with the job boss. I'll be in the office in a couple hours. No problem."
He flipped the phone closed, scanned the flats of plants. "Don't you have enough flowers?"
"Never. I wanted to plug in some more annuals here in front. It makes a nice show from the event areas."
He crouched, kissed her. "You make a nice show. I figured you'd be working inside."
"I couldn't resist, and this won't take long. I'll put in an extra hour at the end of the day if I need to."
"Busy after the end of the day?"
She cocked her head, slanted him a killer look from under the brim of her hat. "That depends on the offer."
"How about we go into New York for dinner? Someplace where the waiters are snobs, the food's overpriced, and you look so beautiful I don't notice either."
"I'm definitely not busy at the end of the day."
"Good. I'll pick you up about seven."
"I'll be ready. And since you're here." She wrapped her arms around his neck, and took his mouth in a deep, dreamy kiss. "That should hold you," she murmured.
"Pack a bag."
"What?"
"Pack what you need for overnight and we'll get a hotel suite in New York. Make a night of it."
"Really?" She did a quick dance in place. "Give me ten seconds and I'll pack right now."
"Then we're on."
"I have to be back early, but - "
"So do I." This time he kissed her, catching her face with his hands, drawing it out. "That should hold you
. Seven," he said, and rose.
Pleased with his idea and her reaction, he drew his phone out as he walked to his truck, and got his assistant busy making reservations.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"I TOLD HIM I COULD PACK IN TEN SECONDS. I'M SUCH A LIAR." With the workday scrubbed off and every inch of her creamed and scented, Emma folded a shirt into her overnight case.
"Obviously the coming home clothes aren't a real issue, but . . ."
She turned, held up a silky white gown for Parker's opinion. "What do you think?"
"It's gorgeous." Stepping forward, Parker brushed a finger over the delicate lace that framed the bodice.
"When did you get this?"
"Last winter. I couldn't resist it, and I told myself I'd wear it just for me, whenever. Of course, I didn't. Haven't. It has this little matching robe. I love lush hotel robes, but this is romantic. I feel like I want to have something romantic to put on after dinner."
"Then it's perfect."
"I don't even know where we're going, where we're staying. I love that. Love the feeling of being whisked away." She did a quick spin then laid the peignoir in her bag. "I want champagne and candlelight, and some ridiculously indulgent dessert. And I want him to look at me in the candlelight and tell me he loves me. I can't help it."
"Why should you?"
"Because it should be enough to be whisked away, to be with a man who'd plan a night like this. He makes me happy. That should be enough."
As Emma continued to pack, Parker stepped forward to rub her shoulders. "It's not as if you're setting limits for yourself, Emma. If you feel you have to."
"I'm not doing that. I don't think I'm doing that. I know I've had some ups and downs about this, so I'm trying to adjust my expectations. And do what I said I'd do when we started." Reaching back, she laid her hand on Parker's, squeezed. "Just enjoy and take things as they come. I've been in love with him for so long, but that's my deal. In reality we've only been together a couple of months. There's no rush."
"Emma, as long as I've known you - which is forever - you've never been afraid to say how you feel. Why are you afraid to tell Jack?"
Emma closed her case. "If he's not ready, and telling him made him feel obliged to step back, to just be friends again? I don't think I could stand it, Parker." She turned, faced her friend. "I guess I'm not ready to risk what we have. Not yet. So I'm going to enjoy our night away, and not put any added weight on it.
"God, I've got to get dressed. Okay, I'll be back by eight, eight thirty at the latest. But if for some reason we get stuck in traffic - "
"I'll call Tink, force her to get out of bed. I know how. She'll take the morning delivery and start processing."
"Good." Confident in Parker's abilities, Emma wiggled