Chapter 67
Emma was processing the fact that she had won a prize in the contest. It was more than she could have hoped for. Her phone rang, and she answered.
“Congratulations!” Spencer cheered. “I just saw the contest results, and I saw you placed! Everyone in the industry is going to want you now.”
“Thanks,” Emma smiled despite herself. “I think I’m still in shock. Getting to the final was great enough. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would place.”
“I told you! I’m going to try even harder to get you to work with me. You’re the hottest new architect around. Let me take you to lunch to celebrate, and hopefully sell you on the idea of working here.”
“Sure, that sounds lovely.”
“Great! I’ll take you to this amazing place downtown. Dress nice. It’s on the fancier side.”
“Spencer, that’s too much!”
“Nonsense! You deserve it! Besides, you shared your homemade cake with me. I could never repay that.”
“Okay,” Emma laughed. Send me the address, and I’ll meet you there.”
“See you soon!”
When Spencer hung up, Emma dashed into her closet to select a good outfit. She wanted to appear fancy, but casual. This was not a date. She was having lunch with a friend. She kept is simple with a sleeveless, white silk blouse and calf length form-fitting skirt with an asymmetrical hem. She paired the outfit with nude, strappy heels and gold accessories. She tucked her hair behind her ears and secured one side with a gold hair clip. As always, her makeup was minimal, but she opted for a bold red lip.
“Perfect,” she said, admiring herself. She looked great, but not like she was trying. “I’d totally wear this to go out with Sabrina. Right? Yeah. This is good.”
Spencer was waiting for her outside of the restaurant when she arrived. He smiled as her driver let her out of the car.
“Thanks, Jack,” she called to him. “I’ll call you if I need a ride back.”
“Of course, Miss.” She turned around to see Spencer smiling at her. He really was very handsome. *In another life, perhaps we could have been something.*
“You look amazing,” Spencer said, transfixed on Emma. She blushed.
“Thank you.”
“Shall we?” he offered his arm and she looped hers around it and he escorted her inside. “This place is great. You’ll love it.”
“It looks really nice,” Emma marveled looking around. As she admired the restaurant, her eyes settled on a sight she did not want to see. Will and Grace were nestled into a booth on a wall away from the window.
Will looked up, and their eyes locked.
“What’s wrong?” Spencer asked. He followed Emma’s gaze. “Oh. Would you like to leave?”
“No,” Emma said. She walked right towards them, pulling Spencer along with her. “I won’t run.”
“Hi,” Will greeted, but his voice wasn’t friendly or cordial.
“Hi,” Emma answered back.
“Why don’t you two with us?” he suggested, gesturing to the empty seats. Emma slid in, her eyes never leaving his. They stared each other down, a battle of self-control raged between them.
“Hi, Emma,” Grace greeted. Her hands suddenly all over Will. One hand finally rested on Will’s. He didn’t seem to notice. “Who is your friend?”
“Oh, how rude of me,” Emma said with feigned fluster. “This is my friend, Spencer. We met through the International Association of Architecture Design Conference Competition. Spencer, this is Grace. She is Will’s best childhood friend.” Will and Emma glowered at each other.
“It’s nice to meet you, Grace. Good to see you again, Will.”
“You two seem to be really close. You look like more than friends to me,” Grace laughed, trying to sound like she was joking.
“That’s funny,” Emma said. “I’m not the one with my hands all over someone else’s husband.”
Grace laughed awkwardly.
“You seem to be really lucky with your friends. All of these handsome, successful men always seem to be around you despite your less than fortunate background.”
“Hmm,” Emma mused. “You know, suddenly I’m not hungry. Will, enjoy lunch with your new Vivian.” She stood up and looked to Spencer. “Let’s go.”
“Of course,” Spencer stood and escorted Emma from the restaurant. When Emma was out of sight, Will sighed and pulled his hand away from Grace. She tried to hold it again, but Will moved away.
“Why can’t I hold your hand?” she fumed.
“Because I don’t want you to.”
Grace frowned. Will was using her against Emma. She realized that Will was in love with Emma, even if he didn’t know it himself. He slouched in his seat, staring wistfully at the entrance of the restaurant. She hated it. Will was supposed to love her and only her. She’d have to find a way to split them up. Will would never be the one to leave, so she would have to make Emma leave him. He would be broken and run right back to her. She’d have him back in no time.
“We have so much history here. This is where we had our first official date. Do you remember?”
“I don’t feel like talking about the old days with you, Grace. I only accompanied you for lunch because you begged me to. You killed all those ‘sweet’ memories when you left me.”
“You say that like it didn’t hurt me too,” Grace said, not giving up. He’d never been this way with her and she didn’t like it. “I never loved Denis. I left you and went with him hoping that it would wake you up, and you’d want to marry me.”
“I’m not having this conversation. I’m going to the restroom.” He slid out of the booth and walked away.
“This is going to be harder than I thought,” Grace huffed. Something on her table caught her eye. Will’s phone. And it was unlocked. A devious plan began to form in her mind. She scrolled through his contacts and found the name she was looking for.
“This is war, Emma.”
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