Collide (Collide #1)(71)

One corner of Natasha's mouth tipped in a satisfied smile before she took her seat next to him. "Sorry I took so long. Like, I had to totally empty out my purse to find my lipstick."

Emily drew in a long breath and almost jumped up when she felt a large hand squeezing her shoulder gently. She turned around, and it was Dillon. Meeting his gaze, she tried to get her heart to slow from its frantic shock of the conversation that had just ended.

The waiter eventually brought their food. Heated glances exchanged between her and Gavin for the remainder of the meal kept Emily's hands nervously dancing with her silverware.

After being forced to endure an hour of mind-f*cking conversation regarding Dillon's concern over Gavin's stock portfolio choices, Emily was elated when the couples finally retreated to Dillon's car, putting an end to the afternoon that had left her stomach in knots. She was practically silent during their drive across the city to drop off Gavin and Natasha at his place, but if Dillon noticed her sudden change in demeanor, he didn't comment. When they arrived at Gavin's high-rise, Emily claimed she wasn't feeling well, grasping for any excuse to stay in the car while Dillon walked them up to the entrance. He politely kissed Natasha's cheek and bade his farewell to Gavin with a firm shake of his hand. While Dillon was heading back to the car, Emily's eyes were magnetically drawn to Gavin, who was holding the door open for Natasha as she sauntered into the lobby flipping her hair. Before he followed Natasha into the building, Gavin turned around with both of his hands buried in his front pockets and threw Emily one last longing, piercing stare that would stay burned into her memory for the rest of the afternoon.

Dillon lounged into his seat and smiled. "Ready for some Fifth Avenue shopping?"

Although feeling like she had just escaped from a psychiatric ward, Emily plastered one of her own fake smiles on her face and nodded to Dillon. "Yes, let's get out of here."




The mid-morning air in Central Park was mild but cooler than usual for the second week of August. Emily spread a small sheet under one of the maple trees that provided shade from the vibrant brightness of the sun. Placing her backpack beside her, she took out its contents, which consisted of two sandwiches, a couple of bottles of water, and her favorite novel, Wuthering Heights. All she needed now was Dillon. When she glanced at her watch, she noticed he was already twenty minutes late. As the city around her hummed its daily incessant chatter - even in the serene peace of the park - she decided to give him a call to find out what was taking him so long.

He answered on the first ring, his voice traveling through the phone with a hint of remorse. "Please don't be mad at me."

Taken aback by his greeting, she didn't speak.

"Em, are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here, but you're not. Where are you?"

"I'm in New Jersey, but - "

"You're in New Jersey?" she interrupted. "Dillon, what the heck? I'm sitting in Central Park by myself."

"Emily, would you just let me explain?"

"Fine, Dillon, explain."

"Remember the Japanese tycoon I told you was interested in investing with Morgan and Buckingham?" He paused, awaiting her reply, but none came. "Takatsuki Yamamoto?"

"Get to the point."

"Shit, Emily, I'm trying to."

She let out a sigh, and he continued.

"He flew in from Japan last night and is only out here for the next two days. He asked to meet with me personally. I got the call early this morning from my boss, telling me to come out here." He answered a question directed at him from someone else in the background while Emily waited patiently. "Babe, I have to go. I'm sorry, but this account is huge."