ever seen Eric to acting like a teenager, and it was kind of adorable.
8:00 We hugged it out. I can't believe I have my big brother back. Seeing him here in the city makes it so much more real.
8:05 Did I forget to thank you, again, for helping make this happen?
11:00 On our way to meet Mum for lunch. I don't know if she told Dad yet.
1:30 She did. And Owen and her have been holding onto each other ever since we got here. I might start getting jealous ;)
1:35 Will you be around tomorrow? Rey is arriving in the afternoon. I want you to be there. Please.
1:40 Early evening. And thank you. I know I am asking a lot — it's not going to be pretty. But with you and Rey, I think we can do it.
1:48 You don't know what it means to me for you to be there tomorrow. I love you.
That last one gave Emmy food for thought. It was clear when they'd all met in San Diego that both brothers wanted to include her and Rey in the process, but she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was just because Owen needed his boyfriend with him to face his bigoted dad, and Eric was just following suit. This, though, felt like much more. Something closer to protection, her presence bolstering Eric, to help him stand up to the senator. A shield in front of the bully. She could totally get on board that.
"You'll tell me everything, right?" Anna pressed her when the time came to say goodbye. "I'm desperate to hear how the meeting goes with the Senator. I never had any worries about the mom. I can't imagine what it must have been like for her for the past, what, fifteen years?"
"Seventeen. He was only just 18 when he left."
"My God," Anna said softly, "Imagine not seeing your mom for 17 years, and then meeting her again. I couldn't do it."
"Imagine being the mom."
"Don't even. So you will tell me all about it?"
"Assuming I survive — I think it's going to be very tense. Eric is scared shitless."
"Really, he admitted to it? I didn't think he was the type."
Emmy shook her head.
"No. But the way he talks about it on the phone, or doesn't, I'm pretty sure he's terrified."
They hugged, tight, Emmy tucking her chin under Anna's shoulder, relishing the embrace. They hadn’t been so touchy-feely when they were growing up, but she found that she appreciated those rare moments of physical tenderness with her sibling.
Anna’s phone pinged.
“My Uber’s here,” she sighed. “I don't want to leave. I mean, seriously, England's great, but you live too far."
"I'll come visit."
“You’re just saying that."
“No, really, I might."
"What, because of Eric?"
Emmy shrugged. He was after all half-English, and happy to cross the Atlantic at the drop of a hat. And Anna obviously got it, because a slow grin spread across her face.
"Actually, I can see that happening. I'll expect to see you soon then. But call me about the meeting, promise?”
◆◆◆
It was her first time back in the building since her ill-fated face-to-face with Eric after Thanksgiving, and it hit Emmy how far they'd come in a few short weeks. In the elevator, she tried to prepare for the upcoming confrontation as best she could. First point, she told herself when the door opened into Eric's living room, bathed in the last rays of the afternoon's sunlight, was not to think about the explosive sex they'd had here last time.
It was an instant fail as her gaze went straight to the window against which Eric had had her, only for their eyes to cross when she looked away. And the bastard smirked.
"Welcome, Emmy," he said, stepping towards her as she fought to stop herself turning crimson. "You remember my mother."
Mrs. Glenison was sitting on one of the black Le Corbusier sofas, legs demurely crossed, looking chic and timeless in a pale pink sweater and a gray marl skirt, a cup of tea on the low glass table, with Rey next to her in cozy chat mode.
"Of course — how are you, Mrs. Glenison. It's a pleasure to meet you again," Emmy said, sticking her hand out and hoping against hope that she wasn't looking like a tomato.
Eric, as far as she was concerned, could go to hell with his sexy, innuendo-laced voice and his hooded eyes. She determinedly avoided looking at him and instead smiled at Rey and Owen, who was pouring himself something that was clearly not