Jaqueline’s cheeks dimpled as she grinned.
“Good. I’m feeling really good about it, actually.”
Emily nodded along and hummed. There was a pause, as she wondered how to word the next question. This conversation had been rehearsed so many times in Emily’s mind, that now it was happening, it all felt very surreal.
“I’m glad,” she said, clasping her hands together. She sat up a little more straight and cleared her throat. Jaqueline looked at her with scrutiny. Emily knew she was reading her and could tell she was up to something. In fact, she was surprised Jaqueline hadn’t already figured it all out. The two of them spent almost every working day together, as Emily mentored Jaqueline and taught her everything she knew. Now, she had nothing more to teach.
Jaqueline had become the best in the company. She was the most asked-for matchmaker, even above Emily. Jaqueline possessed a gentleness that nervous clients appreciated. She drew in people who would have been scared off by Emily’s brash nature. And as a result, the business had boomed.
“I want you to know how much I appreciate you,” Emily began. Her voice slipping into a New York accent with nerves. “All the hard work you’ve put in, you’ve really made Find my Companion shine.”
Jaqueline beamed at her.
“Thank you Emily,” she said simply. She remained composed, her ankles crossed neatly and knees kept together. Emily noticed Jaqueline’s green pencil skirt made her auburn hair pop, and complimented the ivory chiffon blouse, which tucked in at the waist. She had come a long way. Not just in fashion, but in confidence.
“I just got the call, and I want you to be the first person to know.” Emily rested her hand on Jaqueline’s, prompting Jaqueline’s brows to raise even higher. “David and I, are moving to LA.”
Jaqueline’s mouth fell open, prompting a smile to cross Emily’s face. So, she did manage to keep this a secret, after all. She made a mental note to remind David he owed her fifty dollars. He insisted there was no way she could keep this from her best friend.
“Wow, this is big news.” Jaqueline leaned in and gave Emily a hug. “Are you setting up…”
“Find my Companion in LA? Yes. I’ve been flying over there to find an office and I’ve already lined up some new clients.”
“So, all those days you called in sick? They were…”
Emily raised a hand guiltily.
“You got me.” She grinned. “You really didn’t know?”
Jaqueline laughed, her face flushing with color.
“There was a bet going on in the office, that you were pregnant,” she said doubling up with mirth.
Emily’s hand instinctively flew to her stomach.
“Well, once we’re all settled in LA and the new office is ready, I’ll have more news to share.” The two of them laughed lightly and looked at each other, suddenly out of words to say. Then Emily remembered what she wanted to speak to Jaqueline about. This was harder than she imagined it to be.
“I need someone to manage this place. Someone I can trust. Someone who lives and breathes this business.”
Jaqueline’s lips curled inward to form a small line across her face as her eyes widened at Emily.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. And I don’t expect you to answer me now. Take some time to think about it. But… how do you feel about taking my office?”
“Are you for real? I don’t even need to think about it. Emily, this is amazing,” Jaqueline burst out with excitement, looking wildly around the office as if seeing it for the very first time. “I would be honored.”
The two of them hugged again.
“Okay, we have a lot to go through. We can set up a meeting tomorrow but I’m so glad you’re happy to do this.” Emily rose to her feet and Jaqueline followed.
“I won’t let you down Emily. I promise. I can’t believe it.”
Emily knew Jaqueline wouldn’t let her down. She was the most honest, hard-working woman she knew. And she possessed the drive and ambition that Emily had. She was the perfect choice.
David walked into the bedroom with a heavy sigh. It had been a long day, meeting up with his father and going over the paperwork for his upcoming nuptials. He never thought his father would fall in love again. Much less, marry again. But thanks to an iron-clad prenup and many, many family dinners, another Marks wedding was on the cards.
Emily looked up at him from the bed, her hair was tied back into a loose bun and she had already removed her make up. The sight sent memories flooding back.
Their wedding was small and private on Martha’s Vineyard. Julie and Harold had flown in with their young son, Bobby.
Catherine sang for their first dance. And the entire wedding party ran into the sparkling waters at the end of the evening.
By the time they had returned to their room, all traces of make up had been washed away and Emily had tied her damp hair into a bun. David had no sleep at all that night and the two of them stayed in the room for three straight days. The memory sent heat rushing through David’s body.
“I told Jaqueline today,” Emily said, her cheeks flushing as she grinned at him.
“Good. You took your sweet time. We’re leaving next week,” David replied, pulling off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. Emily bit her bottom lip as her eyes traveled up and down his body. As if she was a human scanner. She crawled over the covers like a tiger and hummed.
“So, Mr. Marks, are you ready to start a new life in LA?” she said coyly, grasping David’s shirt collar. David inhaled the sweet scent of her perfume and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her up to his lips.
“Not quite,” he muttered between kisses. “I’m not done making memories in New York.”
Emily giggled as they crashed onto
