Knots Between Us

Chapter Twenty

Just when she thought she made a break through with him, he had to go and do that. It’s always her fault one way or another.  Emma angrily wiped a tear as she rushed out of the elevator in to the lobby, she was almost out the door.

"Miss Rhoads!" she heard Max the building manager call after her. She stopped and waited for him to catch up, Emma composed herself.

"Glad I caught you, here is a key card for the freight elevator and the storage room, I got the typewriter you asked for and the rest of equipment installed in there for you." He said handing her the card. Emma took the card dazedly, thanking him she turned.

"oh one more thing the freight elevator is acting a little wonky so avoid using it for the time being" Max explained.

Emma thanked him absently and left. She breathed in the fresh crisp air, trying calm the anger and frustration. As if on auto pilot, she found herself in line of the cafe across the street. She ordered a small latte with an extra shot of espresso and a Chocolate chip muffin. Her mind was blank and she couldn't seem to understand how everything always went so wrong.

"Is this seat taken?" a smooth voice snapped her out of her dark mind. Looking up, there stood Jason, with his dark blonde hair gelled back and his neatly shaven face smiling down at her.

"Hi " he said smiling brightly, and helping himself in the seat across from her.

"hi" shifting awkwardly in her seat

"we really got to stop meeting like this or you might think I was stalking you" 

Emma frowned at his sense of humor.

"It IS pretty weird how you are always there when I am having a bad day" Emma said half joking.

"some may call it fate; I am here when you need me the most" Jason said leaning forward with a flirty look.

Emma cleared her throat uncomfortably. She couldn't quiet put her finger on it but there was something about Jason that just didn't feel right. He seemed like a decent enough guy, who have had helped her when she needed it, but the awkwardness she felt around him was always there. She continued to simile and nod as Jason started a conversation about random things, giving him a one or two word answers. 

"Maybe I could take you, I am a pretty good skater " He said finally getting Emma's full attention.

"oh um, my schedule is a bit all over right now, I am kind of working 24/7 to be honest."

"oh come on, it will be fun, Sunday. He has to give a Sunday off." Jason pressed.

" um, I don't know, what exactly are you asking me?" Emma asked cautiously.

"I am asking you out on a date?" Jason smirked 

"Jason, I am not looking for a relationship right now, especially since I am here for another few weeks. I don't.."

"One date Emma, you never know where it will lead."

"unless, there is already someone else you..." He added, when she hesitated.

Sebastian came to her mind when he said that, Emma frowned at the guilt that stabbed at her, like she was betraying him or something. 

Jason was not used to having a girl hesitate from being with him, it was usually the opposite. He had women throwing themselves at him, but not this one. All he knew was that he couldn't stop thinking about her, she was the hottest girl he had yet to meet. She was a natural beauty, her face very easy to read. She was making his anger perk with her hesitation. 

"You know what you are right." Jason frowned at her resolved filled voice.

"How about this Saturday." Emma said pushing down the guilt feeling, because there was nothing to be guilty about.

"Yeah, yeah definitely, I will text you" he replied baffled.   

"I have to get back, but text me the details" Emma said slinging her bag over one shoulder. Jason got up walking her out and saying their good byes.

Jason looked supersized by her sudden change of mind, was she just playing hard to get, trying to get him interested. If so, she succeeded, she had his undivided attention, he craved her, and he will have her soon enough.  His smile faded as he watched her hurrying across the street to the Rask building.

A nervous sweat and anger flared, of all places, why did it have to be that building. 

"Jace?!"

Startled, he turned to find Danielle hurrying towards him. Fear gripped him, his gazes shifting between Emma and then to Danielle. His heart sighing in relief when Emma entered the building without noticing Danielle.

Forcing a smile, he waved at Danielle. She hurried over into his arms and settling her head under his chin. Danielle missed him like crazy, in his arms she felt safe and relaxed.

"Missed you too, Bambi" Jason said hugging her back, his nick name for her making her smile against this chest.

They met each other at a hospital 10 years ago, she had been admitted for pneumonia, something that could have killed Danielle easily. Jason had been volunteering at the same hospital as an orderly. He found her on the roof one night, contemplating stopping all pain for good. He had called her Bambi that first night, trying not to spook her.

Sebastian had been livid when he found out, there was hell to pay for the hospital. If Danielle hadn't calmed him down that place would have burned to the ground. Which it kind of did, Sebastian had bought the place and the whole hospital management had been changed. Now it was the leading hospital in the nation.  Jason's empathy and understanding made her smile and kept her strong for the duration of her stay.  After that, rest was history.

Pulling back Danielle kissed her now husband of eight years, savoring his lips.

"when did you get back, why didn't you tell me, I would've ..." Jason cut her off by kissing her.

"Surprise" he whispered against her lips, making her smile.

"I love you"

"love you too, Bambi" she hugged him again.

"speaking of surprises, guess what?" she said pulling back from him 

"we got the grants and contracts of the Trauma center, we can start building" she happily continued, when Jason looked her questioningly.

"No way" faking an unbelieving look.

"that is amazing" when Danielle nodded enthusiastically, hugging her again.

"come on, since you are here let’s go see Sebastian, he will so happy to see you" she attempted to drag him to the office, but knowing that Emma was in the same office made nervous.

"uh, babe, as happy as I am for him, I missed my wife." he said bringing her close to him nuzzling her neck.

"A lot" he whispered. A blush crept up Danielle, she pulled back.

"we will have dinner to celebrate, you can call him for now" she said blushing.

"Definitely, but I need a few days to myself and my sexy lady for first" he said grinding himself against her.

Jason smiled as Danielle believed every sweet lie he told, hand in hand they started towards her car.