Free Waking Up With You by Sofie Hartwell Page A

won’t be good at it.”
    “Or it could just be a case of nepotism,” I surmise frankly.
    “Not that kind of guy. Everyone at the office carries his weight. He hires only the best, Emma.”
    If only he knew how I really got the job. I smile slightly and say with humor, “It appears you have just admitted that you are very good at what you do. I was right all along.”
    “Touche,” he says with a bow. “Sadly, given that you have completed the paperwork, I have no choice but to leave,” he says, pretending to sulk.
    “You should have told me to write more slowly,” I play along with his joke.
    “That’s okay. Let me make up some more forms for you to sign so I can pay you a visit once again,” he gleefully says.
    “You do that. I’d welcome the interruption any time,” I assure him.
    “Are you sure?” he asks while meaningfully staring at my wedding ring. Yikes! I had forgotten about that. I scramble for an answer.
    “This is my mother’s wedding ring. And this,” I say while pointing to my watch, “is my brother’s watch. I just wear them to keep their memories alive.” Whew! Okay, I was only half-lying.
    He flashes a big smile, relieved at my response.
    I walk him to his Lexus and he leans towards me as he shakes my hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Emma,” he says sincerely.
    “Drop by any time,” I say with a warm smile.
    “I certainly will,” he says as he gets into his car. He waves as he makes his way out of the property.
    As soon as he’s gone, I literally run to my laptop and google Christina Sawyer. It turns out that she’s one of the gorgeous women in the photographs I saw yesterday. Christina Sawyer is the daughter of the late Justice Zachary Sawyer and the philanthropist Ruth Sawyer from the famous Mead clan in Philadelphia. Quintessential California blonde beauty, blessed with intelligence, savvy, and flair. She is exquisite, rich, and well-connected. Kill me now.
    I go through every site that mentions her. Graduated with honors from Harvard. One of the top twenty sexiest lawyers in America. Stunning in a red bikini. Sings Nessun Dorma at a fund raiser. She’s also a gifted soprano? Awarding scholarship winners with her elegant mother. Abundantly favored with good genes . This woman has everything, including Jake. Talk about a grand sweep. Ah, there it is. She’s photographed with Jake. The caption: ‘The gorgeous Christina Sawyer with equally hot boyfriend, architect Jake Morgan. Is a walk down the aisle imminent?’ There are other photographs of the two of them – walking up the steps of the courthouse, attending a gala, dancing at yet another fundraiser.
    When I didn’t know about her, I could distract myself from the attraction I felt towards Jake. Now that I know about her, I know I’ll be fixating on her endlessly. What’s worse is that I think I’m even more attracted to him now. Is this a case of wanting what you can’t have?
    OMG. It must have been her calling him right after the wedding ceremony at Norwalk. No wonder he looked rather evasive. I consider my thoughts carefully and come up with no acceptable resolution. Game over, Emma .
    I hie off to the kitchen to find comfort in cooking. My mother taught me how to cook when I was only seven years old. She was old-fashioned that way. She believed that women should master the skill. Charlie was my biggest fan. From the very beginning, he was always clamoring for my meat pies. He loved my pastas and chicken dishes. After our parents died and I took over the kitchen, he encouraged me to experiment with the more complex recipes. I guess I could apply for being a sous chef, if I really wanted to. But I don’t see baking and cooking as work. I find them incredibly soothing. When I chop, mix, and stir, I am in the zone. I think about nothing but the end result. The activity is a kind of therapy for me.
    Today I want to prepare coq au vin and chocolate soufflé for dessert. I get the large dutch oven from the