New Leaves

Chapter Nine - Until We Meet Again

Emily's POV

The next week went by all too quickly, and before I knew it, it was the day before James's flight to LA. I helped him pack up the last of his things. "So, that's the last box?" I asked.

"Yep. That's everything," James said.

"You're sure you don't want to take any furniture with you?"

"It'd be more trouble than it's worth. Besides, now the subletter won't have to buy anything. Come on, let's take a break."

The two of us flopped down on the sofa. "You're pretty calm for someone about to move thousands of miles away. If I were in your shoes, I'd be bursting with excitement! I still can't believe you're moving to Hollywood!"

"Neither can I, Emily. Quite literally. The reality of it hasn't set in yet."

"Even with all your stuff packed?"

"Maybe it'd be different if I had to look at the apartment empty, but -" James's phone rang, interrupting him. He checked it and gave me an apologetic look before answering. "Hello? Right. Okay, I've actually got someone coming by very soon, but I'll see what I can do. Talk to you later." He hung up the phone and turned to me. "I hate to do this, Emily, but Yasmin just reminded me that I need to get some forms to her before the office closes. I'd do it myself, but the subletter is going to be here in a few minutes..."

"Say no more. I've got this."

"Thank you. The papers are already in the car." He took his car keys out of his pocket and handed them to me. "I've got her office address saved in my GPS. Just follow the directions and you'll be there in no time."

I drove over to Yasmin's office. When I entered, Yasmin was too busy talking on the phone to notice me. "He won't turn me down if he knows what's good for him," Yasmin said. "I'm the one who could make or break his career!" Yasmin glanced over her shoulder and saw me. She pressed the phone to her chest. "Are those James's forms?"

"Yes... Were you just talking about -"

"Just leave the papers there on the table. Now, if you'll excuse me?"

She lifted the phone back to her ear. I dropped the forms on her desk and let myself out. I picked James up at his apartment and he drove the two of us to a restaurant for dinner. "Thanks again for dropping those forms off for me," James said.

"No problem, but there's something I think you should know about Yasmin," I said.

"What is it, Emily?"

"I think that she's planning to make a move on you."

"Make a move on me? What in the world are you talking about?"

"When I was dropping off the forms, I heard Yasmin say something like, 'he won't refuse because I control his career' or something."

"Is that all? Emily, she was probably just complaining about a stubborn client. I promise, we have a professional relationship."

"I don't know. The whole thing seemed a little... femme fatale. You didn't see the grin on her face."

"I wouldn't worry about it. Even if she was talking about me, I'm sure it was just about some contract she thinks I should sign. Besides, I'm not interested in her that way. If she did try something, I'd refuse, even if it put my career at stake."

"Well, if you're sure... I'm sorry. I guess I'm just being paranoid about you leaving."

"Oh, no apology necessary. It's good to know you're watching out for me."