Chance Encounters (18 page)

They stopped off for something to eat while they were
passing through Trenton, New Jersey. He stopped trying to win her over with
five star cuisines and opted for pizza from a local pizza joint. They sat at a
table and shared a pepperoni with bacon. The conversation remained light. No
talk of relationships. No talk of what would happen once they arrived in New
York. They were just two people out for a pizza and enjoying each other’s
company.

Matt was feeling better after a delayed start and filling up
on greasy food. He decided to take over the driving and let Emma relax for a
while. From Trenton to Manhattan it was only another hour and a half until she
reached her new home. As they crossed the state line, Emma looked over at Matt.
She dreaded this part of the conversation. She didn’t know how to brooch the
situation. As he pulled up to the parking garage to her new building, he
clasped her hand. “I don’t expect you to invite me in. I told you that I’m not
giving up, but I am not going to apply any pressure to you. I told you that I
wanted to see you safely to New York. Now, I am just going to go and check into
a hotel. I’ll call you in a while and maybe we can meet up tomorrow for
something to eat.”

Emma felt grateful. He had indeed taken the pressure off of
her. He helped her out of the car and handed her the keys and her bag. He
lifted her chin up with his finger and gently kissed her on the lips. It wasn’t
an urgent kiss, or a passionate kiss. It was the kind of kiss that spoke a
thousand words with just the gentle brush of his lips against hers. She looked
up into his bright blue eyes. He smiled, and ran his thumb along her cheek.
“I’ll check on you later.”

He walked out of the garage and she watched him flag down a
cab. It was a strange feeling being in a new city, alone. She watched Matt’s
cab pull away from the curb. She threw her bag over her shoulder and walked to
the lobby of the building where she was greeted by the doorman. He was a little
overenthusiastic welcoming her to the building. He handed her the key and
smiled politely to her.

She rode the elevator to her temporary apartment and opened
the door. The apartment was smaller than what she was used to. It was really
nothing more than a suite at one of the hotels she and Matt had stayed at, but
it was
her
new home. She walked into the one large room that served as
the dining/living room and placed her bag down. There was a note on the table,
so she picked it up.

Emma,

Welcome to your new home. I took the liberty of stocking
your refrigerator with some basic supplies. I hope it will suffice. Since your
belongings will not be arriving until tomorrow, I also purchased some personal
belongings for you to tide you over. I will swing by in the morning to help you
unpack when your boxes arrive. Please relax, and enjoy your new home. I am very
excited about embarking on this new journey with you. I will see you in the
morning.

Catherine

Emma smiled at how efficient her assistant was. She opened
the refrigerator and it was stocked full with fresh fruits and vegetables,
water, milk, orange and cranberry juices. Catherine really had thought about
everything. She pulled out a block of cheese and sliced it up. Popping a piece
in her mouth, she went in search of some crackers to go along with it. Of
course there were some in a pantry, which again was stocked full of breads,
crackers, soups, rice, and almost everything else she’d need for weeks. She
smiled, she couldn’t help herself.

Emma made her way through the apartment. Everything was so
black and white and very uniform looking. She wondered if Catherine had
anything to do with it. She laid down on top of the plush down comforter that
topped her new bed and stared up at the ceiling, taking in the last few days.
What a crazy whirlwind of emotion she had been going through.

She sat up and reached for her one bag that she had been
travelling with, and dumped the contents out on the bed. She sorted through the
items. Most of them were in need of washing. They were the items she’d had since
her car broke down in Tennessee. She spotted the lavender dress she had
purchased and wore with Jacob. She ran her fingers along the material and
remembered her magical day with him. She picked it up and walked to the closet
to hang it up. As the dress unfolded, a piece of paper fell out from inside of
it. Curious, she bent over and picked it up. She unfolded the paper and
instantly a tear fell from her eyes. It was a hand sketched picture of their
night on the rooftop. Emma was asleep, curled in a blanket, surrounded by
pillows. Jacob’s sketch felt so real, as if she were looking at a photo of that
very moment. Below it was just one line:

You intoxicate my dreams, and breathe life into my soul.

