wished she hadn't* beca#se (ery de$iberate$y he t#rned to stare at .eter% Emi$$e didn't want to $oo"* b#t she was compe$$ed to do so% 2e was s$o#ched in his seat $i"e he had nowhere e$se to be in the wor$d% 2is ga:e was steady* #nb$in"ing* dar"* intense% She'd ne(er seen him $i"e this% 2is eyes g$ittered in the $ow neon $ighting of the c$#b% 8ncomfortab$e* Emi$$e $oo"ed away and pretended to $isten as Ryce contin#ed to sing co(ers of pop#$ar ba$$ads and a few of his own songs% 2er heart was thr#mming so $o#d$y* she co#$d not hear% Shy$y* she cast a 3#ic" g$ance o#t of the corner of her eye to see what .eter was doing ' if he'd t#rned his attention to the stage instead of her% 5hi$e e(eryone e$se aro#nd them reacted to Ryce's deep (oice* .eter was sat sti$$ in his foc#s% 5ith his hands c$asped o(er the $ean stretch of his stomach* he ga(e e(ery impression that Emi$$e was the most fascinating thing in the c$#b% )t was disconcerting% 1er(o#s$y* she whetted her $ips and $eaned c$oser to 1ate* whispering in his ear% ;)'(e got to go% )t was great seeing yo# g#ys* b#t ) ha(e to wor" in the morning%; )t was 6onday night* after a$$% +nd these g#ys were a$$ b#sinessmen% ;+$right% 1eed a ride4; he as"ed% She r#bbed his sho#$der affectionate$y% ;1o% )'m dri(ing%; Emi$$e grabbed her bag* hoping to escape before Jac" and .eter ca#ght on% -#t* as she stood* a$$ three of the men got to their feet% ;=ea(ing a$ready4; Jac" as"ed a $itt$e too ta#nting$y% ;7ep*; she smi$ed% ;1ot a$$ of #s can be o#r own bosses%; She wa(ed to Ryce and 0a(id* who both responded with win"s ' neither missing a beat in their performance% Then* what she most dreaded happened% 1ate ga(e her a h#g and a friend$y

"iss on the $ips% Then Jac"son was there with one% )t was $i"e they'd p$anned it* b#t Emi$$e wasn't certain beca#se 1ate "issed her $i"e that a$$ the time% 5hi$e his "iss was a brother$y pec" she'd come to e/pect* Jac" was acting wa" o#t of character* and near$y got a p#nch in the mo#th from her ref$e/% -oth congrat#$ated her on the progress of her weight$oss* enco#raged her to contin#e doing what she was doing* and reminded her not to be a stranger anymore% C#rio#s$y* .eter had remained si$ent d#ring the e/change% >ina$$y* she co#$d not a(oid him anymore% )t was time to say goodbye% Tho#gh she was braced for his standard E#ropean "isses* Emi$$e wasn't braced for his company% ;)'$$ &#st b#m a ride with yo#*; he said coo$$y% ;,hat& 7o# can't% ) mean< yo#r car%; 2e #nhoo"ed a set of "eys from his "eychain and handed them o(er to 1ate% ;?i(e those to Ryce for me%; 0a(id #s#a$$y stayed with Jac"* b#t Ryce tended to stay with whome(er he fe$t $i"e when he was in town% )f he was in +#stin for more than a day* he'd rent a car% -#t it was e/pected that he'd stay with one of his friends% They'd a$$ roomed together whi$e in co$$ege* renting one of the first ho#ses that .eter had p#rchased% That had been the start of a decade'$ong friendship% .eter had her we$$ and tr#$y cornered% Emi$$e co#$dn't deny him the ride witho#t it seeming s#spicio#s% 1ot when e(eryone "new he $i(ed &#st a few mi$es away from her p$ace%

Chapter 1 Side by side* they $eft the c$#b% She grew e(en more #ncomfortab$e as they crossed the city* b#t tried not to $et it show% ;Em* te$$ me something*; .eter said* his draw$ e(en more prono#nced in the dar"ened car% ;5hy is it that e(ery time ) t#rn aro#nd* yo#'re "issing one of my friends4; ;2#h4; she start$ed% 2ow was she s#pposed to answer a 3#estion $i"e that4 ;) don't "now% ) g#ess it's o#r way of saying 'he$$o' and 'goodbye'%; 2is $ips ti$ted into a $itt$e sideways smi$e% ;So* yo#'re te$$ing me a$$ ) ha(e to do is say 'he$$o' or 'goodbye' and ) can "iss yo#4; 2e wanted to ch#c"$e* b#t co#$dn't% The moment was too de$icate% -#t wo#$dn't Emi$$e get a good $a#gh o#t of it if she co#$d see her own deer'in'the' head$ights e/pression4 2e co#$d e(en hear her swa$$ow before she responded to his 3#estion% ;) don't "now what yo#'re ta$"ing abo#t*; she said prim$y% ;7o# "iss me a$$ the time .eter%; 2e was sha"ing his head before she co#$d finish her response% ;,n the chee"% -eca#se yo# friend':oned me the moment we met%; +o'e again& b#t she didn't say a word ' &#st pressed her foot deeper on the acce$erator% ;Speed $imit's thirty'fi(e*; he reminded her mi$d$y% 5hen she eased her speed bac" to a respectab$e pace* .eter si$ent$y than"ed ?od that she'd chosen to ta"e the street ro#te to his ho#se instead of the highway% 2e than"ed 2im for e(ery s$ow mi$e* and e(ery $ong red $ight at the end of e(ery b$oc" between where they were and his apartment% ;+ren't yo# going to as" me how yo# friend':oned me4; he as"ed% ;+re yo# dr#n"4; She sniffed the air c$oser to him% ;Stone co$d sober*; .eter rep$ied% ;2a(en't had a drin" in months%; 6ost$y* that was d#e to the fact that Emi$$e was no $onger his fishing companion% 2e wasn't inspired to pic" #p a si/ pac" if she wasn't going to ha(e a beer with him% =ast wee"* Jac" had &oined him on the boat* toting a pac" of his fa(orite brand* b#t .eter hadn't been in the mood* beca#se Emi$$e's efforts to de(e$op a hea$thier $ifesty$e had affected his choices of what he was wi$$ing to p#t inside his body% 2e'd $eaned o#t significant$y since he'd started he$ping her p$an her mea$s* and since he'd started going to the gym an e/tra two times a wee"* &#st so he co#$d watch her wor" o#t% E(er since his teens* .eter had wor"ed hard at forcing

his body into something it nat#ra$$y wasn9t% 2e was ectomorphic* b#t he'd sc#$pted and b#$"ed his body into something bigger than it was nat#ra$$y inc$ined to be% 7et* he'd ne(er fe$t as comfortab$e in his own s"in as he had been fee$ing $ate$y% ,ccasiona$$y* he was sti$$ &ea$o#s of the si:e that the other g#ys were ab$e to achie(e in their m#sc$es% -#t* .eter was forty* a good decade o$der than his friends% +nd being the most ripped of the gro#p had done wonders for his se$f'confidence% 5ord had gotten aro#nd abo#t how he'd carried Emi$$e o#t of the resta#rant% Tho#gh they hadn't said anything abo#t the incident in front of her* there had been ca$$s and ribbing% They a$$ $o(ed her* b#t at the time of the accident* Emi$$e had been m#ch hea(ier% The g#ys open$y admitted that none of them wo#$d ha(e been ab$e to $ift and carry her the way he had% 1ate had b$amed it on .eter's sheer determination to do the impossib$e% 0a(id b$amed it on his fiendish wor"o#t sched#$e% Ryce was s#re it was his affinity for cross fit ' after a$$* cross fit ath$etes were beasts when it came to wor"ing o#t% Jac"* the on$y one to ha(e witnessed it e/p$ained it away as .eter's abiding $o(e for Emi$$e% +ccording to him* if .eter hadn't $o(ed Emi$$e the way he did* there was no way he wo#$d ha(e been ab$e to get her off the f$oor* m#ch $ess o#t of the resta#rant% =o(e* he said* had made his actions possib$e% +t first* he'd br#shed the e/p$anation off% =ate$y* .eter was inc$ined to be$ie(e it% ;So*; he prodded% ;+ren't yo# e(en s$ight$y c#rio#s as to why yo# can "iss all my friends on the $ips* b#t yo# comp$ete$y frea" o#t if ) so m#ch as breathe on yo#r chee"4; ;)'m c#rio#s as to what's gotten into yo# tonight% 0id yo# ha(e some bad fish or something4; 2is $ids $owered% ;7o# sho#$d be more worried abo#t what ) want to get into*; he said mi$d$y% Emi$$e's mo#th opened in a shoc"ed gasp% ;That does it@ 5hat the hell is yo#r prob$em* .eter4; 2e co#$dn't (ery we$$ te$$ her* Ma" kiss "ou4 So* he said the ne/t best thing% ;5hy are yo# sti$$ sing$e* Em4; She ro$$ed her eyes at her side window% ;-eca#se ) want to be%; ;) don't thin" yo#'re te$$ing me the tr#th*; he rep$ied% ;7o#'re not the "ind of woman who $i"es to be sing$e% 7o# $i"e men too m#ch%; +s he'd obser(ed tonight% Emi$$e gasped* swinging her head to g$are at him% ;7o# didn't &#st say that%; ;Keep yo#r eyes on the road* dar$in'%; 5hen she t#rned to $oo" bac" at the road* gr#mb$ing abo#t ins#$ting men* he o(errode her diatribe% ;)t's not an ins#$t% 7o# $i"e the company of men* and men $i"e yo#r company% So why are yo# reall" sing$e4; Two co#$d