| Chapter 6 Angela found her the next day, sitting alone in the break room. “So, be honest...wasn’t Andrew a sweetheart?” “Yeah, he really was,” she agreed. “I promised myself I wouldn’t ask.....but what the heck....did you kiss him goodnight?” “Did she kiss who goodnight?” Angela turned and laughed. “As always your timing is perfect.” “Never mind about my timing. Who is Emma kissing?” “I’m not kissing anyone,” she said, trying to change the subject. Judi turned to Angela. “Come on girl....spill it. Who’s she kissing?” Angela snuck a quick glance at Emma. “Andrew Martin,” she said quickly. “Ohhhh, you lucky girl. He’s gorgeous.” “Don’t let Mark hear you say that,” Angela said. “Oh he knows my heart belongs to him. But hell....I”m not blind you know.” “I think I’m going back to my desk,” said Emma, rising from her chair. “Oh no you don’t. Not yet.I want details. Was this another fix-up from Angela the matchmaker?” “It sure was,” Angela said with a grin. Judi turned to Emma. “Angela was the one who introduced me to Mark. She’s got a real knack for getting people together.” Emma stod up quickly. “Look...it was just dinner, It’s not like we pledged eternal love. I’ll see you guys later.” She walked out the door. Leaving a stunned Judi and a very sympathetic Angela sitting there. She was trying to get lost in her work when she heard his office door open. “Excuse me, Emma. If you aren’t busy..could I talk to you for a second?” She felt her heart skip a beat when he said her name. He stood aside to let her walk past. “Please sit down,’ he said, indicating a nearby chair. “I wanted to apologize for last night. I’m not as bad with names as Marissa says I am. I’m sorry if it bothered you.” “Don’t even mention it,” she said, determined not to let the conversation get personal. “Ever since we started the site it’s been a sea of new faces for me. I mean I see you everyday...but sometimes you don’t really see people....they’re just part of the office.” “Like the furniture?” she asked. “I guess,” he said with a laugh. “I think I liked it better when you didn’t know who I was,” she said, heading for the door. “Hey, I didn’t mean it that way,” he said. “Mr. McMahon, please don’t worry about it.” She walked back to her desk, trying to hold back the tears. “So I’m a nameless piece of furniture? Well at least I know where I stand.” Chapter 7 Later that afternoon she and Judi were putting the finshing touches on a new section of the site. “Now that looks good,” Judi said proudly. “I think Shane wil really like this.” “As if it matters,” Emma mumbled. “Honey...what is it?” she asked. “It’s nothing,” she sighed. “Just one of those days.” “How would you feel about going out with Mark and me this Friday?” she asked. “You can give Andrew a call.” “I don’t know,” she said hesitantly. “Oh, I see..you’d rather say home and mope?” “No it isn’t that.” “Honey..nobody is suggesting that you make a lifetime commitment to this guy. But maybe where Shane is concerned you just have to face the truth.” “Don’t you think I’ve already done that?” she asked. “The man barely knows I exist.” “Then more reason for you to wake up and see what else is available out there.” “You mean like Andrew?” “He’s as good a place to start as any, isn’t he?” “I suppose you’re right,” Emma said with resignation. “What were you and Mark planning on doing?” “Nothing special. Grab a quick bite...maybe see a movie. He’s not exactly what you’d call a party animal.” “That sounds ok. Maybe I will give Andrew a call.” “That’s my girl.” she said. By the time Friday rolled around, Emma was feeling better about things. She had pretty much managed to avoid having anything to do with Shane. He had been busy with meetings most of the week, so he hadn’t been in his office much. It was late Friday afternoon when she finally saw him. She was busy clearing off her desk when she looked up and saw him approaching. “Heading out?” he asked. She looked up and nodded. “Any special plans for the weekend?” “Nothing much,” she said, grabbing her purse. “I’ll see you on Monday,” she said, heading for the door. “Sure thing,’ he replied. “Good night Emma.” She turned to look at him. He grinned at her boyishly. “Is that better?” he asked. “Yes..thank you,” she said. She got into the elevator, the smile he had given her burned into her brain. “Great,” she thought. “Just when I was starting to believe there could be life without Shane McMahon....you show me just how wrong I am.” Chapter 8 She was still hunting for her other shoe when the doorbell rang. She glanced up at the clock, just a little annoyed. “You couldn’t be just five minutes late?” she thought. She went to the door and opened it. He stood there smiling and for a second she forgot that she was less than happy. “Is it me or are you tilting?” he laughed. He looked down at her feet and back up at. “Planning