She fell back onto the bed and clutched the paper to her chest.
What does this mean?
she asked herself. If he felt this way, why did he
leave without a good-bye, or why didn’t he come with her?

She curled up into her pillow, still holding the paper to
her chest, afraid if she let it go that it would disappear and she’d have
nothing left of Jacob.

There was an incessant knocking at the door. Emma opened her
eyes and for a moment forgot that she was in her new “temporary” home. She sat
up as she heard the lock on the door give way and a peppy young voice said,
“You can put them over in that corner.”

Emma got to her feet and ran her fingers through her hair to
make sure she didn’t have any snarls. She opened the bedroom door and spotted
two movers, carrying in her boxes. She couldn’t help but notice the petite
redhead who was directing them where to go. The redhead spotted Emma and her
face lit up. “Oh, hi Emma, I am Catherine. It is so good to finally meet you. I
hope you don’t mind, but I have a key so I let the movers in.”

Emma shook her head; she didn’t mind. It was nice to not
have to worry about it. She wasn’t used to an assistant. Catherine pulled a
tablet out of her bag and began pushing buttons.

“I know today is your down day, but … I have you booked at
La Mirage spa at two this afternoon for a mani-pedi, and hair style.”

Emma giggled at Catherine’s planning. She reminded Emma of a
younger Renee.

When the movers were done, Catherine showed them out. She
closed the door and locked it behind her. “So where shall we begin?” Catherine
asked.

“You really don’t have to do this, Catherine. I’m sure
helping me unpack is not exactly in your job description.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Emma. I am on call twenty-four-seven.
Trust me, for what I get paid, you can tell me to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge.
Besides, I won’t always be an assistant. Someday, I will work my way up and be
an editor just like you, so think of me as a student. I want to learn from the
best, and you are the best. I mean, you are the youngest editor here. I have
followed your career and your work for years now. You are amazing.”

Emma blushed. “I wouldn’t go that far. I just worked hard,
really hard.”

“I plan on it, too.”

Something about the way Catherine said it reminded her of
her own drive to be successful. Catherine noticed the piece of paper that Emma
had placed on the table when the movers were there. Catherine picked it up and
smiled at it. “Oh-my-gosh, Emma. This is an amazing drawing. He must really
love you. Did your fiancé draw this?”

Emma’s face dropped at the word fiancé. Catherine noticed.
“Oh!” She looked around the apartment. “I guess I didn’t realize it until now
that you are alone. I think I just assumed you arrived first. I’m sorry, Emma.”

“Don’t apologize. Actually, my ex-fiancé did travel here
with me. He’s at a hotel nearby.” She gently took the drawing back. “As for the
drawing, that is something entirely different.” She tucked it into her pocket.
Catherine took notice of the fact that another man drew the picture and she
blushed.

The day flew by. Emma and Catherine unpacked all the boxes and
discarded them in the dumpster. They had lunch at a trendy little bistro a
couple blocks down. Emma had her nails, and hair done. She had to admit it did
feel good to have a little pampering, but she knew she could have just as
easily painted her nails herself. Matt, of course, kept his word and invited
her out for dinner. So, she said good-bye to Catherine and got herself ready to
go and explore the city with Matt. They took a cab ride around the city. They
figured it would be easiest to get around. He showed her where her new work
building was. She was amazed at how tall it stood. He smiled at her
bewilderment. He was glad he could share this with her.

They ate at Masa on Columbus Circle. Sushi was always their
favorite. The manager at his hotel suggested it to him, and it was a great
suggestion. Five star all the way.

They dined, and stayed for cocktails at the bar. Emma
finally looked at her watch and told him that they should probably leave since
it was getting late. They walked out into the cool Manhattan night. The city
streets were lit up from all the surrounding buildings. It made it hard to
believe it was almost eleven at night. Matt walked her to her building and held
onto her hand. Before she could let go, he leaned in and kissed her gently on her
cheek. “Good night, Em. Good luck tomorrow. Call me when your day is through,
and let me know how you made out on your first day.”

