Page 22 of Fate In Fiction

“I always thought you were the take advantage of the time you’re given type of daughter.” My father hints, unaware that Emmett knows about my father’s disgusting ways. The pads of Emmett’s fingers grip into me with anger, and as my breath hitches, Emmett laughs in an attempt to mask what he knows he’s doing to me.

“I think living together could speed things up for us.” I’m thankful for his confidence, but also brush my high heel against his ankle as a warning. “I don’t want to rush her into anything she’s not ready for, though. Josie is old enough to make her own decisions. And I’m a patient man.” Now if I don’t agree, my parents will question my effort. Shit shit shit. I can’t believe this is happening.

“What do we have to lose?” I smile as I slowly dig my heel into his ankle, and his hand lifts off my thigh.

“Wonderful news.” My father claps his hands together, a little too cheery about his daughter shacking up with a billionaire heir.

Out of my peripheral, I watch Julianne’s cheek suck in between her teeth as she fiddles with her hands. We may have a mother, but it’s always been me who got her ready for the day and made sure her hair was done nicely. Though we don’t spend much time together between her summer day camp and dance, our evenings before bed have always stayed the same.

“We will discuss the arrangements next week.” I push out my chair and glance at the clock and back to Emmett. “I’m going to call it a night.” My bag is already packed for Stella’s, and I just need the approval to leave this table.

“You said you were going home with him and spending the weekend at his place.” My father’s voice fills the room, as if he wants the staff to hear him as well.

“Of course, she is, but we will need to look over our schedules and see what moving days work best.” Emmett can thankfully sense my reluctance. “I’d like to help move her in. I’ll take a look at my free hours on Monday.” Which seems to be never.

“We should head out, Rookie.” Standing from my chair, I smirk down at Emmett. “Let me grab my car keys.”

“I’ll drive us.” His half smirk signals this conversation will not be avoided. The last thing I want right now is to be alone with him and discussing dinner, or how my body reacted to his touch.

“I’m fully capable of operating a car. Then you don’t have to drive me home on Sunday.”

“We are going to the same place.” He stands, towering over me and sporting a sly smile. “No need to pollute the air with both cars.”

Oh, it’s on.

“Pardon me? Says the man who wants to purchase a helicopter to fly around in for fun.” I stand taller, stepping into him. “Do you plan to fuel it with dreams and giggles?”

“If I find one that runs on sassiness, I know who I’ll chain to it.” Humor lights up his eyes as his hand brushes over his jaw. Is he picturing me chained up the way I am? Gosh, why does he have to be this hot?

“Josephine.” My father’s stern voice breaks our fake moment of sexual tension. “Mr. Wheaton works hard for his money. Don’t be rude.” He nods toward Emmett, as if waiting for him to put me in my place as well.

“With all due respect, Mayor Callahan,” Emmett begins, giving my nose yet another playful pinch, “I appreciate her authenticity. This woman knows how to keep me grounded.” A light laugh resonates in his chest. “My family is big on taking business seriously, but life is meant for laughing.”

“Of course,” my father agrees, which is odd for him to step down. “I just didn’t raise her to be disrespectful. Especially during a nice dinner.” Here we go.

“And what a lovely casual dinner it was. Josie knows how to put on the proper front when needed.” He winks, and I swear his eyes sparkle as he smiles down at me. “That’s one of the many things I love about her. I’m lucky to see the witty, fun side of her that remains sort of hidden from the public.”

“Look at you two,” my mother chimes with loving, delusional eyes. “So sweet and yet bickering like an old married couple.”

“Hey, the last thing I want in my life is a robotic step-ford wife.” Emmett huffs a laugh.

“That wasn’t a marriage hint,” I blurt out, unable to mask my worried tone.

“No, no. Just an expression.” Emmett goes along, worried about what else he’ll get suckered into doing. “For now, anyway.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head, sealing the deal with my parents without another word. “You ready to go, Jojo?”

I nod and walk over to my sister, who hasn’t spoken a word the entire dinner. Her pleading eyes sink my heart, but one day she’ll realize that I am doing this for her too. “We’ll talk Monday, alright?” I bend, giving her cheek a kiss.

“Have fun, Jo.” She tries to mean it. With my getaway bag slung over Emmett’s shoulder, we head down the steps to his car.

Emmett’s arm reaches out, and his hand laces with mine. The car is still relatively distant, given our large circular driveway. We already said goodbye to my parents, so what’s the need for more touching? I almost unweave our hands, until I see Hanson climb out of Emmett’s car with a smile. Oh, we’re still on. I smile extra sweet, though I’m fuming from everything that happened at dinner. I’ve been well trained to hold it together, and right now, it’s really being put to the test.

“Thank you, Hanson,” Emmett calls out as he makes his way toward us.

“My pleasure.” He nods, and as we approach the car, Emmett tugs my arm, pulling me closer. The unexpectedness throws me off.

“Wh––” I say, tilting my head to look up at Emmett, but only a second later, his lips press onto mine.

I redirect my gasp with a sharp inhale through my nose. Holy crap, why is my stomach hosting a cage full of butterflies? Our lips aren’t even moving. But his are soft. Really soft, and remain pressed to mine.