The Best is Yet to Come

Forty Five: Emma

Damn, this wine is good. I gulp down the last of the liquid gold from my glass and wave to the bartender for another. This is probably going to get you drunk, I remind myself. Do you want to make a fool of yourself in front of Noah? It's easy for me to shrug off the annoying voice, I stopped caring two glasses ago.

I eagerly pick up the fresh glass of wine that's been placed in front of me and close my eyes in bliss as I take a sip. Thanks again, Evelyn.

Ugh. Evelyn Dean. What could I have possibly done to make her hate me so much? Was all of this really over a candle? I'm sitting in the garden of her multi million dollar house, one of her multi million dollar houses, I remind myself. She couldn't possibly hate me over a refund... a refund that Glory gave her in the end, anyway!

Maybe it was one of those momma bird situations. Noah was her youngest son and I vaguely remember Glory saying something about Jackson having been married. Maybe she thought I was trying to take her son away from her? But even then, her actions seemed too cruel for that.

A round of applause startles me out of my reverie and I swivel on my stool to watch the crowd on the dance floor cheer on the band. The singer takes a bow before turning to call to the band, who promptly picks up their instruments again and begins the intro to another song.

I wonder what's taking Noah so long. I'm not sure why his brother had interrupted and pulled him away from our dance but by the look on Jackson's face, it must have been serious.

I stretch my neck to gaze past the crowd to where I last saw Noah and Jackson together. Their spot near the hedges is empty, though, and I quickly scan the area for a familiar mop of brown hair.

Hopping off the stool, I stumble as soon as my feet hit the floor and I can't repress the drunken giggle that escapes my lips. Shit.

A haughty looking woman gives me a side eye as she and her date walk past. I give her a wave and a smile. She probably thinks I'm drunk.

You are drunk, dumbass.

I need to find Noah. I take a deep breath and look to the house, assuming he probably went inside. I concentrate on walking to the door in a straight line, silently cursing myself for wearing heels tonight. Another glass of wine and I probably would have just taken them off and walked barefoot. I laugh at the thought then choke on my own giggles when a familiar blonde woman walks into the garden.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"Emma," Evelyn greets me, "there you are, darling. Come, Noah's asked me to bring you to the library."

Oh, thank god. The thought of Noah stirs something warm in my chest and I realize I miss him already.

Before I have the chance to answer, Evelyn takes me by the arm and leads us over the threshold into the house. I don't like the way her long manicured nails poke at my arm and I have to fight the urge to pull away.

She leads the way to the library (library!!), pulling me through the living area, down a long hallway and finally to a set of large wooden doors. Evelyn pulls the doors ajar and I walk inside, searching for Noah.

Even though I'm a little drunk, it doesn't take me long to realize we were alone.  I hear the heavy doors shut behind me and turn to see Evelyn point a finger at me. I take a step back, startled.

"Don't say a word," she snaps, "All you need to do is listen."

I snap my mouth shut, wide eyed.

"I think you know exactly what this is but I'm going to make myself perfectly clear. I don't like you," she spits.

What the fuck?

"Noah has a great life set out for him. All you're going to do is get in the way of that. And we can't let that happen, can we?"

I'm astonished by her harsh words, completely frozen from shock. I vaguely notice the room start to tilt and the blood drains from my face. There's nothing nearby to lean on and I pray to God I don't collapse in front of this woman.

She continues, "How long has this foolish charade been going on?"

I blink a few times for clarity, "Wha-"

Evelyn waves her hand to shut me up, a sneer contorting her face, "Oh, it doesn't matter. Noah will lose interest in you eventually, and even if he doesn't, it won't take you long to realize he's too good for you."

I feel like I'm going to be sick.

"You don't look like you're stupid, Emma, so do not take this warning lightly. I will get involved if I have to. End this childish obsession Noah has with you or I'll be forced to take care of it myself."

And with that, she turns on her heel and struts out of the room, her blonde curls bouncing out of sight.

My knees twitch and begin to wobble and then I'm on the floor, choking back a sob.