Free Heart Block by Melissa Brayden Page B

regarded the after-dinner drink in front of her and frowned in annoyance. She hated the way information traveled like wildfire among their group of friends. “It was not, what was the word you just used? A dalliance. I danced with a woman, actually a girl if you want to get technical. Not a big deal, Luce.”
    “It is a big deal if you took her home with you. It’s been a while since you’ve gotten out there. This is kind of monumental.”
    Emory couldn’t help but laugh then. “I would hardly call whatever that was dating, and no, just for the record, she absolutely did not go home with me. I don’t think I could stand myself if I slept with a woman who uses five letters to spell Amy.”
    “Such an elitist bitch,” Lucy mused, clearly enjoying it.
    “Am I?” Emory laughed along with her. “I wish I wasn’t. I don’t want to be.”
    “It’s okay, Em. I think it’s our lot in life. We were brought up to be selective about who we surround ourselves with. There are worse things in life than good breeding, trust me.”
    Emory thought about that sentence and the people she did choose to surround herself with. She didn’t have a whole lot of family left. There was Vanessa, but she lived in Colorado with her own family, and they’d never been close. She had Lucy, Mia, and their circle of friends, and of course, her assistant, Trevor, and the people she worked with. She also spent time with the co-chairs of the various charities she volunteered with—planning events, galas, and fundraising opportunities. And lately, there had been Sarah. Her gaze moved across the short distance between them and she studied her. When she’d first recognized Sarah in the restaurant, her movement had stilled, and she’d lost the last bit of something Lucy was saying about olives.
    Emory had noticed Sarah more and more as they’d gotten to know each other, but seeing her outside of work, wearing a black and blue cocktail dress that hugged her in all the right places was another story. She looked stunning. She’d worn her hair down, and the dress showed just enough to completely entice, yet withhold. Seeing Sarah in this whole new light had Emory’s mind in overdrive. Slow down, she reprimanded herself. Sarah is your very straight employee who, as such, needs to remain in the do-not-imagine-naked column.
    Lucy shot Emory a questioning look and followed her gaze to the nearby table. “So this woman does work for you?”
    Emory accepted the bill from the waiter. “Right, I told you that.”
    “In what capacity? Your taxes, investments, what are we talking here?”
    Emory met her gaze. “She’s from the company I hired to sort out Mother’s house.”
    Lucy’s eyes widened in shock and she turned around to steal another glance at Sarah. “She’s your cleaning woman? That’s your cleaning woman?”
    “Please lower your voice, but yes,” Emory answered, somewhat annoyed.
    “As in, the dancing cleaning woman?”
    “Yes.”
    “Wow. Suddenly, my house could use a little touch up.” Lucy stole another glance.
    “Shut up. Let’s get out of here.” Emory signed the slip of paper and returned it to the leather bound book, leaving a generous tip for the superb service.
    Sarah watched Emory’s retreating form and followed the gentle sway of her hips as she and her companion exited the restaurant. She was curious as to where they’d go next, what the rest of their evening entailed. A moment before they’d disappeared around the corner, Emory turned back and offered her a slight wave, her eyes lingering on Sarah for a moment. It wasn’t until they were gone that Sarah remembered she should probably breathe.

    *

    James held Sarah’s hand as he walked her to the door of her apartment. “I had a great time tonight. If it’s possible, I think I enjoyed tonight even more than our first date.”
    Sarah was feeling bold. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?”
    His face lit up. “I’d love a cup, if you’re sure