Page 50 of Ten Christmases Without You
“You’re going to have coffee with a billionaire.”
Only then did the panic set in.
The mysteryof Mitchell Augustine was still on her mind as she zipped up the deep-green Garnet & Petticoat gown. She felt uneasy wearing it now that Charlie had come with a date. Would he recognize it? Had the shopkeeper sent him a photo or anything when he’d bought it? Until she’d seen him with Amelia, Emmy had been excited to finally have a chance to wear it. But now, would it send a message that she didn’t want to convey?She dared not imply that it had some kind of sentimental value, that she’d chosen to wear it because Charlie would be there. If only she’d packed a random dress with no story at all.
She slipped on her heels and stepped out of the bathroom.
“Wowzer,” Madison said. “You look incredible.”
Emmy tugged on the dress uncomfortably and smiled for her sister’s benefit. Instead of focusing on her own discomfort, she concentrated on her sister’s navy-blue cocktail-style dress. “That’s really pretty too.” She waggled a finger at her sister.
“Thanks. I got it just for this.”
They walked down to the lobby and boarded the hired shuttle to the venue. Madison took the first open seat and Emmy sat beside her, crossing her ankles, her mother’s beaded clutch in her hands.
Madison turned toward Emmy. “I forgot to ask: What did you get Adrienne?”
People filed onto the bus, taking seats around them.
“I got the cutlery set that was on her registry. I had it shipped to her. What did you get?” She asked the question, but her attention was on the other passengers. Maybe she could get to the wedding and find a seat closest to the exit, so when they moved to the reception, she could get in and order a drink to settle her nerves before Charlie and Amelia came in. It was silly to be anxious about them, but she couldn’t make her stomach and jittery hands understand.
“I did the same thing, but I got her sheets. They were on sale.”
When the shuttle finally pulled away, Emmy’s tension eased. Charlie and Amelia hadn’t made that run. She’d managed to avoid a twenty-minute trip in close quarters. She relaxed against the back of the seat.
“You okay?” Madison asked.
“I’m totally fine, why?”
“You look like you’re on edge.” Madison squinted at Emmy. “Is it Charlie?”
“Why would you think that?” she asked, hoping her burning cheeks weren’t showing on the outside.
“Because that would be the only plausible reason your shoulders are up near your earlobes.”
“His date, Amelia, seems like she has it all together, and I don’t.”
Her sister nodded thoughtfully.
“But it isn’t really about Amelia,” Emmy said. Might as well lay it all out if she was being honest. “Good for her if she has her life sorted out. It’s my own insecurity. I haven’t said anything to anyone—even myself—but I’m tired of working two jobs and getting nowhere. It’s exhausting.”
“Then make a change.”
Emmy leaned her head back against the seat. “It’s easier said than done.”
“I’m going to ask again: Do youhaveto live in New York City? It’s so expensive. You’ve been there long enough to know that living in that apartment isn’t getting you any further. Maybe try something more suburban? You could move to a smaller city, get your foot in the door with a startup PR firm or something.”
“You’re probably right.” Emmy sighed. “I just didn’t want to settle. I wanted to shoot for the stars, but I keep missing.”
“Don’t think of moving to a smaller city as settling. It’s a step. Take one step at a time and see where it leads. Maybe, after you’ve worked those other jobs, you’ll land something big.”
“You’re so sensible. I get in my own way, it seems.”
“Because you’re a visionary at heart. You want the dream. I, on the other hand, am the queen of tiny steps. I don’t know how to shoot for the stars the way you and Mom do.”
“Don’t worry. You’re not missing much,” she teased.
“I’ll bet you’re the queen of latte art, though.”