p$ay this game% )f he was going to force her to ta$" abo#t #ncomfortab$e things* she might as we$$ ma"e it rea$$y #ncomfortab$e for him% ;5e$$ .eter*; she said in a sweet So#thern (oice* ;)'m reall" sing$e beca#se men ' $i"e the ones whose company ) "eep ' don9t norma$$y go for women $i"e me%; ;)'d go for a woman $i"e yo#*; he said soft$y% ;5e'(e a$ready gone o(er this% 7o# go for the ?wyneth .a$$ys of this wor$d%; .ropping his e$bow on the door* .eter seemed to gi(e d#e consideration to Emi$$e's reasoning% ;) go for ta$$ women%; 2e c#t a g$ance in her direction% ;The ta$$er the better%; ;Ta$$ and thin then% ?wyneth .a$$y%; ;Ta$$ and se0"*; he corrected% >r#strated* Emi$$e re$eased the steering whee$ &#st $ong eno#gh to throw her hands in the air% ;There@ That's the answer to my 3#estion% Ta$$ and se0"% That ob(io#s$y $ea(es me o#t%; 2is grin was croo"ed in more ways than one% ;So*; he said after they'd gone thro#gh another stop$ight* ;are yo# saying the on$y reason yo#'re sti$$ sing$e is beca#se yo# don9t thin" ) find yo# se/y4; She was forced to stop at another $ight before she co#$d thin" #p an answer% Emi$$e g$ared at the $ight% )t was as if she'd hit e(ery red one for the past si/ mi$es% ;7o# can't ignore a direct 3#estion%; ;)'m sorry*; she said* feigning preocc#pation% ;) wasn't paying attention%; .eter sat #p straighter% ?ent$y* he reached across the seat and t#rned her chin so that she faced

him% ;Emi$$e Carter* are yo# sti$$ sing$e beca#se yo# thin" ) don9t find yo# se/y4; She swa$$owed* and he fe$t the mo(ement against his hand% 2er eyes darted $eft before she said* ;6y $ight's green%; 2e $et her go%

Chapter 1! 5hen they arri(ed at his apartment* .eter didn't get o#t of the car immediate$y% )nstead* he sat 3#iet$y in the car* a p#::$ed frown marring his brow% Emi$$e didn't $i"e how he was tho#ghtf#$$y staring thro#gh the windshie$d% 5hene(er he had that $oo"* he was s#re to say something that wo#$d discombob#$ate her% So* she did the ne/t best thing to "ic"ing him o#t of the car% She fa"ed a h#ge yawn% ;,hh@; Stretch% ;)'m so e/ha#sted%; Stretch again% ;) can't wait to get home% ) ha(e an ear$y meeting tomorrow%; She wasn't &#st a secretary anymore% +s the firm had grown* she'd ta"en on more responsibi$ity and gone bac" to schoo$ ' at .eter's prodding ' to st#dy 6anagement and >inance% 2a(ing wor"ed in the ind#stry* .eter was we$$ aware that there was alwa"s an ear$y meeting% 2e didn't b#dge* ma"ing her thin" that maybe she would need to "ic" him o#t of her car% S$ow$y* he t#rned his head in her direction% ;)'m sti$$ waiting for yo#r answer* Em%; ;5hat answer4; she snapped% ;5o#$d yo# sti$$ want to be sing$e if ) yo# "new how se/y yo# are to me4; 2is feat#res twisted wry$y as he too" in her o#tfit% ;5hen yo#'re not co(ered #p from head to toe% 5e'$$ ha(e to go shopping some time soon% 7o#'re sti$$ wearing c$othes from a h#ndred po#nds ago%; ;7o# wo#$dn't say that if yo# rea$$y fo#nd me se/y%; ;) say that beca#se )'m a man who $i"es to $oo" at yo#*; he rep$ied% ;+nd if my attraction to yo# was s#perficia$* my body wo#$dn't react to yo# the way it does e(en when yo# are co(ered%; 2is (oice* as smo"y and smooth as mes3#ite* ca#sed a b#rning spasm across her diaphragm% Sti$$* she ref#sed to gi(e him the answer he was waiting for% ;+ss#ming ) be$ie(e that yo# thin" )'m attracti(e* .eter* where wo#$d ) s#dden$y find a g#y to change my sing$e stat#s4; 2is grin said he'd been waiting for &#st that 3#estion% ;7o# co#$d start with the g#y who thin"s yo# are the se/iest woman in the wor$d%; She shr#gged% ;Se/iness does not g#arantee )'$$ be ab$e to "eep him%; ;6ost desirab$e then*; he said* #nb#c"$ing his seatbe$t e(en as he $eaned c$oser% 1eg$igent$y* she shr#gged again% ;)'m not impressed with being desired%; 2e had the ner(e to ch#c"$e% ;,h4 7o#'re not impressed with being desired4 2ow abo#t 'needed'4 5o#$d it impress yo# to "now that ) need yo# so m#ch )'d do anything to "eep yo# in my $ife4 2ow abo#t if ) to$d yo# my wor" and 