BooksBarbecue
Back The Companion Project
Chapters (89)
  1. Dedication
  2. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  3. ONE
  4. HENRY
  5. TWO
  6. EMMA
  7. THREE
  8. HENRY
  9. FOUR
  10. EMMA
  11. FIVE
  12. EMMA
  13. SIX
  14. SEVEN
  15. HENRY
  16. EIGHT
  17. NINE
  18. TEN
  19. HENRY
  20. ELEVEN
  21. TWELVE
  22. EMMA
  23. THIRTEEN
  24. HENRY
  25. FOURTEEN
  26. HENRY
  27. FIFTEEN
  28. SIXTEEN
  29. EMMA
  30. SEVENTEEN
  31. HENRY
  32. EIGHTEEN
  33. HENRY
  34. NINETEEN
  35. HENRY
  36. TWENTY
  37. TWENTY-ONE
  38. EMMA
  39. TWENTY-TWO
  40. EMMA
  41. TWENTY-THREE
  42. HENRY
  43. TWENTY-FOUR
  44. EMMA
  45. TWENTY-FIVE
  46. EMMA
  47. TWENTY-SIX
  48. EMMA
  49. TWENTY-SEVEN
  50. HENRY
  51. TWENTY-EIGHT
  52. EMMA
  53. TWENTY-NINE
  54. HENRY
  55. THIRTY
  56. HENRY
  57. THIRTY-ONE
  58. HENRY
  59. THIRTY-TWO
  60. EMMA
  61. THIRTY-THREE
  62. HENRY
  63. THIRTY-FOUR
  64. EMMA
  65. THIRTY-FIVE
  66. EMMA
  67. THIRTY-SIX
  68. HENRY
  69. THIRTY-SEVEN
  70. EMMA
  71. THIRTY-EIGHT
  72. HENRY
  73. THIRTY-NINE
  74. HENRY
  75. FORTY
  76. EMMA
  77. FORTY-ONE
  78. HENRY
  79. FORTY-TWO
  80. FORTY-THREE
  81. EMMA
  82. FORTY-FOUR
  83. EMMA
  84. FORTY-FIVE
  85. HENRY
  86. EPILOGUE
  87. ALSO BY CHELSEA CURTO
  88. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  89. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I perk up at the shift in her demeanor. Maybe it’s not a lost cause after all. Emma is many wonderful things, but a good liar is not included on the long list.

A for effort though, Sunflower.

“We aren’t here to talk about how attractive I may find you. Which I don’t.”

“Of course. My apologies. Maybe we can discuss this later, not in my office? Are you free tonight? Or this weekend?”

She smooths out her dress, picking a piece of invisible lint off the material and flicking it away. Wow. She’s really trying to avoid looking at me.

It’s cute.

“I’m unavailable tonight.”

“Do you have an event? With another guy?”

“I didn’t stop working when I agreed to accompany you, and I don’t intend to do so now. You’re not my sole priority.”

My fists clench involuntarily at the thought of someone else spending intimate time with her. Someone else learning her secrets and ambitions, goals and dreams. Someone else turning her on, goosebumps erupting on her skin as they whisper bullshit lovey dovey words in her ear, her proud, stoic facade changing to a giggly pile of goop.

She’s not yours, Dawson. Reel it the fuck back.

“What about this weekend?” I begin to tap my thigh. Emma watches my fingers drum on my slacks and her face softens.

“Why don’t we meet for coffee Sunday morning? This time we’ll actually get drinks, instead of one of us storming out. That’s only a few days away.”

“I can do Sunday.”

“Good. 8 a.m. at Beans and Brews again. Until then, have a good rest of your week, Henry.” She gives me a parting half-smile before dipping out of my office, leaving me alone.

I groan, collapsing back into my chair. Fumbling with my phone, I pull up my group chat with the guys.

HD: I need to talk to someone.

HD: Please tell me you all are free later.

JL: I am. Jo’s out with her best friend tonight and told me I better not sit at home alone.

NR: Sorry, I have a thing. Everything okay? Is this a 911?

PW: Talent show night at school, so I’m busy until late. Are you okay?

NL: I have to go look at wedding venues tonight, but I can meet after.

JL: H, come over. I have beer and I can make some burgers.

HD: Thanks, J. I’ll be there around 7.

EIGHTEEN

HENRY

“I know you didn’t come over here to eat my food. You better start spilling what’s going on,” Jack says later that evening, handing me a heaping pile of homemade food.

“Where the hell do I start?” I groan. “Remember how I told you guys about the anniversary party my parents are having? And how I hired someone to be my girlfriend?”