“Interesting. Are you ok with the Emma/Luke thing?”
He thought about it. “Yes,” he started. “What happened with Julie, that’s in the past and I’ve long since forgiven him. And I know he’s got his own crap to work through. Hell,” he shook his head again and sipped his coffee. “Maybe they’ll even be able to help each other.”
“I think it’s romantic,” she said, rummaging through the fridge for a snack. She’d gained forty pounds with the pregnancy already, but she seemed to be constantly hungry.
“You would,” Nate said. “Sit down, I’ll get you something.” He kissed the top of her head and gestured toward the living room.
Emma came downstairs half an hour later dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops. Her hair hung in a ponytail and she wore no makeup besides lip gloss and mascara. Her eyes were still rimmed with pink, but she felt better. Like she was doing the right thing for the first time in a long time. Or at least starting to by talking to Nate again.
“Hey,” she said, turning the corner into the living room.
“Hey,” Nate answered, standing. She could see he had much more to say, but Celia’s hand on his arm checked his words.
“I’m starving! Let’s go,” Celia stood and, hooking her arm through Emma’s, headed toward the front door. “You coming, Nate? We need someone to pick up the bill.”
They both smiled and looked over at him.
“All I’m good for,” Nate joked and led the way.
Nate and Celia lived a few blocks from a busy shopping street in the heart of Miami. Apparently they frequented this little pizzeria because as soon as they walked in, a man who introduced himself as Giacomo greeted them loudly with hugs for Celia and handshakes and back patting for Nate. They introduced Emma and the three of them sat down.
“The usual?” Giacomo asked.
“Yes, but double the order, will you? My sister can eat from what I can remember,” Celia said, winking at Emma.
“You have an excellent memory, my dear,” Emma replied. Celia had always treated Emma more like a sister than a sister-in-law. It was warm and authentic, two qualities that endeared Emma to Celia in a way she didn’t have with anyone else.
“So,” Nate began. “How are you?”
“I’ve been better,” Emma answered. “But I’ve also been worse,” she said.
“Listen, Em,” Nate said. His using the abbreviated version of her name made her soften. He used to call her that when they were growing up. “I’m not going to apologize for wanting to protect you…”
She opened her mouth, but he put a hand up.
“Hear me out.”
“Ok,” she said.
“But I promise to try to not be so…”
“Bossy?” Emma filled in.
“Overbearing?” Celia added.
He glared at them. “Protective.”
Celia smiled, mouthing an apology.
“I just want to make sure you’re ok and I don’t think you are,” Nate continued. “I think you need to talk to someone about…what happened,” he said. “The disappearing has to stop. Now. And you’ve got to get your act together before you get hurt again. Luke told me about the guy…”
“What guy? And why did you tell Luke? I didn’t realize you were so close that you could trust him with your sister’s ugly little secret.” Anger flared again at the thought, but shame was on its heels.
“Hold on, Emma,” Celia interjected. “Let’s stay focused. I won’t have fighting; the baby gets crazy when he hears it.”
“Sorry,” Emma said, glaring at Nate. “Why did you tell him and exactly how much does he know?” she asked, trying hard to keep her voice level.
“Let’s back up for a minute,” Nate said. “Do you know how worried we’ve been about you for the last two months?” Now he was the one who raised his voice.
“I’m sorry about that. I should have called, and I’m truly sorry for making you both worry.”
“Apology accepted,” Celia said, gesturing for Nate to do the same. “Let’s try to move forward, not back.”
Nate nodded.
“I plan to stay in Miami, provided certain conditions are met.”
Nate’s face relaxed for the first time since she’d seen him. The food arrived as if on cue: two huge thin-crust pizzas and salads all around. Nate took a slice, watching her all along. Taking a bite, he smiled. “What are your conditions?”
“I need you to release my money to me,” she started.
“I’ll give you what you need.”