Page 23 of Cupcak
“Holy shit. Don’t. Don’t do what I think you’re trying to do,” I say, seeing the signs and knowing what’s coming. It’s all I can do not to gather her in my arms and lock us both in a room until I can make things OK. Because theyhaveto be OK. Two people like us don’t just find each other and then end it. No. We find each other and live happily-ever-fucking-after. That’s how it works.
“Drake. I have to,” she whispers, lifting her eyes to mine as her eyes well with tears.
“No, cupcake.” My voice is soft, and even to my own ears, it sounds hoarse and filled with pleading. “The only thing you have to do is step into my arms and promise never to run away from me again.”
She releases a stuttered breath. “I’m going to hand in my notice.” My heart drops to my stomach as her words hit me like a sledgehammer. “I thought I could do it, but it is just too much responsibility for me at the moment. It wouldn’t be fair for me to keep working for you when I—”
“Don’t.” I bite out, cutting her off.
Her head snaps back. “Mr.Grant, I—”
“Don’t,” I growl, watching as she blinks rapidly and a tear slides down her cheek. “Don’t start that shit again. Not with me. Last night you were screaming my name while I was buried deep inside you, Emmy. You gave yourself, promised yourself, and I’m here to make sure you understand exactly where you belong.”
The red of indignation furiously creeps up her cheeks. “I havenothingto offer you,” she yells suddenly.
“What are you talking about?” I argue. “All I want is you. Can’t you understand that? Don’t walk away from this, Emmy. Don’t quit.”
“I have to, Drake. You and I? We just won’t work. And we’re kidding ourselves if we think we will,” she cries, her chest hiccupping. All I want to do is reach out and hold her, cradle her in my arms until her tears subside and the whole world is OK again. But I don’t think that’s what she wants.
I take a deep breath. “I see. This is because I’m too old for you, isn’t it? You’re so young, so beautiful, kind, and intelligent. You made me laugh and feel like there was light in the world. And then I went and messed it all up last night by going too fast. That was stupid. I was just…I’m so sure about you, Emmy. I look at you and all I see is my future. I want to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep next to you every night. I want you to bear my children. I want you to share my life, my career, and my heart. I want you in every aspect of my world, cupcake. But I’m guessing by that wide-eyed frown, you don’t feel the same way about me. Is that right?”
Tilting her head to the side, she swallows hard and shakes her head slightly. “Drake, I—”
“It’s OK. I get it. You’re young. I’m old. And I should have known better than to get so carried away. Heck, what was I even thinking?” I run my hand through my hair and let out a sigh. “I’m old enough to be your father. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you, and you should be out there living it, but instead, I was trying to push you into something you are definitely not ready for. Who wants kids in their twenties anymore? Am I right?” I try to laugh, but it doesn’t come out that way, so I sigh instead.
“No, Drake—”
“Anyway, you’re not quitting, Emmy. Not for anything—least of all me. No matter what has happened between us, and no matter how you feel about me now, what we did last night will never get in the way of your future. You’re an asset to the team,” I assure her, desperate to convince her not to walk out of my life entirely. “You’ve got an opportunity in front of you that’ll take you places and set you up for life. You’ve got what it takes to go all the way in this game, so there’s no way in hell I’m letting you quit. You can’t give up the best job you’ve ever had. Not because some old fool fell in love with you the moment he looked at you.” I give her one last longing look, desperate to touch her, but knowing I’ve already done more than my fair share of that.Fucking idiot.“I’m rambling now, so I’ll leave it at that. I guess that’s all I really need to say—keep the job. I’ll make sure I stay out of the way. Goodbye, Emmy.”
I turn toward the door, but before I can move an inch, Emmy darts forward, her arms going around my neck as she throws herself into my arms. “Stop!”
“Emmy?” My eyes search hers in disbelief.
“Oh, my god, you ramble worse than I do,” she says, crying and laughing at the same time.
“I…I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either. But please, don’t leave,” she cries, burying her face into my neck, big, body wracking sobs shaking her body. “I need you.”
Startled by the rapid change of events, it takes me a moment, but when I finally manage to gather my wits, my arms come around her, and I lift her off her feet. She wraps her legs around my waist, still holding me and weeping even harder. “It’s OK, cupcake,” I soothe. “It’s all going to be OK. I’m here.”
Carrying her toward the living room, I sit us on the couch with her on my lap and rub my hand over her back, sweeping her hair over her shoulder, kissing her neck and her hot cheeks that are wet with salty tears. “I’m so s-sorry,” she wails. “I…I don’t know what’s wr-wrong with me.”
“Emmy, please, don’t cry,” I plead. “Why don’t you try telling me what’s wrong? I want to know.”
“It’s not you,” she says, her voice coming out in a shaky hiccup.
“What’s not me?”
“This.” She pulls her face away from my neck, and her red, tear-stained face looks up at mine. I run my fingers across her wet cheeks, wiping her tears away and she reaches up to hold my hand in place.
“Are you saying that you’re not crying because of something I did?”
She nods.
“Are you crying because of something else?”
She shakes her head, and I’m thoroughly confused.
