Chapter 6: Joint Presentation

 

At 8:30 AM, Emma walked into Morrison & Associates, head high, wearing her navy power suit like armor.

She took the stairs instead of the elevator. Couldn't risk running into Alex.

On the twenty-second floor, she headed straight for the conference room where the morning meeting would be held. Early. She'd be early, get herself set up, establish her space before…

She turned the corner.

And crashed directly into someone carrying a stack of files.

Papers exploded everywhere. Emma stumbled backward, her bag flying, her coffee cup, thankfully empty, clattering across the floor.

Strong hands caught her arms, steadying her.

Emma looked up.

Alex.

They were inches apart. Alex's hands still on Emma's arms, gentle but firm. Files scattered around their feet like the remnants of a bomb blast.

"I'm sorry," Alex breathed. "I didn't see you, are you okay?"

Emma couldn't speak. Couldn't move. Could barely breathe.

This close, she could see everything. The freckles across Alex's nose that makeup didn't quite cover. The tiny scar on her left eyebrow from that time in college when she'd walked into a door while reading a brief. The way her blue-grey eyes had flecks of silver in them.

"Emma?" Alex's voice was soft. Concerned. Her thumbs moved against Emma's arms, a gentle, unconscious gesture.

The touch burned.

Emma jerked backward, breaking contact. "I'm fine."

She dropped to her knees, started gathering files with shaking hands. Alex knelt too, close enough that their shoulders almost touched.

"Let me help—"

"I don't need your help." Emma grabbed papers, not even looking at what they were.

"Emma, please. I—"

Their hands reached for the same document.

Touched.

And an electric current buzz between them

Both froze.

Emma's hand was on top of Alex's. Their fingers overlapping. That simple contact sending electricity racing up Emma's arm, making her heart stutter, reminding her of all the times they'd held hands walking across campus, hidden from view, scared and exhilarated and in love.

Emma yanked her hand back like she'd been burned. "Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't touch me. Don't look at me like that. Don't—" Emma's voice broke. "Just don't."

She stood abruptly, abandoning half the files. She couldn't do this. Couldn't kneel there on the floor with Alex, couldn't feel that touch, couldn't…

"Ms. Parker. Ms. Richardson."

Morrison's voice.

Emma spun around. Morrison stood a few feet away, watching them with those sharp eyes that missed nothing.

"Mr. Morrison," Emma managed. "I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."

"Clearly." Morrison's gaze moved between them. "The associates are ready to be briefed. We start in five minutes. I suggest you both get yourselves together."

He walked away. Emma and Alex stared at each other over the scattered files.

"Emma—"

"Don't." Emma's hands were still shaking. "We have a presentation in five minutes. Let's just—let's just get it over with."

She turned and walked toward the conference room, leaving Alex kneeling on the floor surrounded by papers.

Inside, Emma gripped the edge of the conference table and tried to steady her breathing.

That touch. God, that simple touch had undone her completely.

Eight years. Eight years of carefully constructed walls, and a two-second hand touch had nearly brought them all crashing down.

This was going to be impossible.

The door opened. Alex walked in, arms full of files, expression carefully neutral.

"We should sync up on the presentation," Alex said quietly. "Compare notes."

"Fine." Emma pulled out her laptop. Professional. She could be professional.

They worked in tense silence, discussing strategy, dividing up presentation duties, not looking at each other any longer than necessary.

At 8:58, other partners started filing in. David gave Emma a worried look as he took a seat. Other associates followed.

Morrison entered last, settling at the head of the table. "Ms. Richardson. Ms. Parker. You're up."

Emma stood. Alex stood beside her.

They were going to do this.

Together.

Whether Emma liked it or not.