'recreation' s#ffers when yo#'re not aro#nd%; S$ow$y* he $ifted his hand to her chee"* whispering the words against her $ips% They were inches apart% C$ose eno#gh that she co#$d fee$ his breath on her $ips* b#t far eno#gh that she wo#$d ha(e to reach to "iss him% 2e made her want to "iss him% ;5o#$d it impress yo# to "now that ) need yo# so m#ch that for years* )'(e been wa"ing #p hard to the fantasy of yo# sharing my bed4; he whispered% St#bborn$y* she shoo" the fog from her brain% ;That m#st be some fantasy* especia$$y since yo# a$ways ha(e somebody e$se in yo#r bed%; ;)'(e dated a $ot of women* Em*; he admitted* pressing his th#mb against her $ower $ip* r#bbing that $ip e(en as he contin#ed to spea"% ;)'m no mon"* b#t ) don't get aro#nd as m#ch as yo# thin"%; ;Co#$d ha(e foo$ed me*; she said hoarse$y% )t was a$$ she co#$d do to "eep her eyes open when he was stro"ing her $ip so sens#o#s$y% ;)t sho#$dn't come as a s#rprise* Em*; he said* his $ips so c$ose now that each word was

spo"en against the bac" of his th#mb% 2is ga:e was direct as he a$igned his nose against hers% ;)t's no s#rprise that "ou are my rose%; 2ow was it possib$e that mere words co#$d to#ch on her ears* then race thro#gh her b$ood $i"e an e$ectrica$ chargeC and fina$$y sett$e in her core in a heated b#rn $i"e an #n3#enchab$e wi$dfire4 2ow was it possib$e that mere words co#$d separate her wor$d from its a/is4 2ow co#$d she sha"e and not tremb$e4 2ow co#$d she ha(e spent o(er fifteen years $o(ing one man and ne(er "now it4 She m#st ha(e ta"en too $ong to answer% .erhaps her response had been written in her eyes% >or .eter "issed her* his mo#th separated from hers on$y by the (ei$ of his th#mb against their $ips% 5hen she c$osed her eyes* he re$eased a $ow* agoni:ed moan as his hand smoothed o(er her &aw and b#ried itse$f in her hair% Tr#st% That was what this "iss was fo#nded on* for she was there with him* $ips parting e/pectant$y* her nai$s scraping o(er his sca$p and the $#sh midnight of his hair % 5od( E'ille, I love "ou% The words a$most escaped him% I love "ou* %eter. ,ith all '" heart% She he$d them in% Sna ( 2er seatbe$t was re$eased* by her own hand or his* neither wo#$d e(er "now% S#dden$y* she was ha#$ed across the seat% Too ta$$ to sit comfortab$y on his $ap in the c$osed confines of her sedan* Emi$$e to#ched a b#tton beside his hip and his chair co$$apsed bac"ward% .eter groaned at the impact* b#t did not $et #p on the ons$a#ght he had waged against her $ips* s#c"$ing* nipping* tasting her mo#th% )nstead* the "iss became deeper* and more passionate as he re(e$ed in the press of her body against his% >or the first time in her ad#$t $ife* Emi$$e $ay against a man and was not ashamed of her si:e% E(en if the seat sho#$d brea"* she was confident that .eter co#$d s#pport her% .#rposef#$$y* his hands wandered* a$most ripping her cardigan away% >or a brief moment* she tho#ght abo#t the e/tra $ayers of fat on her arms* and that .eter wo#$d see the way her s"in sagged% -#t he noticed none of that% 2e stro"ed her sho#$der and arms as if her s"in was si$" or satin% 5hi$e they embraced Emi$$e was certain she was made from the finest of fabrics% 2e hefted her f#rther onto his body* p#$$ing her $eft $eg between his thighs% She co#$d fee$ the hard heat of him beneath the denim of his &eans* b#t it was not eno#gh% Emi$$e pressed against him* eager for a more intimate e/perience of this man% 2is c$othing was in her way* so she p#shed at his $eather &ac"et% 2is scent into/icated her% She scratched his nec" when she tore at the co$$ar of his hen$eyC and moaned in de$ight when his hands b#nched the hem of her dress* $ifting it $i"e a (a$ance o(er the c#r(e of her b#ttoc"s #nti$ his wonderf#$$y big hands c#pped her right where they met her thighs% The tho#sands of $#nges she'd done o(er the past few months was worth it when he groaned $i"e a caged beast and s$apped the right chee"% Emi$$e's eyes f$ew open* b#t .eter didn't $et #p% 2is right hand came #p* e(en as he r#bbed away the sting% ;Come