Page 80 of Love's Cure

“How’s it coming?”

“It’s almost ready for you and Whitney to help with the interior decorating. I think you’ll be pleased.”

“That’s so exciting. I can hardly wait.”

“It’s important to me that I have your input going forward.” He checked his watch. “Guess we’d better head back. I don’t want to be late for my appointment to meet with my mother.”

Emmett took her hand, and they headed back toward the footbridge, their steps in sync.

As they walked, Crystal kept glancing at Emmett. Each time she did, he was smiling at her.

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Even though Crystalhad cleaned up after returning to Jerry and Lance’s house, she sat beside Emmett in his car, fussing over her appearance.

“You look fine,” said Emmett. “As beautiful as ever.”

“I’m prepared to leave quickly if your mother orders me out,” she said.

“No need. I’ll take care of that. It’s time my family understood what you mean to me. No more nonsense from them,” said Emmett firmly.

“Just as you want them to understand how you feel about me, it’s important for you to let your mother know how you feel about her drinking,” she said. “It’s a disease that can be controlled, but only if she’s willing to do the work.”

They drove up to a new condo building along the beach, and Emmett parked.

Crystal got out of the car telling herself she could do this, that it was necessary to confront Natalie. But that didn’t stop nerves from curling through her body, threatening a headache.

Emmett took hold of her hand, lifted it to his lips, and her nerves settled. He needed her, loved her.

Emmett rang Eloise’s apartment, and she buzzed him into the vestibule where they climbed into an elevator. They reached the top floor of the building, and after the doors opened, they easily found the entrance to Eloise’s condo not far down the carpeted hallway.

Emmett knocked, and when Eloise opened the door, her gaze immediately flew to Crystal. “We didn’t know you were bringing someone.”

“She's not someone; she’s my girlfriend, Crystal Owen.” He turned to her. “Crystal, this is Eloise Harding, a family friend.”

“Oh, yes, we met last night. I’m pleased to see you under better circumstances,” said Crystal, her attention focusing from Eloise to Natalie who was approaching them at a rapid rate.

“Hello, Mother,” said Emmett. “I came to see how you were. Crystal called me to tell me what had happened at the theater.”

“We can talk in my guest suite,” said Natalie. “You’ll have to excuse us, Crystal.”

“No, Crystal’s here at my request. I think she can be a help to both of us. Besides, Crystal and I have a serious relationship, and she should be part of this. Especially with Dad’s political campaign happening.”

Natalie thinned her lips with frustration, then led them to another part of the condo.

The guest suite had a small sitting area. Emmett helped Crystal to one of the two chairs by a window and left to get another chair.

Natalie sat opposite Crystal looking scared.

“It’s going to be alright,” said Crystal softly.

Natalie glared at Crystal. “What are you doing here? Have you come to gloat?”

Emmett returned with a chair. “I heard you, Mother. I told you. Crystal and I have a close relationship. In fact, I hope to marry her one day if she’ll forgive my family for being so judgmental, so shallow.”

“What about Diana?” Natalie said while Crystal sat still absorbing the words Emmett had just spoken.

Emmett shook his head. “That was and is never going to happen with Diana. I’ve never thought of her as anything other than a friend. But after discovering and witnessing how unpleasant she’s been to Crystal, I’m reconsidering that.”

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