Chapter 2

On Monday morning, the office coffee machine buzzed loudly. I stared at my computer screen, my fingers moving mechanically over the keyboard. I'd been up until three in the morning at Brian's place, working on a proposal, and now my temples throbbed with pain.

"Emma, Brian wants you in his office." Our intern, Emily Smith, poked her head in, her eyes dancing with gossip. "Word is, you're taking the big Lane Group's project."

My hand froze midway to my coffee cup. The Lane Group belonged to the family of the girl Edward was matched with.

I pushed open Brian's office door. He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, with his back to me. Sunlight spilled over his shoulders and outlined his tall, straight figure.

"Hey Brian, you called for me?" I said.

He turned around, his eyes crinkling behind his gold-rimmed glasses. "You did a great job on the proposal last night," he said, sliding a file across the desk. "The Lane Group's new book launch is drawing near, and they personally requested you to take the lead."

I opened the file, and the first page read: "Project Contact: Charlotte Lane."

My coffee cup nearly slipped from my hand, but Brian caught my wrist just in time. "What's wrong? You look pale," he said.

"I'm fine." I forced a faint smile. "Just a little tired."

"If it's too much for you..." Brian offered.

"No, I'll take it," I replied, shutting the file. "When does it begin?"

Brian studied me for a moment and then said, "Ms. Lane will be here at three this afternoon for the meeting."

I nodded and turned to leave, but Brian called out, "Emma, are you and Edward... okay?"

His question hit me like a knife to the chest. I took a deep breath. "We broke up."

Brian's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "If you need anything, just let me know."

At 2:50 PM, I was in the conference room, double-checking the projector. As the door swung open, I reflexively put on a professional smile, only to freeze when I saw who was coming in.

Edward walked in wearing a sharply tailored dark blue suit, arm in arm with Charlotte. She had on a beige dress, her long, straight hair draped over her shoulders, and she looked demure and sweet.

Charlotte tilted her head, eyeing me curiously. "Ms. Young, have we met before?"

Edward's gaze sliced across my face, cold as ever. "She's my—"

"I'm the project lead, Emma Young," I cut him off, reaching out firmly. "Please, have a seat."

Charlotte covered her mouth as if suddenly realizing something. "Oh, you're the 'childhood friend' Edward always mentions, right?" She put extra emphasis on those two words, her eyes crinkling. "He says you are like a younger sister to him."

My nails pressed sharply into my palm. The guy who was in my bed just last week was now calling me his sister? That was ridiculous.

"Ms. Lane, I'm afraid you've misunderstood," I said calmly, turning on the projector. "We're just friends."

Edward gave a cold laugh. "What kinds of friends would—"

"Mr. Foster," I said, meeting his eyes directly, "shall we begin the presentation?"

Edward's eyes stayed glued to me the whole time, cold and intense. I forced myself to sound professional, focusing on the screen as I walked them through every single detail.

"Ms. Young, you're so professional," Charlotte chimed in, resting her chin on her hand, playing all sweet and naive. "No wonder Edward keeps telling me how great you are at work."

Suddenly, she turned to Edward. "Hey, since we're having dinner at your place this weekend, how about letting Ms. Young join us?"

The room went dead silent.

"She won't be there," Edward finally said, his tone like ice.

"Why not?" Charlotte asked, batting her lashes. "Aren't you two super close?"

"Because we're just like siblings—just as you said, Ms. Lane," I replied, snapping my laptop shut with a flawless smile.

Edward's face turned stone cold in an instant.

After the meeting, Charlotte headed to the restroom, leaving me alone with Edward in the conference room. Without warning, he seized my wrist. "What the hell was that supposed to mean?" he demanded.

"Mr. Foster, please behave yourself," I said coldly, pulling free from his grip. "We're at work."

"Work, huh?" He curled his lips in a mocking sneer. "You're really playing the part like a pro. So, where were you last night? Why didn't you come home?"

I almost snorted at how absurd he was being. "Edward, have you forgotten we already broke up?"

"I never agreed to that," he muttered, his voice low and full of that familiar arrogance. "Throw your tantrum all you want, but when you're done, just come back. I'll pretend you never said any of it."

"Mr. Foster," I said coolly, taking my time with the files, "need me to jog your memory? You're the one who said we were just friends who hooked up a few times."

His face froze. "Emma..."

"Also," I looked up at him and added, "kindly remind Ms. Lane that punctuality matters. She was fifteen minutes late today and held up the whole team."

Edward's eyes went sharp. "You sound jealous."

I actually laughed. "Mr. Foster, trust me. I'm not interested at all in someone else's fiancé."