bac" here*; he grow$ed into her mo#th% ;7o#'(e made me wait this $ong% J#st $et me to#ch yo#%; 2is tong#e stro"ed deep* p#$$ing her (ery so#$ o#t% ;?i(e me this%; ;5e are in the car*; she panted* wi$$ing herse$f to p#sh against his chest yet comp$ete$y #nab$e to separate herse$f from him% ;) "now*; he whispered* possessi(e$y ta"ing her $ips once again% 5hen she me$ted against him* his hand ret#rned to her hip ro(ed o(er the smooth f$esh% 2is fingertips s$ipped beneath the waistband of her simp$e cotton panties and he spread his wide pa$m o(er the s#rface of her be$$y% Emi$$e fro:e% .anic"ed* she $a#nched herse$f off him* scramb$ing bac" into the dri(er's seat as if there was a tiger in the car with her% ;5hat happened4; .eter as"ed* his (oice ro#gh and dar"% Sens#o#s% Se/y% >i$$ed with desire and need% +$$ the things he c$aimed to fee$ for her% -#t in the dar"ened car* she co#$d not see his eyes to be$ie(e% ;) thin" yo# sho#$d go*; she said* her breaths harried* her (oice sma$$ and h#rt% .eter sat there &#st $oo"ing at her% 2e st#died the way she he$d herse$f% )f she co#$d wrap the cardigan ' that he wo#$d swear he'd de$iberate$y stripped from her moments ago ' $i"e a cocoon aro#nd herse$f* she wo#$d% 2e hated the way she retreated into herse$f $i"e that% 2e hated the way

she hid herse$f from him% 2e hated her $ac" of confidence in her bea#ty% -#t he $o(ed the way she was when she forgot to hide% ,f a$$ the things abo#t her* that was what he $o(ed most% She co#$d hide from the wor$d* b#t when she was with him he wanted her bo$d and o#tgoing% 2e wanted her bea#tif#$ and strong% 2e wanted her to wa$" ta$$ and e$egant in high hee$s* heads abo(e e(ery other woman in the room% 2e wanted her in f#$$ g$ory% 2e sighed% ;Come #p to the apartment%; Sha"ing her head* Emi$$e bac"ed away f#rther against the door% ;1o% This was a mista"e%; ;1o% )t wasn't*; he ass#red her in his most $e(e$ tone% ;)'(e been p$anning to get my hands in yo#r panties for fifteen years% +dmitted$y* yo#'(e spent ten of those years doing yo#r damnedest to forget that yo# are<; his (oice grew hoarse and tremb$ed* ;yo# are a ver" desirab$e woman* Emi$$e%; ;.eter* stop%; ;7o# don't ha(e to worry abo#t me ma"ing $o(e to yo# tonight% 8n$ess* of co#rse* yo# rea$$y want to% -eca#se* of co#rse* I reall", reall", reall" want to%; 2e f$ic"ed on the dome $ight and ti$ted his head to see her face better% Emi$$e b$in"ed a few times* then reached to sh#t the $ight off again% .eter's hand was there to stop her% Tender$y* he bro#ght her pa$m to his $ips and "issed her% ;)'(e noticed that yo#'re not s#rprised abo#t what happened here tonight%; She didn't thin" her face co#$d heat anymore* b#t it did% ;,h* )'m s#rprised*; she said on a bro"en $a#gh% ;1o*; he shoo" his head% ;7o#'re embarrassed that ) want to see yo# na"ed% That ) tried to to#ch yo# the way ) did% -#t* yo#'(e "nown a$$ a$ong that ) $o(e yo#% ) don't "now when yo# rea$i:ed it* b#t yo# "new the tr#th of it and didn't say a word%; 2er $ips p#rsed into a tight $ine% ;) don't "now what yo#'re ta$"ing abo#t% 1ow* can yo# p$ease get o#t of my car so ) can go home and get some rest4; ;)'m not stopping yo# from dri(ing home% )t's not too far for me to wa$" home; he pointed o#t% ;-#t* )'m not going to ma"e it easy for yo# again%; ;5hat are yo# ta$"ing abo#t4; she wai$ed in fr#strated annoyance% ;Emi$$e@; )t was his t#rn to #se a sharp (oice% 2e didn't sho#t* b#t the way he said her name was a command for her attention% ;) want yo# to rea$$y thin" abo#t something% Ca#se )'(e been thin"ing abo#t it for a $ong time now% 5hy did yo# a$$ow yo#rse$f to get so fat4; he as"ed ba$d$y* a$most cr#e$$y% ;5hat were yo# hiding from4 5ho were yo# r#nning from4 )t's not me* ca#se )'(e been right here a$$ this time%; 5hen she &#st stared at him in arrested si$ence* he reached o#t to br#sh her hair from her brow ' then tho#ght better of it% ;+ co#p$e of months ago* yo# to$d me that yo# thin" ) on$y find thin women attracti(e%; 5hen she t#rned her face away* he to#ched her chin and bro#ght her bac" aro#nd% ;+nd again tonight% 7o# acc#sed me of going for the thin women% )f )'m on$y attracted to the ?wyneth .a$$ys of this wor$d* then e/p$ain to me why )'m h#ng #p on yo#% E/p$ain to me how yo#'(e managed to get me hard as roc" time and time again* whether yo# were one ninety or three h#ndred po#nds% E/p$ain to me why )'d rather spend my S#ndays mornings ma"ing memories with yo#* than $aying in bed with 5w"neth.;

