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Was he really this naive? The woman probably despised her mother. He was likely his aunt’s pride and joy.
Any woman would have been proud to call the man her nephew. There was no way she’d accept Emma as Garrett’s wife.
From her conversations with George and Rainer, she knew Garrett had been born to a successful and self-involved businessman. After his mother had died, the man had focused on his work, leaving Garrett in the care of housekeepers and less frequently his aunt.
Garrett had never told them he resented his father’s frequent absences. Not in words. But his actions since then spoke volumes. Because Garrett didn’t simply become a better businessman than his father. He became a mogul, completely eclipsing his parents’ accomplishments.
Today Garrett operated on another level, one where financial magazines wrote about his deals.
According to Rainer, people vied to do business with Next Chapter, bringing opportunities other companies like his didn’t get. He was a shining star. And because he wasn’t his father, he would have stayed in touch with his aunt, caring for her in whatever way she would let him.
They were probably extremely close.
No, there was no way this Aunt Phil would welcome her with open arms. The best she could expect was grudging and teeth-gritted politeness. Emma didn’t want to imagine what the worst-case scenario would be.
“Problem for another day,” she muttered, feeling a little dizzy. She made a move to climb off his lap, but he didn’t release her.
“One that I will deal with,” he said. “Me. This isn’t your problem. All you should be focusing on is your family, continued recovery, and whatever job you decide is worth your time.”
Her family and recovery she could deal with. But that yawning gap in the road up ahead that was her future career was just too much on top of these revelations.
The future in general was frightening to contemplate.
Which brought up another issue. “What happens if you change your mind?”
He raised his eyebrows. “How can you possibly think that is going to happen?”
“You never know someone until you live with them. We never got that chance. What if you decide you can’t stand the way I chew a few months down the line?”
His face cleared, warming. “Emma, wehavebeen living together for months. I already know how you chew.”
“What if you snore and I can’t sleep? I could snap and go after you with a baseball bat.”
Garrett chuckled silently. “That is very specific. Also, I don’t snore. You didn’t use to, either. If that’s changed, I will buy some earplugs. Problem solved.”
His grip on her tightened and suddenly she was being carried.
“You do, however, bring up a very good point. The most significant change is going to be our sleeping arrangements. Why don’t we go see how much you like my bed? I think you’ll find it very comfortable.”
Emma couldn’t stifle a giggle. “You say that like we’ll actually be sleeping in it.”
Garrett grinned down at her. “See, your memory may be faulty, but it hardly matters. You already know me better than you think.”
Chapter Forty-Three
EMMA
Georgia was glowing about as much as you would expect a woman fresh off her honeymoon with a handsome virile husband who adored her.
Emma smiled at her friend and slipped on a pair of shades that were completely unnecessary in this corner of the café.
Today they were drinking at the competition, a national chain with a location right across from their building. Although technically, she wasn’t a regular employee of theDe Ollaanymore.
She’d allowed Garrett to talk her into considering finishing her college degree, but she hadn’t let Hector take her off the books completely. She was still taking the odd shift, filling in when someone else called in sick.
Garrett hated it but didn’t argue. They’d been married less than two months, and he already knew when to choose his battles. That and he understood her in a way no one else seemed to.
Emma had a hard time quitting anything.