Page 47 of Only for Love

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Emma

“Surprise!” A dozen faces stare at me, smiling and beaming. There’s a cake in the center of the break room table.

I’m in a Grayson-Ford-is-alive stupor, and now I have to play happy at a surprise party.

“Happy birthday,” comes from several co-workers.

One of the managers elbows another. “Wow, think we got her?”

“She’s so stinkin’ sweet. That might be the best surprise face ever.”

Holy crap. My office threw me a surprise party? I might be a lowly intern and even a stripper, but I’m not ungrateful. I pull it together fast. “Thank you!”

Sarah squeezes me, a public act of friendship, a private act of support. Then she nudges me toward the cake. The candles are burning low, the wax melting onto the white sheet cake. Scrolled in magenta icing is “Happy 21st Birthday!” Next to the cake are paper plates and plastic forks.

“Birthday girl cuts the cake. And get a move on.” A marketing exec known for his sweet tooth chuckles.

“Come on.” Sarah tugs me to the table and cuts the first slices before Eileen, our office receptionist, butts in.

Jeremy pushes his glasses higher on his nose. “Emma, this is from the office.” He reaches under the table and pulls out a basket. “I’m not sure we’ve ever had an intern work so hard.”

They’ve probably never had an intern so hard up and ready to make a better life.

“Open it!”

I step forward and eye the cellophane wrap. “It’s beautiful.”

“Well, you can thank Sarah and Eileen for that.”

Some of the guys eat cake and urge me to open the basket. Whatever is underneath all the plastic, it’s got everyone excited. This feels like more than the standard present our office pulls together. Tearing it open, I see bright pink shredded paper then smaller presents, individually wrapped.

I tear open the first one. It’s a cookbook, and the title makes me giggle.1001 Ways to Make Ramen Noodles. Holding it up, I can’t help but laugh. That’s all I eat because they’re super cheap. Less moolah spent on me, more spent on Cally.

Eileen stops cutting cake. “If you’re going to eat that crap every day, might as well change it up a little.”

“Thanks.” I open the next few gifts. A pink fuzzy pen holder for my desk. A framed picture from our company retreat, which I was only able to spend a few hours at, and an envelope. I pull it out, and everyone steps closer. It’s a letter, but with everyone staring at me, I’m nervous. “What’s this?”

Jeremy nods toward the paper in my hand. “Something well earned.”

The entire room is watching me. A nervous energy runs through me, and I unfold it.

Dear Emma Kingsley,

On behalf of Creative Dynamic Worldwide, thank you for your hard work and dedication. You are the first recipient of a new benefit for selected Creative Dynamic employees: tuition reimbursement.

Thank you,

Jeremy Rossdale

“Oh my God.” I look up, but tears cloud my vision, then they spill. Rapidly blinking, I try to match Jeremy’s face to what I think this means. “Is the company picking up my tuition this semester?”

He nods. “Funny how the corporate headquarters won’t cut one of our best interns a check, but they’re open to paying some of your bills.”

“It’s a tax write-off,” one of the accountants volunteers.

“It was Jeremy’s idea.” Eileen nods toward her boss.

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