Page 24 of Emma's Element

Marcus nodded. “You have no idea how lucky you and the rest of the Nighthawks are. The honest friendships you share . . .” he broke off. Their relationships with each other were enviable.

“I’ll be your friend,” Emma said.

“That’s very sweet of you, but I didn’t tell you all that to make you feel obligated to be a friend.”

“Marcus, you told me all thatbecauseI’m your friend.” The gentle tilt of her lips in a smile warmed him from the inside out. How did she do that? He was talking about a dark episode in his life, a time when the loneliness swamped him, and she made him feel light. She filled the lonely recesses of his being. It was a gift she was bestowing him that he would cherish for the rest of his days.

Jolene returned, and Emma unlaced her fingers from his. Again, he suffered the loss. “You know, seeing you two here like this makes me think that maybe I should add on a private dining space.”

“Would you have room?” Emma asked.

“I don’t know.”

“You could always build up?” Marcus suggested.

“Now there’s an idea. But it’s just a pipe dream. I could never afford an addition.”

“Maybe someday,” Emma empathized.

“Absolutely!” Jolene enthused. “So, what are you two chatting about?”

“Friendship,” replied Emma.

“There’s nothing like a good friend,” Jolene said with a wink for her best friend.

Chapter nine

Marcus,ofcourse,wasonce again walking Emma home after dinner. She was having trouble sticking to her guns to keep her distance from him, he made it so difficult. And his story about those assholes he’d once called friends was the nail in the coffin of her resolve. Who would have thought she’d become so comfortable around a famous movie star? But here she was, enjoying his company immensely.

The silence between them as they walked was easy; neither felt the need to fill it with unnecessary chatter. Everything about the time spent together had been comfortable and effortless. She had been honest when telling him she was his friend. But that was all she could have with him. She needed to remember that.

She felt bad for not sharing her story after he’d told her about his problems with friends. But it was still too fresh. She didn’t talk about it . . . with anyone. Jolene knew because she’d been there for her, and Graham was aware because of the background check he’d done before hiring her. But that was it. She was tired of people judging her for something she had no control over. And it would kill her to see the censure in her new friends. She was unsure how Marcus would react. He was familiar with the way the press worked and the bull-donkey stuff they made up. But she didn’t want to risk it. Whether friendship or more, her relationship with him was becoming too important to chance ruining it with her past.

Emma had felt a little thrill when he’d laced his fingers with hers. But there were also the little things that made her insides melt. A certain glance that made her heart jump. A touch on her lower back sending a special heat flooding through her body. Even now, as they walked side by side, shoulders occasionally brushing up against each other, she felt flutters in her stomach. Ugh, she was such a goner. And heading straight toward heartbreak.

“It’s not too bad out here tonight for February,” she commented, indicating the ‘heat wave’ they were experiencing. It was almost nine o’clock, the temperature near fifty degrees, which was unusual. But Emma wasn’t complaining. It beat the skin-numbing cold.

“Feels like Florida,” he joked.

“Would be a shame to be inside on a gorgeous night like this. Care to extend our stroll?”

“Excellent idea,” Marcus answered. When they reached the stop sign at the end of the block, he took her hand as they crossed the street. She’d expected him to let go once they reached the other side, but he didn’t. And Emma didn’t mind one bit. Knowing what she discovered when studying the photos of him with other women and the lack of physical contact, her heart soared. She started the day determined to keep things between them strictly set on friend status, but one conversation with him and she crumbled. That he grasped her hand was just a bonus.

Emma ducked her head, unable to hide her grin as they walked to the overlook and stopped, both leaning against the railing as they stared off into the dark.

“It’s so quiet here,” he mused. “Peaceful. A man could get used to this.”

“I love it here. I’m so glad Jolene talked me into moving here after I left D.C.”

“I guess city life is not for either one of us,” he commented.

“No, I guess it’s not,” she laughed. “I pretty much grew up outside. My dad and I spent as much time as possible there.”

“You and your dad are close?”

“We were. He died two years ago,” she said sadly. “A mugging gone bad.”

Marcus took her hand. “I’m sorry. What about your mom?”

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