Page 92 of Stuck with Mr. Grump

She shakes her head. “No. Eventually, I plan to start my own company. I’ve been trying to gather resources. I already have anidea in my head and although it still needs fleshing out, I’m sure it’ll work out. I even already have my first employee,” she says proudly.

“Really?” I ask, surprised.

“Remember Paige?”

I nod. “The teenage girl that was in the accident? How is she now?”

“She’s great. She’s in college right now and I don’t know if it’s fate but she’s majoring in fashion and design. When I talked to her and told her about establishing my company, she said she wanted to be my first hire.”

I’m sure Paige simply wants to pay her kindness back. A kindness Emilia probably doesn’t think much of anymore. Back then, she left me in awe by how simple her decision was to save that girl. But that’s who she is. Bright and so selfless it worries me at times. But she’s also strong and tough as rocks. I know she’ll succeed in whatever she sets her heart on.

“That’s amazing, angel. You look excited.”

“I am. I mean, it’ll be a while before I actually get to achieve it all, but at least I have a future to look forward to now. One I can be proud of.”

“You’ll achieve every single thing your heart desires. I know it,” I assure her, raising my glass toward her for a toast.

Our main course is brought out, delicately prepared lamb and roast that tastes almost divine. We eat silently for a bit until I grow curious about something else.

“So why did you leave Edenton? You love that town. You once told me it was the first place you ever felt safe.”

She smiles softly. “You remember I told you how freeing it was to let my café go. I think Edenton felt like the café to me as well. I realized I needed to stop holding on to sentimentality instead of just moving on and living the life I wanted. LeavingEdenton wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have found my current job or my dreams for the future.”

“Sounds… philosophical,” I say teasingly.

“Shut up,” she retorts with a smile. “But seriously, I’m good now too, really good.”

“And how are things with your family?”

“Things are better,” she says in a low tone. “I’m not going to lie and say I told them every single detail about my past. It would be too painful for them to handle. But I did tell Dad and Carson that my mom died. They seemed sad for me, but I know they don’t really understand why it’s so hard for me to talk about her.”

“Do you think you’ll ever get to a point where it’ll be easy?”

She pauses, thinking about that. “Maybe. I guess I’m waiting for something. Maybe closure? Or peace. I still have so many unresolved feelings when it comes to her. I’m just scared no one will understand them. It doesn’t even make sense to me at times. My mother wasn’t a good person, but it breaks my heart that she’s gone.”

“Promise me something?” I ask. “Whenever you’re ready, whenever you’ve found that inner peace, promise you’ll talk to me about it? Everything. I want to know all of you, angel. Even the bad parts, the things that are hard to say. I’ll understand.”

“It’s not always easy to understand other people’s actions,” she says hesitantly.

“I would never judge you, Emilia.”

“You say that now, but…” She sucks in a breath. “I’m scared, Sterling. That you have this idea of me in your head that I can’t live up to. I’ve made mistakes as well. I’m like, the furthest thing from perfect.”

I frown. “I don’t think you’re perfect, Emilia. I see every imperfections, they just don’t matter to me. I want you regardless of your faults.”

Her lips part and then she sniffs. “Damn, Harrington. Calm down before my heart bursts out of my chest or something. I prefer it when you’re a jerk, makes it easier not to fall for you.”

My lips tilt up in a wild smile. “That sounds like a yes to being my girlfriend.”

“When and where was that question posed? Because I have no memory of it happening.” She laughs.

“Right now, right here, angel.”

I call for the staff to bring out dessert with a small flick of my fingers. It’s a small chocolate cake, her favorite, with the words ‘will you be my girlfriend’ written on the edge of the plate. Emilia gasps softly when it’s placed in front of her.

Her eyes shine with affection as she looks at me.

“You really pulled out all the stops, didn’t you?” she asks.

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