The Editor

8.Emma

Harry set a plate of pasta before me and then sat down across from me. I picked up a fork and twirled it in the pasta absentmindedly.

“So let me get this straight, your parents traveled practically all the time for work and left you alone with your sister and a nanny that only showed up once in a while.” Harry said.

“Pretty much.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“And your sister, who pretty much raised you, made out with Greg the asshole,” I smiled at Harry’s nickname for Greg. “At your wedding and hasn’t spoken to you since.”

“And that brings us up to date with my crappy childhood.  Aren’t you glad you’re dating girl with so much baggage?” I said bitterly.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, none of that was your fault.” He said, grabbing my hand from across the table. I put down my fork with all of the pasta on my plate twirled around it. His thumb gently ran over my knuckles. I refused to be soothed.

“Says the guys who’s family is practically perfect. Your mother and sister are saints and your step dad is the second nicest man I’ve ever met.”

“Who’s the first?”

“You of course.”

“Why do you have to get upset in order to compliment me?” Harry asked with a smirk. I shot him a look. “Sorry.” He muttered, dropping my hand. I sighed and put my head in my hands.

“I’ve spent my whole life trying to distance myself from them, I don’t want to go back and just be disappointed all over again.”

“People can change.” Harry said.

“I hope so.” I said. We fell into silence as I tried to get all the pasta off my fork.

“What was your good news?” Harry suddenly asked. I smiled, remembering.

“Um, I’m going to be promoted to editor.” I said.

“Emma Lee Knightly that is fan-fucking-tastic!” Harry suddenly yelled. I jumped in surprise and then laughed.

“I take it you’re excited then?”

“Excited? This is great! You’re going to be the head of the company, I can see it now! They’ll have to rename the magazine after you. It could be Knightly monthly or just Emma. And I’ll get to tell everyone my girlfriend is the head of a magazine!” I laughed and Harry kept going with names for the magazine.

“Why don’t you just name your album, ‘My Girlfriend might be the head of a magazine one day’ I think that will let everyone know much quicker.” I said. Harry smiled.

“I love it! I need to go tell the guys!” he left to call them and I smiled to myself. I was thankful, not for the first time that I had met Harry.