Page 49 of Fortune's Control
“Same, but in reverse. What’s next? The playboy’s newest sex shop, right?”
I rolled my eyes, amused, knowing that Shane’s friend, via a few superficial personality traits, left quite the impression. “Aiden Taggert. He’s building a classic car restoration business. I don’t know what’s happening with the other storefront.”
“Another storefront? How fascinating.” Sheleaned in. “You know what else is interesting? Your marriage to Shane Wilcott. We should talk about that now that I’ve met him in person. Phone calls are great, but they only do so much.”
“What’s your impression of him?”
“He’s good-looking, gruff, and polite.”
I hoped for more. “Is that all?”
“What do you want me to say? If your stay here is temporary, then none of it matters. If you want to move here, you two need to figure things out. Because right now, I don’t understand it. First, you married a complete stranger, which is bizarre enough.” Emma made a star shape with her hands. “Are you sure it’s because he feels sorry for you? Because that doesn’t match what he told me.”
“You never told me what you talked about.” There was no point in asking Shane. He was close-mouthed enough to pretend it never existed.
Emma stopped short. “He said his mother’s ghost would haunt him if he hadn’t stepped in. He also said his instincts told him to help you out, and he wouldn’t back down until they told him something different.”
“Is that all?” I’d bet on more.
“Tell me about your talk this morning instead.”
I won my bet, and what did it get me?
“After our conversation, I’m even more convinced he’s not into me. You didn’t see him, Emma. He acted more like a police detective than a real-life one. I’d hoped we’d discuss our relationship or that dreadful date, or at least agree to be friends. Instead, he grilled me about suspects and evidence. I expected to be placed in a lineup.”
Her lips flattened. “I believe his questions came from a place of excessive concern rather than pity. They also show care.”
His sister, Sophie, warned me about him. Shane decided,and I followed. The entire conversation left me exhausted, so that by the end, my resolutions lay in ruin. All I wanted to do after was sit by the pool and drink margaritas.
I’m a certified mess. Put a trademark on me. Or was that copyright? “What’s the difference?”
“One says it’s time to pack it up and move on. The other...” She shrugged. “That suggests he cares.”
“But what about the baseball thing? He’s in a baseball league, and I didn’t know?” This detail irked me, although I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. Did Shane not want fans at his game? I’ve seen his shoulders and chest, and flat out refused to believe he couldn’t play, so embarrassment wasn’t an option. “And why did our date end like it did? He left me standing there, Emma. I invited him to my room, and he said no. I gave him the ick, so hard pass.”
“Oh, I think something was hard.” She covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “You did two days of your mother’s advice.” Her lips twisted into a grimace. “If it were me, I would confront him. Approach him directly and be straightforward. Tell him your terms; if he doesn’t give in, then walk away. Get this annulment and you’re done.”
“You’d never marry him.”
“Okay, here’s the softer version of my opinion. From everything you’ve told me, he’s interested and unsure how to proceed. That matches the time I talked to him. Make the first move. Invite yourself to this mysterious baseball game. Then kiss him and see what he does next. Ball in his court, or ball in his diamond, so to speak.”
“That’s awful.”
We arrived at Aiden’s new storefront, and Emma went silent. She gazed up at the washed-out brick and worn-out sign. Her mouth fell open. “Is this it? It’s perfect for a boutique or a hobby shop or alittle store.”
I squinted, confused. Aiden’s business comprised well over half the space, almost overwhelming the tiny retail shop next door. “See the second floor? The apartment comes with. Aiden works on it in his spare time, so it isn’t available yet.”
Emma choked.
“Are you interested?”
“What would my parents say? I know your other children fulfilled your dreams of becoming doctors and lawyers. I ran away to start up a sewing shop because you can’t take care of me forever. They’d disown me.”
Emma’s parents deserved awards compared to my mother. They expressed pride in Emma as much as they did in their other four children. Still, it must be difficult growing up surrounded by perfection, especially after her childhood struggles.
Neither of us quite fit in when we were growing up.
“They won’t disown you. You don’t need to be a nuclear physicist to be successful, and everyone knows how hard you worked in school.”
