Page 37 of Resisting the Temptation (Broken Shelves #3)

Ben

When I’m positive she’s engrossed in her morning planning, I assess how she looks. Her curly hair is pulled back into a braid, which isn’t unusual, but the puffiness of her eyes, lack of makeup, and tinge of redness to her nose is.

She’s been crying. A lot, from what I can tell.

Was she crying over me?

Before I can get up to say something, Papà walks into her office and closes the door. They don’t turn the glass opaque, so I watch them talk, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. I’ve never wished to be a fly on the wall, but I find myself wishing for it right now.

Get a hold of yourself.

I pretend to type while I watch out of the corner of my eye.

Emma keeps wiping away tears as they fall, but I can tell she’s trying to keep a bright smile on her face.

Papà leans over and takes her hands in his while he talks.

She nods at whatever he’s saying, then they both stand, and Papà wraps her in a big hug.

I shouldn’t be jealous my father is comforting the woman I’m falling in love with, but I am.

I want Emma to come to me for comfort . To trust me with the things that bother her.

But I’m glad Papà is there for her, even if Emma doesn’t want me to be.

When Papà leaves her office, he shuts the door behind him and walks across the hall to my office and closes my door. Just as he sits down, I see Emma pack up her bag, shut off her light, and leave the office without saying a word to anyone.

“Where is she going?” I ask, my tone more frantic than I want it to be.

“She’s taking the rest of the week off. She has a family emergency and needs to be in Utah by Friday.”

Fuck. Her grandpa probably passed away .

Why didn’t I think about that? I knew her grandpa wasn’t doing well. That should have been my first thought when I saw her crying.

“She’s driving to Utah alone?”

Papà shrugs. “I assume so. When I asked if she had someone to go with her, she said her roommate isn’t available.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Well, Beniamino, I don’t think so either, but I’m not in a position to tell her what to do. I’m only her boss, not her father. I gave her the week off—paid, of course. She told me she could finish out today, but I told her to go home and take some time for herself before she makes the drive.”

I already know what I need to do, but I don’t know how to go about this without exposing my feelings for her to Papà. It’s not that I don’t trust him, but I haven’t even told Emma how I feel. I should probably tell her first.

“You’ve barely used any of your paid time off this year. Take the week off and go with her.” Papà demands, crossing his arms.

“Why would I go with her?”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Papà roll his eyes, but he does as he mutters in Italian before giving me a look like I’ve insulated him.

“You think Mamà and I didn’t see you two on Saturday?

You don’t think we know you well enough to know when you’re romantically interested in someone?

Sure, you haven’t dated anyone since Janessa, but you never looked at her the way you look at Emma.

I don’t know Emma as well as I know you, but I can tell there were no sparks between her and Mateo.

But you two? You could have set the house on fire with the sparks flying between you. ”

“I don’t—”

“Ah, ah, ah. Don’t try to deny it, Beniamino. As your boss and your papà I’m telling you to take the week off. We can handle whatever might come up. She needs you more than we do right now.”

I don’t give my parents enough credit. I thought I kept my feelings secret, but I guess I was wrong. I don’t know how to tell Papà this is just sex. Emma doesn’t want more.

“Fine. I’m… falling for her. But she wouldn’t want me to come with her. Whatever is between us doesn’t seem to be enough to make her want me for more than one night at a time.”

“Oh, figliolo. Even though she tries to hide it, I can see the hurt in that girl’s eyes.

For all her sunshine, she’s still scared of getting burned.

She needs to know you’re not going to give up on her.

I think going with her to Utah is a good start.

Besides, it’s clear her family isn’t going to be a shoulder for her to lean on.

She needs someone in her corner if she’s going to face them. ”

If Jordan can’t go with her, then yeah, she’s going to need someone to lean on. I don’t like the idea of her driving to Utah alone, then facing her family alone and heartbroken.

“Did she tell you when she’s leaving?”

“Tomorrow morning. But since I gave her the day off, she might leave tonight. You better go now so you don’t miss her.”

I save the document I was working on and lock my computer, then grab my work bag and stand to leave. Papà follows me out of my office.

I turn to him and give him a hug. “ Grazie, Papà. ” Thank you, Father.

“ Prego, figliolo.” You’re welcome, son. “I’m excited to have a new daughter-in-law soon.” Papà smirks.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

But I know he already has. I’m sure Mamà has already planned our wedding, and she and Cici are already planning on Emma coming around for Christmas in a little over two months.

Visions of Emma sitting on my lap while my family gathers around the tree and opens presents assault me as I make it to my truck.

I want that.

I want her to wear the silly matching pajamas Mamà still buys for us. Emma would probably be thrilled to see me in the printed monstrosities. She’d probably help Mamà and Cici pick them out.

I shake my head when I get in the driver’s seat. I have a few hurdles to jump over before I can get into matching pajama territory.

The first one is getting her to agree to let me come with her to Utah.

I send a text to Jordan.

Ben: How long does it take Emma to pack?

Jordan: About two hours. Please tell me you’re going to make a grand gesture and go with her? I can’t go with her because of a conference, and I don’t want her to go alone. I know our plan was for you to take it slow, but she needs you right now.

Ben: I don’t know if this is a grand gesture, but I’m not letting her go alone. Plans change, but my feelings haven’t.

Jordan: It is a grand gesture. Don’t let her push you away now. She needs someone else on her side.

Ben: I’ll be by her side as long as she lets me.

Forever, if I have it my way.