She nodded her head, and turned to walk inside her building.
She quickly turned, but Matt was already getting into a cab. “Good luck to you,
too.” She spoke softly since he wouldn’t hear her anyway. He gave her a wave as
the cab pulled away from the curb. Emma watched, and a strange sense washed
over her. She realized that she was no longer hurt by what had happened between
her and Matt. She was able to let it go, and get what she needed to move on.
This must have been what Lena meant about putting the past to rest, to be able
to move on. She loved Matt, but she wasn’t in love with him. She wanted him in
her life, but not as a lover or a husband. Just the way they were now, two
friends getting together. Her heart finally felt at ease.

THE FIRST TWO weeks at her new job
flew by. She never seemed to stop. She worked from early morning until
sometimes really late at night. She was exhausted, and found it very demanding.
Catherine, true to her word, was by her side every second. She kept Emma’s
coffee cup full at all times and ran all of her every day errands, so Emma
could keep her long hours.

As she was sitting behind her desk, nearing the end of the
long day on Friday, she lost herself deep in thought. She pulled out a piece of
paper and wrote a note, attaching a sizeable check, to Eleanor and Charles in
Knoxville, thanking them for their kindness after her mugging. It had only been
a couple of weeks, and she still found herself avoiding alleys as she walked
down the street. She sealed the letter and put it in her out box to make sure
it got sent out the next morning. She hoped her check would be enough to help
them out. Maybe convince them to move out of the city and into the beautiful
countryside.

Even though Knoxville didn’t sit well with her, she had to
admit that she loved the open green country that Tennessee had to offer. She
could easily see herself living in a ranch in the countryside. Somewhere where
there were no deadlines, or extremely long hours to keep. Somewhere she could
sit on a porch and watch her flowers blossom. Who did she envision sitting
beside her? She looked at the empty chair in her vision, and smiled when she
saw Jacob sitting there, sketching something in his books. That’s the life she
pictured now. Her experiences changed her somewhere along the way. Jacob
changed her.

Emma kicked off her shoes and put her feet up on her desk.
She laid her head back on her chair and closed her eyes. She was dog-tired, and
ready to call it quits for the weekend.

“Now this is what I call work,” a familiar voice called out
from the doorway.

Emma jumped to her feet and screeched at Renee’s voice. “Oh
my gawd, what the hell are you doing here, Renee?”

“Oh I told you I’d be by to check on you. I stopped by your
new digs and the man at the desk told me you spend most of your nights here.
What fun is that?”

“I don’t remember what fun is,” Emma admitted.

“Well, we need to change that now don’t we? Come on, it’s
the weekend, let’s go get drunk and play in the city that never sleeps.”

Emma grabbed her shoes and carried them to the elevator.
Just as the door opened, Emma spotted a single light on down the hall. She told
Renee to hold the elevator that she’d be right back. Emma walked toward the
light and noticed Catherine sitting in a little cubicle typing away. Emma
cleared her throat to get her attention and Catherine instantly slammed her
laptop closed. “Ahh, hi Emma. I’m sorry you didn’t still need me, did you?”

“No, Catherine, but you are here awfully late.”

“I know. I just like to sit here and write when it’s empty.”
She got up and gathered her things. “I know it’s stupid, but I like to envision
myself actually working here as a writer, and not an assistant. So, when
everyone is gone, I feel like I have the whole place to myself.”

Emma knew exactly what she meant. She used to do the very
same thing in L.A.

“I’m heading out with a friend of mine. Why don’t you come?”

“Really?” she asked her.

“Absolutely! That’s what friends are for.”

Catherine threw her laptop into her bag and shut off the
light. The two women walked to the waiting elevator. Emma made the
introductions and Renee welcomed her to ladies night.

The three of them walked out to the road. Catherine flagged
down a cab and held the door open. Emma shook her head and smiled at her, “Cat,
you are off duty. Relax, and let’s have some fun.”

Catherine closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When all
three were in the cab, the cab driver asked, “Where to ladies?” That seemed to
be the question.

Emma shook her shoulders. “I don’t know. I’ve only been here
two weeks and most of that has been here in the office.”

