Page 54 of Resisting the Temptation
Emma:Thank you for the flowers.
Ben:My pleasure. Glad you liked them.
I ignore the way butterflies take flight in my stomach at his reply.
I’m not looking forward to work tomorrow.
Chapter 26
Ben
Emma hasn’t been her usual bubbly self this week.
I can’t tell if it’s because of the flowers, the stuff with her grandpa, or something else, and it’s driving me crazy. She won’t talk to me about it, and she insists everything’s fine when I’ve dared ask.
She’s putting on her happy mask with everyone, but her eyes are missing their spark, and when she thinks no one’s watching, her shoulders sag. More than once, I’ve seen her dab her eyes with a tissue. She’s barely spoken to me, only when she needs something work related. She’s declined my invitations to join me on job sites, saying she needs to get paperwork done, which is a lie. She gets all of her paperwork done on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Other than the thank you text, she hasn’t brought up the flowers. I should have known they were too much, but I’m not good at this. The wooing or whatever. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to do anything romantic,and I was never good at it in the first place. You’d think at thirty-two, I would know how to impress a woman.
Janessa and I were in each other’s orbit, sharing the same friend group and living in the same dorm, I don’t think I ever even asked her on a proper date. One day, I kissed her, and we never stopped. When our leases were up, it made sense to move in together. The only official thing I did was propose, and even that wasn’t some grand gesture. I took her to a nice dinner and got down on one knee with a ring I picked out just a few days before.
I cringe thinking about it. No wonder our relationship never worked out. I definitely didn’t have my priorities in order then, but I won’t make the same mistakes with Emma.
My dad approaches Emma’s office, and she fixes her face into a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Ciao, bella!Camila wanted me to extend an invitation to come over for lunch tomorrow. We would love a chance to get to know you a little better.”
Weird. They never invite just a single person, it’s usually a company thing.
“Oh, that’s so kind, Enzo. I just—”
“Before you say no, just think about it. Good food, good company! Camila has been talking about you non-stop since Saturday. I will deny my wife nothing, and it would mean so much to her if you would join us.”
I can’t see Emma, but I’m sure she’s biting her lip while she thinks. Obligation and her people-pleasing tendencies are going to make her agree.
“What time should I be there, and what can I bring?” she indulges, andPapàclaps his hands in delight.
“Nothing,bella.Nothing. Just yourself.” There’s a brief pause, then he says, “Mateo is eager to meet you.”
I don’t hear what Emma says after that because of the ringing in my ears.
Oh, hell no.
This is a setup. Mamà’s got her matchmaking hat on, and she’s trying to set up Mateo and Emma.
Over my dead body.
I don’t hear the rest of their conversation over the roar of my blood pounding in my ears, but when Papà walks towards my office I start aimlessly typing so it looks like I’m busy.
He closes the door, which means this isn’t a conversation he wants overheard, and takes a seat in the chair across from me.
“I would like you to pick Emma up for lunch tomorrow.”
I can’t help my disbelieving scoff. “If you’re trying to set her up with Mateo, why would I pick her up?”
“Because she knowsyounot Mateo. Yet. I want her to enjoy the day without worrying about driving home.” He gives me a mischievous grin. “Mateo can take her home after.”
“She’ll never go for it,” I argue, knowing she’d rather walk than ride with me.