Chapter 1" ;.eter* yo# don't #nderstand*; she cried% ;)'(e $ost the weight* b#t )'m sti$$ fat% )'(e got f$ab'; ;7o#'(e got s$ee" $egs that r#n on for mi$es*; he said% ;+nd ) $oo" forward to the day a$$ those yoga stretches yo#'(e been doing pays off* ca#se )'(e got p$ans for those $egs%; ;6y arms are bigger than yo#rs%; ;Then it's a good thing $oo"s are decepti(e% Ca#se )'(e got the strength to be the man that yo# need%;

;Stretch mar"s%; ;0on9t te$$ me yo# don't want to $ic" e(ery one of my stretch mar"s #nti$ )'m a p#dd$e at yo#r feet*; he whispered se/i$y% ;)'(e got p$enty of them for yo# to wor" on%; She c$osed her eyes tight$y* h#nching her sho#$ders c$oser together in #ncertainty% ;)'m not ready for a re$ationship% ) don't ha(e the confidence to dea$ with disappointment right now%; ;Emi$$e* yo# ha(e the confidence to >rench a roc" star in front of the man yo# $o(e% 7o# ha(e the confidence to ta#nt me by "issing fo#r men in one night%; That so#nded so bad when he p#t it $i"e that% ;7o#'(e had yo#r f#n being the 1achelorette% 1ow it's time to end this game and gi(e me my rose%; She snorted a $a#gh and ended #p co#ghing% .atient$y* .eter patted her bac" #nti$ it was o(er% 5hen her throat stopped itching* she said* ;7o# ne(er showed an interest in me% 5hy are yo# saying this a$$ of a s#dden4; ;-eca#se )'m horny as he$$ after watching yo# do those Re(erse Cr#nches tonight%; ;,h% 6y% =ord%; She co(ered her face% ;7o# saw that4; 2e nodded% ;+nd the Spiderman% -#t it was rea$$y the .#$sing =#nges that got me%; .eter p#$$ed her hands away from her face% ;-y the time yo# get off the treadmi$$* yo#'re a$$ sweaty* and those baggy sweats yo# wear can't hide a thing once they get wet% +nd then yo# go to the rowing machine% ) #sed to thin" yo# did it for strength* b#t now )'m con(inced yo# do it to re$a/ yo#r body after yo#r r#n% 6aybe get yo#r head in the game for strength training% ) do that with p#$$' #ps%; Emi$$e was $oo"ing at him s#spicio#s$y now% ;.eter* was tonight the first time yo#'(e come to the gym whi$e ) was there4; ;)'(e be there a few times*; he shr#gged* his chee"s heating #p adorab$y% ;2a(e yo# been sta$"ing me4; 2e twisted his $ips to the side% ;Si$ent s#pport% -#t that's not the point% +dmit yo# $o(e me* so ) can go inside% +nd yo# can go home and thin" abo#t what ) need in a woman%; ;2ow am ) s#pposed to "now what yo# want4 )f )'m yo#r rose* then )'m perfect the way ) am* right4; ;The rose was perfect in the garden* b#t o#tside the garden it became a tree that ne(er stopped growing% ) don't want a woman who is &#st a f$ower among f$owers% ) need yo# to rea$i:e that in my eyes yo# are more magnificent than any other f$ower% ) want yo# to see yo#rse$f the way )'(e a$ways seen yo#%; She g#$ped% 5hat co#$d a gir$ say to something $i"e that4 ;.eter* what do yo# rea$$y want from me4 This is so s#dden* and yo#'re as"ing me to thin" abo#t things ) ha(en't considered in'; she stopped% ;>ar too $ong*; he m#rm#red% 2is fingers inter$oc"ed with hers% ;)t's not s#dden* Em% 1othing abo#t #s is s#dden% -#t* what ) want from yo# is "ou wearing high hee$s when we go o#t sometimes* beca#se yo# "now it dri(es me cra:yC and yo# "now yo#r $egs sto traffic,; he said* nodding in agreement to Ryce's ear$ier assessment% ;) want yo# to get pedic#res* ca#se )'m obsessed with yo#* and )'$$ suck on yo#r toes if yo#'$$ $et me%; The way he said 's#c"' ca#sed a (isib$e shi(er to r#n thro#gh her% ;) want yo# wearing $ow c#t b$o#ses on a 5ednesday night* as my reward for s$a(ing o(er a hot sto(e for yo#% ) want yo# to