Wrapped in Silk (2 page)

~

Emma’s phone rang and she stopped and answered.

“We are here Mommy
,” London said cheerfully, “It is so nice right on the beach and we are going to look for shells!”

“That’s
fantastic; can you find one for me?” Emma asked.

“I will find two
,” she said and laughed.

“Do you have sunscreen on?” she asked
knowing Troy would have forgotten.

“Nope, Dad I need sunscreen
,” London yelled.

“Shit
,” she heard him say in the background.

“I love you more
,” Emma said.

“We love each other more Mom
,” London said.

“Okay have fun, call me
later,” Emma said and felt tears, she ran harder as the tears fell.

C
ome on she is having fun she thought
. She rounded a corner and ran right into a man. She was knocked flat on her back. He knelt down on the grass next to her and helped her sit up. She couldn’t breathe; the wind was knocked out of her. Being unable to breathe made the tears slow down.

“I am so sorry
,” he said noticing her tears. “Are you alright?”

Emma
caught her breath and wiped her face and laughed
nice accent she thought
, “I am fine. Sorry I wasn’t paying attention,” Emma saw his face; she was looking at the hottest man she had ever seen. His lips were full, teeth perfect, his jaw strong, and his hair looked like he had just rolled out of bed and definitely not after sleeping. 

“Alright,” he said
uncomfortable as he picked up his hat and pulled it down over his head, “You know who I am, is that why you’re laughing?”

“Nope
,” she said, “I am laughing because I didn’t expect an accent and I am on my butt in Central Park and no one seems to notice.”

Brody liked her eyes and smile. He was unsure
whether or not to trust that she was being honest. But something in her eyes was calming and made him feel better than he had in weeks, “So you don’t know me from TV, magazines, or newspapers?”

“Let’s see
if you are not on Disney or Nickelodeon I don’t have a clue,” Emma smiled.

He smiled
with relief and amusement as he offered his hand to help her up and she took it, “Thanks, so who are you?” she asked.

He grinned,
“You’ll figure it out someday,” and ran off.

~

Emma ran back to her hotel and took a shower and packed up. She checked out of the hotel to drive to Lila’s building. She pulled out of the parking garage and she checked out the yellow lined paper she had scribbled the directions on. Her GPS had become her arch rival, she was self admittedly technologically challenged. Emma took the elevator to the tenth floor of the beautiful tall building and used the key that Lila had left for her with the doorman to let herself in.

There was a note on the counter.

Emma,

I will be at work until abou
t seven. Make yourself at home. Then we are going out, you should meet me at The Spotted Pig 314 West 11
th
street, we can have drinks. Take a cab.

See you
at eight,

Lila

Emma looked at her phone it was only one in the afternoon. She had seven hours to spend alone, a very unwelcome seven hours.
This isn’t a good idea, if I were home at least I could visit, clean or something she thought
. She preferred anything to being alone to think about what had happened over the past year.

~

Emma walked in to the bar and saw Lila. She smiled and hugged her. “You look extraordinary,” Lila said and hugged her, “Have a seat.”

Emma took a deep breath and sat down at the table. She met some of Lila’s
clients; she really didn’t know them but enjoyed the adult conversation. She excused herself and went to the bathroom secretly willing her phone to ring.

As she washed her hands it
rang. “Hi Mommy, I am going to bed now. I had fun,” London said with a smile in her voice.

“I am so happy for you!” Emma smiled as she spoke to London.

When they got off the phone she felt tears. She decided to walk outside to regain her composure before going back to Lila and her friends. She had her head down as she walked out.

Emma stood against the brick building not paying attention to the people walking
in and out. Most people would be enchanted by the city and its surroundings. Emma just wanted to go home with her daughter and curl up on the couch watching a movie they had probably seen a hundred times, where everything ended perfectly. She took a deep breath and walked back in and made her way back to the table. A couple more people had joined the party and Lila was talking and laughing with them.

“Where did you disappear to?” Lila asked grabbing her jacket.

“The bathroom, London called,” Emma said forcing herself to smile.

“We are going to head over to a dance club, here is your jacket
,” Lila said handing the black coat to Emma.

Emma and Lila
walked past security and made their way into the club. They walked through the crowd and up a set of stairs to the VIP lounge. Lila hugged and kissed a couple people on the cheek and ordered drinks.

“You need to loosen up Emma
,” she smiled, “We are going to dance tonight.”

Emma smiled and took a drink. More people walked in to the VIP lounge and Lila introduced them to Emma. The first was a man she recognized from TV.
Emma wasn’t sure exactly who he was but she knew he was a celebrity.

“
Brody this is my college roommate Emma, Emma this is my newest client Brody Hines.”

Emma looked up and shook his hand. He also looked fa
miliar.

“Nice to meet you
,” Emma smiled politely.

Brody
smiled when he saw her eyes, he knew exactly who she was, she didn’t recognize him at all.

“You too,
” he said disguising his accent.

“Let’s go dance
,” Lila said to Emma as she handed her another drink and dragged her down the stairs.

The two danced and Lila was having a blast. Emma was obviously uncomfortable and Lila laughed, “Been awhile since you’ve been out Emma? Come on have another drink, it’ll loosen you up.”

