Free Translucent by Erin Noelle Page A

questions with obvious confusion.
    “Believe it or not, I do have a life outside you, Emerson, and these office walls.”
    “Bullshit. If you really have a date, bring her too,” he counters. “I’ll get all of our names on the list.”
    I contemplate his proposition, and think it may be a good idea. Blake may feel more comfortable in a public setting with other people than one-on-one with me, and if we do discuss the video games, it may be beneficial to have her there to discuss the particulars.
    “Okay, I’ll bring her. Where, what time, and what’s the dress?”
    He spends the next few minutes giving me the details and calls his contact to get Blake and myself on the list of attendees. As he leaves, his happiness is evident, and I have to admit it does fill me with a little joy. He may be a pain in my ass, but he’s the only sibling I have.
    Picking up my phone from the corner of my desk, I text Blake about the change of plans.
    We’re going to a black tie charity event tonight instead of dinner.
    I’ll pick you up at seven. I need your address.
    It takes her forever to reply, and I’m just about to call her, when my phone alerts me of an incoming message.
    We can do dinner another night.
    What the fuck? Did my message seem like a question? Perturbed, I type back.
    It’s non-negotiable.
    I’m not waiting another night to be with this damn woman, and her hesitancy confuses the shit out of me. I can see it in her eyes when she’s with me that she wants to be there with me; the connection when we’re together is undeniable. Damn near smothering, it hangs so densely in the air between us. There’s something else there, though…something holding her back. Maybe she needs more guidance than I originally thought. I don’t have time to play games with this today; I have an event to attend tonight, and she will be by my side. Picking up the phone, I dial Mr. Thompson’s direct number.
    “Joseph Thompson speaking,” he answers jovially.
    “Good afternoon, Mr. Thompson,” I reply courteously. “It’s Madden from Decker Enterprises. How are you on this beautiful Friday?”
    “Oh, Mr. Deck—, I mean Madden, yes, good afternoon. I’m doing well, thank you.” I can almost hear him sit up straighter in his chair. “What can I do for you today? I hope all is going well. The girls have been keeping me updated with the progress this week.”
    “All is fine, no worries,” I ensure him. “I’m actually calling because an event has just popped up on my radar for this evening that I think may help the project. The event itself is a black tie charity gala for battered women, which is a cause I always support anyway, but in addition, I’ve been told there will be numerous professional athletes in attendance. I’m hoping to discuss the new video game line with some of them, perhaps to get some backing and support for when we roll it out.”
    “Ah, I see. That’s a terrific idea for marketing,” he responds, the confusion of where he fits in evident in his voice.
    “I know it’s very last minute, but I was hoping that Ms. Liu and Ms. Martin could join my brother and myself in order to provide specific details about the games in case they arise. I think it would be most beneficial for all parties.” I pause a brief moment to let the information sink in, and then continue. “I would send a car for them this evening, and also provide a dress allowance so the ladies can find something nice to wear, if necessary. I’d hate to be presumptuous, but Jae and Blake seem like hardworking young ladies, and I’m not sure they have something suitable for an event like this.”
    He clears his throat as I wait for the answer I want to hear. “Well, I think it sounds like a tremendous idea, and I’m thrilled you think so highly of my girls to invite them to something like this. I’ll need to check with both of them to make sure they don’t have any prior plans they can’t get out of, and also to discuss the dress