“Don’t look at me. I’m a Malibu girl,” Renee added.

Catherine went into think mode. “Okay, cabbie, take us to
the corner of Broome and Delancey Street. We’ll walk from there.”

The cabbie pulled out into traffic and headed to their
destination. Renee looked at Catherine typing away on her phone. “So, petite
red, where is it that you are taking us?” Renee asked questioningly.

Catherine only smiled at Renee’s comment. She knew she was a
lot smaller than them, but coming from Renee, the Barbie, it was a compliment.
“Well, I have this friend who works at this exclusive bar. You need a
reservation to get in. So I am sending a text to have her write us in … and
boom, we’re in. It’s under Emma Reed.”

Renee admired the little redhead. She liked the spunk she
showed. She fluffed her own blonde tresses and Catherine just stared at her in
complete fascination.

The cab pulled over at the cross street of Broome and
Delancey. Emma paid the cab before Catherine could dig out the cash. She
blushed when Emma put her arm around her and told her to relax. They walked
toward Eldridge Street. There were flyers plastered all over the sides of the
buildings, and taped all over the poles in the sidewalks. Emma glanced at a
few, but one particular one caught her attention. She cut off a couple walking
together and ripped it off a pole. It was a flyer for the Gray Stripes, Todd’s
band. They were playing here in the city tomorrow night. Emma’s heart thudded
rapidly in her chest. She remembered Todd telling her he’d be in the city in a
few weeks, and he’d leave a ticket at the door for her.

Renee ripped the flyer out of her hand and rolled her eyes.
“What has your attention?” She looked at the flyer and shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t know. I didn’t think you liked rock music.”

Emma grabbed the flyer back and tucked it back in her bag.
“You wouldn’t understand.”

“You’ve been saying that to me a lot lately, and I don’t
like it, Emma. I’m not stupid. I know those are the people you were with in
Tennessee.”

“Oooh, I love Tennessee. I’ve always wanted to go there,”
Catherine interjected.

“Just forget it, Renee.” Emma walked on down the road until
Catherine stopped in front of an unmarked door. “Hey, guys, this is it.”

Renee looked around. “What is it?”

Catherine knocked on the door. “This is Milk and Honey.”

A voice called out, “Reservation?”

Catherine nodded. “Yes! Under Emma Reed.”

The door opened and a smiling girl answered the door,
kissing Catherine on her cheek. They were shown to a table and seated. The
place reminded Emma of something from the twenties, during Prohibition. A
handsome waiter walked to their table and asked what they would like. Renee
looked around and threw her manicured hand in the air. “Could we see a menu?”

It only made the waiter laugh. “Here we have no menus. We
serve you by your tastes. All you have to tell me is what flavor are you in the
mood for and our bartender concocts a drink specifically for you.”

Renee rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’ll play … I’m feeling a
little fruity.”

The waiter raised an eyebrow at her. He then looked at
Catherine and Emma. He took one look at Emma and said, “I will surprise you,
Ms. Reed.”

Emma smiled kindly back at the waiter. He winked at
Catherine and walked to the bar.

Their waiter returned a few minutes later and placed three
drinks on the table, each one different. For Renee, a tall glass filled with chunks
of ice and muddled black berries. She took a sip and made a sexy groaning
sound. “Oh my, what is in here?”

The waiter grinned. “Blackberries and Bourbon.”

He slid Catherine her glass and she took a sip. She let out
a pleasurable moan, too. Emma cracked up laughing. “What the hell, guys … are
they really that good?”

Neither one answered as they sucked on their straws some
more. “What is she drinking?” Emma pointed to Catherine’s drink.

“That is our signature Bee’s Kiss. It is milk and honey with
aged rum.”

Lastly, he slid Emma her drink. She hesitated as everyone
watched her lift the glass. She held the straw to her mouth and slowly took a
sip, not knowing what to expect. She could feel the liquid awaken every taste
bud in her mouth. She closed her eyes and swallowed. She tried to contain
herself, but she let out a moan, and Renee and Catherine exploded with
laughter. The surrounding tables all looked at them as if to tell them it was
not an appropriate place to be loud.