crawling o#t of my bed in the mornings* na"ed and sore* ca#se whate(er yo# demand ) am the on$y man in the wor$d who can pro(ide% ) want yo# to contin#e wor"ing o#t and being acti(e* ca#se yo# $a#gh more ' and ) thin" it's hot when yo# chec" yo#rse$f o#t in the mirror and $i"e what yo# see% ) want fifteen years of me waiting for yo# to come to yo#r senses*; he said wry$y* ;to be worth fifty years of ma"ing #p for $ost time% ) want to 'recreate' with yo# for the rest of my $ife%; =i"e a moth to a f$ame* Emi$$e p#rs#ed is gent$e t#gs% ;The on$y thing )'m as"ing from yo# is that yo# be my se/y $o(er* ca#se yo# a$ready are my $o(ing friend%;

;>riends to $o(ers ne(er wor"*; she said wea"$y% ;-#t* if we weren't friends* how co#$d ) $earn to $o(e yo# the way ) do4; he whispered against her $ips% ;Thro#gh thin" and thin* Emi$$e* ) $o(e yo#% Say* yes%; She fro:e% ;7es* to what4; .eter sti$$ed* then a c#rio#s* tho#ghtf#$ $oo" came o(er his face% ;7es% 7es* yo# $o(e me*; he $a#ghed% She wondered if it was a rea$i:ation or a demand% ;)'m thirty'fi(e years o$d* .eter% )f )'m going to bother with getting myse$f into a re$ationship with an older 'an* ) ha(e some demands of my own%; 2e ignored the dig at his age% ;=i"e what4; he as"ed* sti$$ smi$ing% ;)f )'m going to dress se/ier* then yo# are too% ) $i"e yo# in tight shirts and tight &eans% Stop dressing to ma"e yo#rse$f $oo" b#$"ier% 7o#r body's b#i$t $i"e a high tension wire* and that gi(es me a$$ sorts of "in"y tho#ghts%; ;Kin"y tho#ghts4; he teased% ;7o# ha(e those abo#t 'e4; ;E(ery time yo# ma"e me r#b tanning oi$ on yo#r bac" on a S#nday morning*; she said* no $onger afraid to show her attraction to him% ;+$so* whi$e ) #nderstand the nat#re of yo#r &ob* ) want one wee"end night a month with yo#% 7o# and Jac" are &#st going to ha(e to fig#re o#t a way to ma"e that happen%; ;)'$$ ta$" to him%; ;+$$ this time ) tho#ght yo# were a chronic bache$or% -#t* if yo#'(e been in $o(e with me for fifteen years* or howe(er yo#'(e got yo#r n#mbers fig#red o#t*; her (oice was hoarse with emotion* ;it's abo#t damn time yo# married me% +nd )'m not going to sett$e for a fi(e year engagement% Either yo# want me now* or yo# don't want me at a$$%; Emi$$e raised her brow arrogant$y% 2e wanted her% >or the first time in her $ife* she fe$t $i"e a woman who wasn't begging man to be with her% )t was $iberating% 3e had made her $iberated simp$y by wanting her ' t#mmy fat and a$$% $eeded her* he'd termed it% ;) want "ids%; She waited for his reaction% + man who wanted "ids didn't ma"e it to forty and not e(en ha(e one% She e/pected him to say something* b#t a$$ she got was a $oo" that said* That's a given. This sho#$d s#rprise him tho#gh% ;) want a &ob%; ;Come again4; he b$in"ed% ;7o# don't wor" on a reg#$ar sched#$e* b#t right now ) do% ,nce we're married* ) want yo# to hire me to manage some of those properties of yo#rs* and ) want a sa$ary comparab$e to the one ) ha(e now% That way* ) can crawl o#t of bed with yo# $ate e(ery morning* and wor" into the e(ening* so )'m not tired when yo# get home ha$fway to dawn% ) want to see yo#%; ;7o#'(e tho#ght abo#t this4; he as"ed* ama:ed% She snorted% ;1ot as a rea$ possibi$ity* b#t yo#'re not the on$y one with fantasies%; ;+nything e$se yo# want whi$e yo#'re at it4; There was nothing e$se she rea$$y needed% E0ce t/ ;7eah% ) want a poo$ in my bac" yard%; 2e p#$$ed her tight$y into his arms* $a#ghing against her chee"% ;0one% 0one% 0one% 0one% 0one*; .eter repeated* "issing her face% ;+re yo# going to p#t me o#t of my misery and te$$ me yo# $o(e me now4; ;5hy sho#$d ) te$$ yo# what yo# a$ready "now4; ;-eca#se )'$$ ne(er be$ie(e it #nti$ yo# say it%; She p#$$ed away* c#pping his chee"s in both hands% Staring direct$y into his eyes* she said* ;.eter* ) ha(e $o(ed yo# for years* b#t ) ne(er tho#ght a man $i"e yo# wo#$d e(er fa$$ for a woman $i"e me% 5hen $ate$y yo# started showing an interest in me* ) tho#ght it was on$y beca#se )'d $ost the weight% That if yo# on$y "new what ) was hiding beneath my c$othes* yo#'d stop $oo"ing at me the way yo# sometimes do% The way yo#'re $oo"ing at me now%; She "issed him% ;)'m g$ad yo# waited to te$$ me that yo# $o(e me% )'m g$ad that we'(e had these years together to pro(e that yo#'re not ashamed of me* so ) sho#$dn't be ashamed of myse$f%; 2er e/pression was