Edward almost yelled, "Who said I'm marrying her?"

"Edward?" Charlotte's voice drifted in from the doorway. "What's going on?"

Edward took a deep breath, and by the time he turned around, he was all calm again. "Nothing," he said, slipping his arm around Charlotte's waist. "Come on, let's go get some food."

Charlotte flashed me a sweet smile. "Ms. Young, want to join us?"

"No, thanks. I've got work to do," I replied with a smile. "Hope you two enjoy your meal."

After they left, I slumped back in my chair, and only then did I realize that my shirt was soaked through with sweat. My phone buzzed. Sophia was texting me.

Sophia: [Emma, why don't you come over for dinner this weekend? Just the two of us. Edward won't be there.]

I hesitated for a moment before replying: [Sure. I'll be there.]

Just as I put my phone down, Brian came in. "You hanging in there?" he asked.

I shook my head, suddenly feeling completely drained.

"There's an industry party tonight," he said, handing me an invite. "The Lane Group will be there, too. If you're not feeling up for it, I can cover for you."

"I'll go," I said, taking the invitation. "Work calls."

Brian let out a sigh and suddenly reached out to ruffle my hair. "Don't push yourself too hard."

That gesture was so familiar that it made my eyes prickle. Edward used to mess up my hair the same way, flashing that soft, teasing smile and calling me "silly girl."

The party was held on the top floor of the Pearl Grand Hotel. I slipped into a black dress and swept my hair up into a neat bun. Brian was waiting for me at the entrance, and when saw me, he was visibly caught off guard.

"What's wrong?" I asked, glancing down at myself. "Do I look weird?"

"No," he said, clearing his throat. "You look beautiful."

The party was in full swing, glasses clinking all around. I drifted through the crowd with my glass, fake-smiling at small talk, until I caught sight of that all-too-familiar silhouette on the terrace—Edward stood with his back to me, Charlotte glued to his side, whispering in his ear.

I started to turn away, but then Charlotte raised her voice, making sure I could hear. "Emma Young's obviously got a thing for you. Don't tell me you've even hooked up with her."

I froze in my tracks.

"Don't talk nonsense." Edward's words came out slurred, his tone unmistakably drunk. "She's just my little tagalong. She's been hanging onto me since we were kids."

"Seriously?" Charlotte giggled, all sweetness. "Then why did she give you that look, like an abandoned puppy?"

"She can't live without me," Edward sneered. "I'll just give her a few days, and she'll come crawling right back."

The champagne glass slipped out of my hand and shattered against the floor, the sound ringing out sharp and clear.

They both whipped around, and Edward's face went ghostly pale. "Emma..."

"Sorry for disturbing you," I replied coolly, already turning away to leave.

Edward lunged forward and grabbed my arm. "Emma, let me explain..."

"Don't bother," I said, yanking my arm free. "You know what, Mr. Foster? You're absolutely right. I was just your clingy tagalong." Then I threw Charlotte a bright, almost mocking smile. "But that stops right now."

Edward's eyes flashed with sudden panic. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Take it literally," I replied, stepping back. "Congrats. You two make a perfect match."

Without another word, I headed for the ballroom, not once looking back. He called my name, but I didn't even flinch.

Brian seemed to materialize by my side, handing me a glass of warm water. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.

"I'm fine," I said, grabbing the glass, even though my hand was shaking so much that it was almost embarrassing. "Never better."

He stayed silent for a moment and then said, "I'm taking you home."

"You don't have to..." I murmured.

"That's not a request," he said, his hand gentle but firm on my shoulder. "Just listen to me."

In the car, Brian turned on the heater. I gazed out at the blur of lights streaming past the window and suddenly broke the silence. "Hey Brian, remember that upperclassman in college who used to have a crush on me?"

"Yeah," he replied, keeping his eyes on the road. "You told him dating wasn't for you, that you wanted to wait for someone special."

I let out a bitter laugh. "He came to me, and turns out, I was just a joke."

The red light glowed and the car rolled to a gentle stop. Brian glanced over at me. "Emma, some people are worth waiting for, and some really aren't."

"I know," I murmured, closing my eyes. "That's why I'm done waiting now."

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was Edward calling. I hit decline without a second thought.

Brian's lips lifted in a barely-there smile. "Starting tomorrow, I'll personally handle the Lane Group's project for you."

"Why?" I asked, a little surprised.

"Because..." he said gently, "seeing you like this breaks my heart."

At that moment, I suddenly wanted to cry. So that was what it really felt like to have someone genuinely caring about me.

Edward, however, had never really done it.