Page 7 of Decoding Emma
“I’ve got it.”
She smiled, and I smiled back as I handed her the latte and food, then picked up mine.“Do you want to sit down here or go up to the employee lounge?”
“Which is quieter?”She wasn’t anxious exactly, but she definitely wasn’t comfortable being around this large group of people.
“This time of day?The lounge.”
“There, please.”
“Okay.”What was with Emma?She seemed nervous and out of sorts, a mystery I was becoming more and more determined to solve.Once on the second floor, I guided her down the hall to one of the quieter areas.As soon as the door to the employee lounge closed, her—was it anxiety or just shyness?—disappeared as she sat in one of the chairs at a small table.
I sat and put my drink, food, and napkins on the table.Emma tore open the paper bag holding her muffin, her demeanor now a bit more relaxed.
Had she been like this at the party?It definitely seemed that way.Did she remember me?She gave no indication that she did.
I’ve thought about that night quite a bit in the months since.I’d been invited by a friend and had only intended to make an appearance and leave until I saw Emma standing alone, looking a little lost and more than a little uncomfortable.Not unusual, especially at parties where they didn’t know anyone.
She’d radiated quiet elegance and style, even within the frenetic atmosphere created by a group of high intensity professionals letting off steam.I made my way over to talk to her, and as I got closer, she turned and bumped into me before I could get a word out.I barely had a chance to make sure she was okay when a friend tugged me away.
By the time I managed to detach myself from my friend, Emma was gone.I was disappointed, but that short encounter stayed with me.Now I understood better why she bolted.
In Daily Perks, she’d had the same look on her face as the night of the party: faraway and closed off, even anxious.As we sat in the quiet of the lounge, drank our coffee, and ate our pastries, her body appeared relaxed, but her gaze remained fixed on the table.
This woman was intriguing.Classy, elegant, shy, intelligent, a puzzle.And I never could resist solving a puzzle.
Chapter Three
Emma
I stared at the table, trying to calm my nerves.I would need to get used to being around so many people.I’d managed to keep my anxiety under control at Tri-O-Tech, but it wasn’t as big as Fantasies, Inc.Even with the tricks I used to keep from freezing up in large groups, I could feel myself beginning to shut down as we made our way from the elevator to Daily Perks.By the time we got the pastries and coffee, I must’ve looked like a deer in the headlights when Asher suggested we head to the employee lounge.As soon as the door closed, the relief was almost instantaneous.A couple of deep breaths, and I could feel myself begin to decompress.
The pastries and coffee were delicious, but then, as I finished the last bits, I realized Asher had been unusually quiet.
I’m so used to being alone, I’d almost forgotten I was with anyone.I glanced up to find him watching me.I could feel the heat from the blush move from my chest to my cheeks.I blinked several times as I tried to recover from the embarrassment.
“Sorry, I was lost in thought.You know, onboarding, the software issues…”
“It’s fine.Actually, it’s refreshing to be with someone who doesn’t have to fill the silence with chatter.”He flashed a grin.
I couldn’t help but smile back.Okay, maybe this wasn’t as bad as my mind had made it out to be.The muffin was long gone, and my latte was almost empty.“Shall we get to work?”
“Sure.”He stood, grabbed his food wrapper and cup.I did the same, and after disposing of them, we made our way back to the eleventh floor.
As soon as we exited the elevator, I saw my opportunity.“I’ll be right there,” I said, motioning to the ladies’ room.
Asher nodded and continued down the hall.I ducked inside and stopped just inside the door.This was the bathroom?Marble, brass, scrolled tilework.There was a separate area with a vanity where baskets had been stuffed with tissues, napkins, and lotions.The brightly lit mirror over the vanity was perfect for detailed repair of makeup and hair.Elegant upholstered chairs finished off the space.
I turned and made my way into the main part.Six sinks and eight stalls, more marble, and brass, and each stall was designed for maximum privacy.I walked up to the closest sink and washed my hands while staring at my reflection in the mirror.
My eyes were set a little too wide, my features too closed off.I closed my eyes and did some deep breathing exercises that helped ease the feeling of being trapped, powerless, but the tension continued flowing through my body.
I needed to get used to being around a lot of people for this job.Any future promotion depended on that.Maybe it was time to see a therapist about my anxiety.
I shuddered at the memory.I’d tried therapists.Two of them.I hadn’t been able to open up to either of them.Instead, I worked alone more and more.I wasn’t kidding when I told Asher I worked late.It meant fewer people to interact with, less chance of betrayal.
Would I ever be normal?That was a question I asked myself every day.My trust had been broken too often, and I didn’t know how to overcome that.
Ugh.I shook my head and dried my hands.Take it one day at a time; that’s all I could do.