wry as she admitted* ;) ne(er tho#ght )'d say this* b#t )'m g$ad ) cr#shed tab$e n#mber twe$(e%; ;0on't e(er do that again*; he said* his face serio#s* b#t his eyes dancing% She s#c"ed her teeth and s$apped his chest% ;+nyway* if it wasn't for yo# pic"ing me #p the way yo# did* and insisting ) go see a doctor for my an"$e* ) don't thin" either of #s wo#$d ha(e gotten here% 7o#'(e shown me $o(e* respect* tenderness and s#pport% E(en when ) was at my worst* yo# treated me as if ) was at my best%; 2er eyes b#rned with tears% ;7o#'(e a$ways e/pect that of me* .eter% ,nce ) was ab$e to see yo#r (ersion of me* I $earnt to e/pect my best* and stopped trying to b#ry her% The woman yo# want is 'e. ) am that woman who has a$ways wanted to step o#t of her she$$ and ta"e chances% ) am ta"ing chances now% ) want to be yo#r wife* .eter% ) want to be the woman yo# $o(e* and date* and marry* and b#i$d a $ife with% 1ot ?wyneth or anybody e$se $i"e her%; Knoc"s so#nded against the windows% They t#rned their heads to see who were interr#pting their pri(ate moment% >o#r ma$e faces grinned in at them% ;7'a$$ fina$$y sorted yo#r thing o#t4; 0a(id as"ed what they'd a$$ come to find o#t% .eter nodded% ;)s Ryce spending the night4; she as"ed #nder her breath% .eter too" his sweet time thin"ing abo#t whether Ryce wo#$d be spending the night at his p$ace or with Jac" or 1ate% >ina$$y* he nodded% ;7eah%; 2is tone imp$ied he wasn't to p$eased abo#t that% ;-#t he'$$ be coming bac" to town for +#stin City =imits% 2ow wo#$d yo# fee$ abo#t tying the "not on yo#r birthday4; Emi$$e fro:e* then sw#ng her head to $oo" at him% ;So soon4; .eter win"ed at her% ;)'m gi(ing yo# a month to practice ho$ding that Standing Separate =eg Stretch for more than thirty seconds%; She frowned* mo#thing* Standing Se arate 6eg Stretch& Then an image of herse$f bent o(er in the yoga pose came to mind* and she b#rst o#t $a#ghing% ;,h* .eter@ 7o# are bad% Aery bad%; ;That's the best (iew in the ho#se*; he said #nabashed$y% 2e was sti$$ing grinning when he "issed her% Emi$$e was getting #sed that% That he "issed her with $a#ghter% )t was nice% 5hen he c$imbed o#t of the car* the g#ys crowded him* teasing him abo#t b#sting a forty year o$d man ma"ing o#t in a car $i"e a teenager% +s Emi$$e dro(e away* she ca#ght a g$impse of her fa(orite men in the wor$d and wondered if she "new fo#r women who she co#$d p#$$ together in a month to stand with her groomsmen as they saw her wed to their best friend% EEEE Comin) Soon* The Wright Choice, due out the end o+ September, (1!. ,bout the authorJosephine Kent is in the wiser part of her twenties* sing$e* and a bit cynica$* b#t* she's an e(er hopef#$* romantic% 2a(ing yet to meet Sir =asting means that he co#$d be anyone% 5hi$e Josie's not necessari$y hunting for 6r% =ifetime 5orthy* she "nows that the wor$d is f#$$ of awesome g#ys* and is en&oying the (iew as she wonders &#st what her own .rince Keepim might reall" be $i"eC and what type of woman co#$d reall" $o(e him% 5hen she's not fa$$ing in $o(e with the g#y she writes abo#t* the tr#est $o(es of her $ife dai$y $#nch dates with -ob Ross* coo"ing pretty inedib$es* and si/ rentab$e "ids ca$$ed nephews% )n her dreams she is a great mathematician* a b#dgeting di(a* a do'it'yo#rse$f ma(en* and a bohemian fashionista% )n rea$ity* she's n#merica$$y dys$e/ic% She a$ways ends #p spending the money sa(ed from b#dgeting% 2er do'it'yo#rse$f fai$s are often epic% +nd she still hasn't mastered the fine art of mi/ing prints% )f yo#'d $i"e to contact her* p$ease do so at JosieKent5ritesFgmai$%com% She'd $o(e to hear from yo#% +$so* if it doesn't ta"e #p too m#ch of yo#r time* a re(iew on this wor" wo#$d be (ery

m#ch appreciated%