to hop all night?” “Angela never told me how funny you were,” she said, moving to let him in. “I’ll be right back,” she said, heading off to resume her shoe hunt. She came back several minutes later, wearing two shoes. “That’s much better,’ he said, leaning down to kiss her lightly. “How was work today?” “Well we managed to stay online all day,” she said with a laugh. “Shane must have been happy,” he offered. “Yeah, I suppose,” she said. Andrew noticed the change in her attitude when Shane’s name was mentioned. “Do you and Shane get along?”he asked. “Yeah...why do you ask?” “Oh, no reason. He’s a real nice guy...I wondered what he was like in the office.” “He’s fine. Actually he isn’t there all that much.” They had planned to meet Judi and Mark at a local steak house. When they entered it wasn’t hard to find them. Mark towered over the people around him. When she and Andrew walked up, the looks on the faces around them were priceless. “Does it ever bother you to be stared at like that?” Emma asked Mark. “Not really. People tend to keep their distance. I mean, I don’t mind being recognized but I like my private time too.” he said, bending to kiss Judi’s cheek. “You old softie,’ she teased. “Watch it woman..I have a reputation you know.” Judi smiled as she watched how sweet and attentive Andrew was to Emma. “You could do a lot worse, sweetie,” she thought.They sat and talked and ate, the women teasing the men unmercifully about the amount of food they consumed. “Quite a few cows gave up their lives for this meal,” Judi said with a laugh. “All in a good cause,” said Mark. “I thought you liked your men.....big?” Judi raised her eyebrows and smiled at him. “If you think I’m even touching that line, think again.” Mark leaned over to kiss her. Emma looked over and smiled at the two of them. She would have given almost anything to have the kind of relationship that Mark and Judi had. They just seemed like they belonged together. She looked up to see Andrew smiling at her. “Would you like some more wine?” he asked her. “Sure,” she said with a smile. She studied him as he poured the wine into her glass. “Judi is right,” she thought. “I could do a lot worse than him. And he does have one thing over Shane....he’s here...and he hasn’t forgotten my name once.” When they had finished eating they debated for several minutes over which movie to see. Judi and Emma wanted to see the latest love story. Mark and Andrew opted for the latest Arnold Swarzenegger film. “Oh goody,” said Judi, “explosions and bodies flying around.” “Just like work,” laughed Mark. They finally compromised and settled on a new comedy. Twenty minutes into it, both women regretted their choice.Mark and Andrew were laughing louder than anyone...drawing some exasperated looks from the people around them. Fortunately, when the other movie goers got a good look at the size of the two of them they thought twice about asking them to keep it down. When the movie was over, they walked out together. “That was a good movie,” Mark said, draping a huge arm around Judi’s shoulder. “Did you like it?” he asked her. “What I could hear of it,” she teased. “Come on grumpy...I’m going to take you home.” She turned to Andrew and Emma. “I’ll see you on Monday,” she said witha laugh as she and Mark walked off. She turned to Andrew and smiled. He took her by the hand and they walked slowly to his car. When he pulled up in front of her place she glanced over at him. “Would you like to come in for some coffee?” she asked.“Sure,” he said, turning off the engine. He sat on one of her kitchen stools, telling her some funny stories about Mark and watching her. She walked over and placed a cup of coffee in front of him. Before she could turn away, he took her hand gently. She looked into his eyes questioningly. Gently he pulled her close, kissing her tenderly. His mouth was soft and warm. It was the kind of kiss that normally would have made any woman weak in the knees. Instead..she felt nothing. Andrew leaned back and looked at her. He knew exactly what she was feeling. “I’m sorry,” she said, in a whisper. “Don’t be,” he said, rising from his chair. “Where are you going?” she asked. He looked back at her. “Emma..I like you.. a lot. But as long as you’re in love with someone else there isn’t much point in me coming around is there?’ “Andrew, I don’t understand....” He smiled and shook his head. “I saw how you looked at Shane the other night.” She blushed and lowered her eyes. “Just do yourself a favor. Don’t make it a habit of passing up every chance you get at happiness, waiting for him.” She followed him to the door and he kissed her cheek softly. “Be happy Emma,” he said, walking out the door. She stood there, tears filling her eyes. “I don’t think I know how to be happy,” she thought. Chapter 9 She was sitting at her desk the next morning, staring at the work in front of her. “I think you actually have to pick the pen up,” he said. She turned to see Shane, standing there smiling at her.” She quickly looked down at her desk. “Oh, yeah...right.” “Is everything ok?” he asked. “Everything is fine..why?” “Oh, I don’t know. You just seem distracted.” “Not at all,” she said, busying herself with her work.” He glanced back at her before he went into his office.She let out a sigh when the door closed. “Life stinks,” she thought. She had finally managed to make a dent in her work when Judi came by. “Lunch time,” she said brightly. “I’m not hungry,” Emma said quietly. “I didn’t ask if you were hungry,” she said. “I have a lot of work to get through here.” “And it will still be there when you get back,” Judi said. “You aren’t going to leave me alone..are you?” Emma asked. “No...I’m not,” Judi replied with a wicked grin.” Emma grabbed her purse. “Let’s go,” she said. “I know when I’m beaten.” They sat together in the lunch room. Judi was telling her a story about Mark. “Of course it would have been much nicer if he hadn’t chokeslammed me at the end.” Emma looked up. “What did you say? Who got chokeslammed?” Judi laughed out loud. “I knew you weren’t listening. Thinking about Andrew?” “Not any more,” she said quietly.” “Oh no,” Judi said. “What happened?” “Nothing happened....as in absolutely nothing.” Judi looked at her quizzically. “Ok, if you must know...he kissed me.” “And?” “And, nothing. There were no sparks, no skyrockets.....nothing. And he knew it.” “Oh honey, I’m sorry.” Emma laughed softly. “Oh it gets better. He knows how I feel about Shane.” “He does? But how?” “Don’t ask me,”Emma said. “But he didn’t think he and I should be seeing each other while I have feelings for Shane.” “Are you ok?” Judi asked, taking her hand. “I just think it’s almost funny,” she said. “Everyone knows how I feel about Shane...except Shane.” “What are you going to do?” asked Judi. Emma looked up at her friend. “I’m going to quit.” “What do you mean quit?” “I mean leave..find another job.” “You can’t do that. That’s crazy. Just because of one man?” Emma leaned forward and looked into Judi’s eyes. “How do you feel about Mark?” she asked. “What kind of question is that? You know how I feel about him. I love him.” And how would you feel if he didn’t even know you existed? Would you still want to be around him everyday? Would you want to see him with other women?” Judi lowered her eyes. “I didn’t think so.” “I really wish you would give this some more thought,” Judi pleaded. “I haven’t thought about anything else since last night. I’ll probably give my notice tomorrow.” Chapter 10 She spent the rest of the afternoon concentrating on her work. On a couple of occasions she had to bring some papers to Shane. Both times, she simply left the papers without saying a word. The second time he stopped her before she got out the door. “Emma?” She turned to look at him. “Are you upset with me?” The look of real concern in his eyes, touched her.” “No, Mr. McMahon.” He laughed softly. “I really would prefer it if you would call me Shane. My father is Mr.McMahon.” She laughed along with him. “You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you what a great job you’ve been doing. Angela was right about you.’ “Thanks,’ she said quietly. “Do you like working here?” “Yeah, I do. Everyone has been really nice.” “Even the boss?” he teased. “Yes, even the boss,” she said, walking out the door. She sat at her desk and put her head in her hands. “Thanks a lot Shane,” she thought. “Things would have been a whole lot easier if you had just forgotten my name again.” She cleared her desk off and looked up at the clock. “I still have a few minutes,’ she thought. She took out a pad and pen and began to write her letter of resignation. Three times she started it..and three times she crumpled the paper and threw it away. “Why can’t I do this?” she thought? “A psychologist would have a field day with me.” She sighed and put the pad back in her desk. “Maybe I’ll be better off waiting until morning.” She slipped on her coat and grabbed her purse. When she stepped out of the elevator into the underground parking area, she was immediately struck by how much the temperature had dropped. “Welcome to another glorious New England winter,’ she thought. She quickly got into her car. She turned the key and felt her stomach drop. She turned it again. “Oh damn..it can’t be,’ she thought. She tried once more, already knowing what would happen. She got out of the car and kicked at the tire. “I don’t believe this,” she said. “Now what do I do?” She took a deep breath and headed for the elevator. She stood tapping her foot impatiently, trying to figure out why she seemed to have absolutely no luck lately. The door finally slid open and she almost ran directly into Shane. |