Renee circled the table with her hand. “Oh my good man,
three more drinks please and let’s mix them up a little.”

By the time last call was called out, they realized it was
three forty-five in the morning. Emma hadn’t stayed out this late since her and
Renee were in college. They all over tipped the waiter for putting up with
them, and Renee waltzed up to the bartender and slipped him her phone number.
“I’m only in town a couple days. If you can conjure up drinks that make me feel
like this, I can only imagine what else you can do. Call me.”

The bartender grinned and pocketed her phone number. Emma
had no doubt in her mind that he’d be calling her. Catherine flagged down a
cab, which given the time of morning, she was surprised to see how many cabs
were still on the road. They were in the city that never sleeps, everyone was
leaving last call at the same time and the streets were suddenly filled with
people.

The cab pulled up in front of her building and Emma had to
force open the door. The doorman rushed out and helped the three of them out of
the car. They had no idea how intoxicated they were until they all burst out
laughing. Renee was already staying with her in her apartment, and Emma didn’t
want Catherine in a cab alone so she told her to crash with them.

Catherine looked unsure. “Emma, I don’t want to cross any
professional lines here. You are my boss.”

In her best mafia boss accent, Emma threw her hand in the
air and said, “Forget about it.” They all burst out laughing again.

Emma opened her eyes a few hours later. She was surprised that
she didn’t feel like hell after all the drinks they threw back the night
before. She got out of bed and walked into the living room. Catherine was
already in the tiny kitchen brewing coffee. Emma noticed that she folded up all
of her blankets and stacked them nice and neat. Emma checked on Renee who was
still face down on a pillow. She was never a morning person anyway.

While the coffee was brewing, she decided to take a quick
shower and throw on some yoga clothes. She was determined to find a studio nearby
that morning and stretch out. She walked back out into her kitchen and was
surprised to see Matt sitting at the counter drinking a cup of coffee while
Catherine entertained him. She couldn’t help but see the flirtatious smile he
was giving her cute, little redheaded assistant.

Emma walked over to the counter and sat down. Matt
straightened himself up and leaned in to kiss her on her cheek. “Oh hi, Em.
Catherine here was filling me in on your late night last night. Sounds like you
girls had fun.”

Emma nodded her head as she sipped her Italian roast coffee.
Renee, looking all disheveled, walked out into the main room. “I’m exhausted.
Why is everyone up at eight in the morning? You know it is Saturday, right? You
can sleep in.” She noticed Matt and walked over and hugged him. “Hey, Mattie,
how the hell are you?” she asked him.

Catherine handed her a mug of coffee, which she happily
accepted, and turned back to Matt. “Well, actually, I was hoping I could
convince Emma to go out for a run with me this morning.”

Emma looked at him curiously. He hadn’t jogged with her in
years. “Let me go put my shoes on.” She walked out of the room and grabbed her
shoes. When she returned, Matt was already at the door. She told Renee she’d be
back in a while, and thanked Catherine for everything. Catherine smiled, happy
that they all had a good time. She told Emma she’d call her later on and that
if she needed anything, to call her.

Emma and Matt started out on the sidewalk in front of her
building. She lived less than one mile from Central Park, so she and Matt
headed in that direction. They jogged for about an hour before they stopped for
a water break. Matt was panting pretty hard. “I forgot how in shape you are,
Emma. You are making me look bad considering I’m the plastic surgeon.”

Emma let out a laugh, and handed him her water. “Whose fault
is that? You have to actually work at staying in shape, you can’t always buy
it,” she teased.

“Shhh, don’t tell anyone or I’ll be out of a job.”

They sat on a bench overlooking the pond. Emma thought about
the concert later that night and wondered if there was the slightest
possibility that Jacob would be there. She didn’t know what she’d say to him if
he was.

Matt sat and watched her as she pondered over her thoughts.
He reached over and held her hand, but she was a million miles away. He slowly
released her. “Have I lost you forever, Emma? Is all of this a wasted effort on
my behalf?”