Free Sweet Imperfection by Libby Waterford Page A

haven’t spoken since.”
    “Damn. That explains the mopey attitude. What are you waiting for? Call her.”
    “I have called her. I called her and texted her, and she’s ignoring me.”
    “That’s rough. Well, there are plenty of women in this city waiting for someone like you to take them home. You gotta open your eyes to the buffet that is New York.”
    “I don’t want a buffet. I don’t think I should be with anyone for a long time. This whole thing has made me realize I’m even more screwed up than I thought, and I’m not good for anyone. I’m going to work, focus on the business, and that’s it.”
    Cory slammed down a fist on the bar, making cutlery and glasses jump. “Fuck that!”
    “Whoa, dude—”
    “No, Nate, I am sick of your self-indulgent shit. I was there when you married Alison. I was happy for you, but I could tell she wasn’t the right girl for you. You never had half the spark in you for Alison that you have when you talk about Emma. There’s something wrong with that.”
    Nate started to protest, but Cory plowed on. “When Alison did what she did and things ended, I was happy because it meant you could find someone you really fit with. Then I watched you spend a year ignoring everything except your work, and, believe me, I know about doing that. I can tell you, man, it’s no way to live. I work hard, but life wouldn’t be worth living without Lizzie by my side.” Cory’s voice softened at the mention of his wife. “This is the first time in forever I’ve seen you open up to feeling anything about someone else, and it’s amazing because I can tell this girl is good for you. You’ve given up before you even gave it a real shot. What is wrong with you?”
    Nate stared in shock at his friend. Cory was a ball buster by nature, but Nate had never realized the extent of his friend’s insight and supportiveness. He was touched.
    “You think she’d still want me after I screwed things up?”
    “If she’s smart, she’s going to grab onto you and not let you get away with any of this self-pitying shit. Yes, Alison screwed you over, but you’re better off without her. Stop thinking of yourself as broken and start thanking your lucky stars fate is giving you a chance with a woman who could be everything to you like Lizzie is to me.”
    “Damn, Cory, you’re a real romantic son of a bitch, aren’t you?”
    “Call me Cupid,” he cracked. “Now drink your beer and celebrate. The Yanks are slaughtering the Sox.” He raised his bottle to the screen showing the game behind the bar.
    Nate laughed and drank to that.

 
     
     
Chapter Eight
     
     
    Emma scanned the dim interior of the French bistro around the corner from her office. A single elegant woman at the bar was holding a glass of champagne and speaking in French with the bartender, a young man who was clearly captivated by the conversation in his native tongue. She grinned, and her heart lightened.
    “Mom.” She approached Juliette Delvaux and was wrapped in her mother’s strong embrace. She blinked away the tears that sprang into her eyes. Sometimes there was nothing better than a hug from one’s mom.
    “Hello, beautiful girl,” Juliette said, kissing the cheek of her only daughter. Emma smiled. Her mother had always used that pet name, and even though Emma was in her thirties, it still tended to embarrass her when they were in public. Besides, in Emma’s eyes, her mother was the most beautiful woman in the world. Well into middle age, she’d kept her thick black hair long, and it was now twisted up into a chignon. Her violet eyes stood out on her oval face, and though she was over sixty, she looked much younger. Emma exclaimed over her mother’s new drop earrings and how well she looked, even though she’d spent the day in airports, airplanes, and taxis, making her way from coast to coast.
    “When I don’t travel with your father, I indulge myself,” Juliette confided as she bid adieu to the disappointed