Page 49 of Fate In Fiction

“I have a spa appointment, or I’d attend too.” Stella shoves a large bite of her salad into her mouth, but then her brown eyes bulge, reaching for a napkin.

“Hey, ladies.” Emmett walks up to the table in his fitted suit, causing me to forget how to swallow.

“This is a nice surprise.” I look up at him with a smile.

“I needed to stretch my legs, and figured I’d grab a cocktail to go.” He winks and brings his fingers to his lips to keep a secret.

“Would you like to join us?” Stella pats the empty chair next to her.

“Rain check.” Emmett kindly declines and his eyes land on Emery.

“This is Emery,” I say, holding appreciation in my voice. “The chef.”

“Aren’t you full of magic?” He holds out his hand. “Emmett. Thank you for taking Josie under your wing. Her dish was incredible.”

“Emery is incredible.” I smile in agreeance.

“That she is.” Clyde walks over to the table with a paper cup.

“Don’t make this awkward.” Emery gathers her dark auburn hair and begins to put it into a bun.

“Hey, I’m not the reason you’re sleeping around.” He refers to her terrible breakup last year. “I just aid in your service.”

“Consider last time the last.” Emery looks up at Emmett, who blinks, unsure of what to do. “Can you fire him?”

“Not unless you’re a staff member.” Emmett shrugs. “Even then, not exactly grounds for termination.” He looks at me for help.

“You and Josie should come to San Diego with us this weekend.” Stella catches our attention. “Criselda Myers is on set and mentioned she knows you from partying on the water last summer.”

The table falls silent. Emmett holds her eyes, as if telepathically sending her a message. Taking a sip of his discrete cocktail in a to-go cup, his normal charming grin is replaced with a tight smirk.

“Your comment makes it loud and clear that you obviously know what I know about that summer of yachting and booze.” His pause silences our table once again, and my gut churns at where this is going. “The question is, why are you trying to throw shade at your best friend to stir shit up?” Stella goes to reply, but he lifts his hand, and she promptly quiets. “One, you’re either jealous of the way she has flipped my entire world for the better, or two, you’re that much of an insecure bitch. You’re beautiful. That’s no secret, Stella. But if your actions don’t change, you’ll always be the woman who is attractive until she opens her mouth. That will only get you so far in life.”

Emery rolls her lips, fighting the urge to say what we both have been thinking. About time she’s been put in her place.

“Josie, if you don’t marry him, I’m gonna fight like hell until he asks me.” Emery fans herself and looks up at Emmett. “Talk about sticking up for your woman!”

“Everyone needs to chill.” I shake my head and glance up at Emmett. “You should go back to your office. You’ve taken a decent break.” He smiles at the table, kisses my head, and I let him walk away, unsure if I am mad or not about how he just spoke to Stella. The last thing I need is his temporary ass to drive a wedge in between my best friend and me. Even if she is a bitch half the time.

“Well, that was bold.” Stella scoffs and downs her drink.

“But not wrong.” I raise my eyebrows and drop the conversation.

We finish lunch with little talk about before Emery and I head to my next work destination. Sitting in my car, my brain goes over lunch as my phone buzzes for the third time. My group hasn’t arrived, so I pull out my phone, wondering if Stella is about to send a whole monologue about being offended.

Rookie:

Does Stella hate me?

Rookie:

Not that I care much, but I know she’s your friend.

Rookie:

I’m acting like you, sending a bunch of texts, hoping you’re not mad at me.

I giggle to myself as Emery shoots me a smile.