Since it would give him a legitimate excuse to approach Emma after they stopped sitting together, he agreed.
Todd and the other guards closed in around him after he bid the women goodbye. Their stomachs growled as they eyed the treats he carried.
Cliff waited until they were all ensconced in the elevator with the doors closed, then took the top off the container. “Anyone want a cookie?”
They were stuffing their faces before he even finished the question.
He laughed. But his amusement couldn’t quite take the edge off the sadness that filled him now that his time with Emma had come to an end.
Damn. He really liked her. Hard to believe he had only known her for a week.
But he was a vampire. Vampires didn’t get happily-ever-afters with women like Emma.
Vampires didn’t get happily-ever-afters at all.
Nothing but darkness lay ahead of him.
Emma paused when she reached Cynthia’s office. Much larger than hers, Cynthia shared it with nine other employees who closely monitored the internet for mentions of Immortal Guardians, gifted ones, and vampires.
Cynthia had grumbled that the last was a pain in the ass because there were so many vampire wannabes out there. So weird.
Emma poked her head in. “Hey, Cynthia?”
Her friend looked up with a smile. “Hey, girl.”
“Hi, Emma,” the others chorused.
Emma tossed them a hello and turned back to Cynthia. “You got a minute?”
“Sure.”
Cynthia rounded her desk and stepped into the hallway.
Without saying a word, Emma led her to the nearest restroom and ducked inside. Once there, Emma made sure the stalls were all empty before she spoke. “I need a favor.”
“Okay.” Cynthia was such a great friend. She didn’t even ask what it was before agreeing.
“I need you to see if Todd can have lunch with us.”
“By us do you mean you and me? Or—”
“Cliff is worried because he heard some of the other employees gossiping about us, speculating that I’m having lunch with him because I’m attracted to him.”
“You are having lunch with him because you’re attracted to him.”
“I know that. And you know that. But he doesn’t. And apparently the loose-lipped jackasses who are talking about us think they should tell Mr. Reordon so he can… I don’t know… step in or something.”
“What?” Scowling, Cynthia propped her hands on her hips. “That’s total bullshit!”
“I know. But I’m afraid Mr. Reordon might ban Cliff from eating up here. And Cliff needs this, Cynthia. Especially after what happened with the mercenaries.”
“I agree. Todd said Cliff has been way more relaxed since he started venturing out of sublevel 5. He’s even laughing and joking again.”
Happiness filled her. “He is?” Was it because he was exploring other areas of the building or because he was spending time with her?
Emma quickly shut the thought down.
“Yes.” Cynthia touched Emma’s arm. “But honey, you know this can’t go anywhere, right? You and Cliff?”
“We’re just friends.”
“But you want to be more.”
Hell yes she did. “We can’t be more. The only time we see each other is at lunch.”
“And you don’t want to lose that?”
Emma hesitated. “No.” Cliff made her feel things she never had before. “I mean, no one else will sit with him. So if I don’t, he’ll have to eat alone while everyone else gawks at him.”
Cynthia smiled in a way that said she knew Emma was full of crap.
Emma laughed. “Well. It’s true.”
“Uh-huh. So you want Todd and me to start eating with you?”
“Yes, please.”
“You aren’t worried that it’ll look too much like a double date to the gossipmongers?”
Emma bit her lip. “Oh. Right. I didn’t think of that.” Throwing up her hands, she exclaimed, “This is so ridiculous! What does it even matter? It’s not like we’re going to start groping each other right there in the cafeteria!”
Cynthia laughed. “That would rock! Talk about jaws dropping.”
Emma eyed her balefully. “So happy I can amuse you.”
Still chuckling, Cynthia waved a hand in dismissal. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this.” She winked as she headed for the door. “See you at lunch.”
Cliff glanced at the guards as they crowded into the elevator with him.
There was one more than there had been the day before. Why? Had someone complained?
He frowned. About what? Cliff had been on his best behavior while on sublevel 1 and had done nothing to scare anyone. All he’d done was chat with Emma.
His frown deepened into a scowl. Wait. Had someone tattled to Reordon? Was the extra man coming along to ensure Cliff would keep his distance from Emma?