Emma drank a couple more vodka and cranberry’s and started to loosen up.

Brody
sat with his friends in the lounge away from the crowd. He could see the dance floor and watched Lila’s friend Emma dance, he couldn’t believe she was the one he had run into this morning. She was pretty, long caramel hair and green eyes.

Why does she seem sad
, he wondered.

Emma and Lila walked back up to the lounge. Emma grabbed her bag and grabbed her phone. There were no missed calls, she was
relieved that everything was alright but wanted to talk to London.

Probably not a good idea since you’re buzzing and it was ten o’clock at night, she thought.

“Emma come sit
,” Lila said pointing to the chair next to her, “Everything alright?”

“Yes everything is fine
,” Emma said putting her phone away.

“Have another drink
,” Lila said handing her one.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Emma smiled.

“You are with me tonight, it’s a great idea,” Lila laughed and handed her another drink.

“I think I should drink beer, thi
s is going to give me a hangover,” Emma laughed.

Brody
handed her a beer, “I think I owe you one,” he smiled.

“Thank you,
” Emma said and looked confused.

He laughed and walked away.
She
has no idea who I am, that’s a relief
.
He thought
.

“Who is that Lila?”
Emma asked.

Emma laughed, “
Brody Hines, he is a singer, newly separated and he is a hothead.”

“That’s not true Lila,”
Brody laughed from behind her. “Just tell it like it is.”

“Sorry
Brody,” Lila smiled.

“No that’s fine
, I have been called much worse,” he smiled. “Emma is it?”

“Yes,” Emma said
embarrassed that he had heard her ask Lila who he was.

“I met yo
u earlier today, at the park.” he smiled, “I literally ran you over.”

“Oh, ok
ay, well thank you for the drink,” Emma smiled.

“Did I hurt you?”
Brody asked.

“No, I am fine,
” Emma blushed.

“Good, would you like to dance?”
Brody asked.

“No I don’t think that is a good idea,” Emma smiled and looked away.

“You afraid you’ll end up on the ground again?” he smiled.

“Yep that’s it exactly,” Emma said
and laughed and walked to the bathroom.

When she came out Lila yelled to her from t
he dance floor. Emma and Lila were both intoxicate and they danced and acted outlandishly. Emma was having fun and they were joined by Brody and a few others from the lounge. The music slowed down and Brody grabbed Emma’s hand.

“One
dance?” Brody insisted.

“Sure why not
,” Emma giggled.

“Do you like this song?” he asked
as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Never heard it,” she smiled,
wow this feels so…okay stop it
she told herself.

“Well do you like it?”
Brody asked.

“It’s alright, do you?” she asked.

“I do,” Brody said and smiled. “So what kind of music do you like?”

“Anyt
hing I can sing along with, most everything,” Emma answered.

“But this one is just alright?”
Brody asked looking confused.

“No it’s nice,” she said and all of the sudden her stomach ached and she felt dizzy.
Oh no she thought.
“Excuse me,” She said as she ran towards the back entry.

Brody
followed her knowing she was not feeling well. He walked up to her after she threw up and handed her a tissue.

“Did that song make you ill?” he asked trying not to laugh at her.

“Thank you,” she said embarrassed and looking away. “And no it wasn’t the song; it was all the vodka and beer. I don’t do this often.”

“Should I get Lila?”
Brody asked.

“No I will be fine,
thank you for the tissue,” Emma said as she walked towards the door. He followed her in.

“What’s going on?” Lila asked smiling.

“I think the song made your friend sick,” Brody said before walking away.

Emma woke up at six in the morning. She didn’t need an alarm anymore it was just something that happened naturally after seven years.
She decided to go for a run and stop by and get coffee for her and Lila. She was back by seven thirty and sat looking at help wanted ads online.

“Good morning Emma, I was sure you would sleep in after last night,” Lila laughed.

“I don’t sleep in, I wish I could,” she laughed. “I brought you an iced coffee, I hope you still like the vanilla,” Emma said handing it to her.

“I haven’t had this since college Emma, thanks,” Lila smiled. “What are you looking for?”

“A job,” she laughed.

“What do you want to do?” Lila asked.

“Probably something with my degree, my dream job would be flexible. I need to be able to available for London. She is at school from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. I have done child care so that I am with her all summer as well. Maybe I should go back to school and teach, and then I would have summers off,” Emma thought out loud.

“Yes and make crappy money. You always wanted to edit, why don’t you try that?” Lila asked.

“I would have to move,” Emma said. “We have made enough changes in the past six months.”

“What about freelance work?” Lila asked.

“Benefits and a steady paycheck, I have a child,” Emma laughed.

“Okay but I have some connections Emma, you could do it. I would like to help you.” Lila said and hugged her.

“Okay I will look into it. Reading all day would be a dream,” Emma smiled.
A dream… not a reality, she thought.
“I am going to take a shower.”

When Emma got out of the sho
wer she heard Lila on the phone.

“It’s not the end of the world. This is exactly why you hir
ed me, let me take care of this,” Lila said and looked at Emma who was walking through the door. “Why don’t you come over, the three of us can discuss this,” Lila smiled nervously towards Emma.