Page 56 of Partners In Evil

“No, this is a celebration,” Emma says. “Let’s do it!”

After we order and hand our menus over to the waiter, I lean towards Emma. “I meant what I said in Damien’s office. None of this would have been possible without you.”

“I know,” she says confidently, which I love.

“But more than that, I couldn’t have … I mean,” I fumble. “I’m better for knowing you, Emma. You made me want to be better, to do better, in my life.”

“Thank you for saying that,” she says softly. “That means a lot to hear.”

“I hope you believe that I’ve changed,” I say, looking in her eyes. “I’m not that same callous, self-absorbed demon you first met. I know that I have a lot of ground to make up, to prove to you that I’m different now, and I hope that you’ll give me the chance to show you.”

“I will,” Emma nods. “I’ll be seeing you at work every day, after all.”

“Right, but I’m talking about more than just work,” I say. I take a deep breath, suddenly nervous. “I’d like to try again with you, Emma.”

“Try what again?” she asks, a small smile hovering on her lips.

“Try dating you again. Try being your partner,” I say. “I can be the demon that you deserve.”

The waiter chooses that moment to come over with the champagne and glasses. I want to tell him to go away, but don’t want to be rude. So we sit there, staring at each other, as he seems to take forever opening the bottle and pouring our drinks. Finally, he leaves.

But Emma stays silent. Her eyes drop to the table, and I think that I’ve pressed too hard. That I should be happy that she’ll even consider still being friends with me; that after the way I’ve acted and what I’ve put her through, I don’t have the right to ask for anything more.

Then she raises her glass, and my heart lifts. “Yes, Finn,” Emma says. “I’d like to try again, too.”

I grin as relief surges through me, and clink my glass against hers. “Thank you so much, Emma.”

“Don’t make me regret this,” she says, but her tone is teasing and her eyes are kind.

“I won’t,” I promise, leaning over the table and kissing her.

She responds eagerly, and we don’t pull apart until we hear someone clearing their throat next to us. “Your food has arrived,” our waiter says as we look up.

“Thank you,” I say contritely, as Emma blushes. As soon as he leaves, we both crack up.

After lunch, we walk back to the office. I put my arm over her shoulders and pull her close. “Would you like to do something tonight?” I ask.

“I would, but I should really spend some time at home,” Emma says with a sigh. “I can’t remember the last time I did laundry. And I’m pretty sure that there’s a new form of life or five growing on all the spoiled food in my fridge.”

“I can help with that,” I say.

Emma laughs. “The powerful Finn Blackwell is offering to scrub a fridge?”

“Like I said, I’ve changed,” I point out. “Plus, if you have so much laundry to do, that means you’ll be naked, right? What with all your clothes being in the wash?”

Emma laughs again. “You actually have a good point,” she says, looping her hand through mine. “Sure, come over after work. Hopefully we can get out at a decent hour.”

“I’m pretty sure we can arrange that,” I say as we go back upstairs. “Although I don’t know how productive your afternoon is going to be.”

“What do you mean?” Emma asks as the elevator doors open.

“Well, there’s something very important we need to do in the conference room first,” I say.

“Wait, what?” she asks in confusion. “I didn’t have a meeting on my calendar.”

Instead of answering, I swing open the door to our largest conference room, where the entire firm is gathered. “Surprise!” they yell as Emma steps into the room.

Her mouth drops open in surprise, and then she turns to me. “You knew about this!” Emma cries, swatting my arm as everyone laughs.

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