Catch But Don't Release

Chapter 19

The workday finally ended, and for the first time since she’d started at the company, Emily felt like she’d accomplished absolutely nothing. Her mind had been a mess—Brody’s kiss replaying in loops, her heart tripping over itself every time she remembered the way he’d whispered her name.

She stepped outside into the cool evening air and spotted Elijah waiting near the sidewalk, hands shoved in his pockets, expression unreadable. She forced a small smile and walked with him toward the parking lot.

They exchanged a few light words—nothing deep, nothing heavy—just enough to confirm they’d meet at the bar down the street to talk. Elijah nodded, then headed to his car. Emily slipped into hers, exhaling as she reached for her seatbelt.

Her phone buzzed.

Brody.

Her pulse jumped.

Do you have plans tonight?

Emily hesitated only a second before replying.

I’m meeting Elijah at the bar to talk.

The message delivered. No dots. No reply.

She frowned. Brody wasn’t the type to leave her hanging—not after the way he’d kissed her. But she pushed the thought aside, started her car, and drove.

Elijah was already outside waiting, pacing a little. When he saw her, he straightened and opened the door for her. They walked in together, finding a small table tucked off to the side. The lighting was dim, the hum of conversation low enough to give them privacy.

A waiter came by, took their drink orders, and left.

The moment he was gone, Elijah leaned forward, elbows on the table.

“Emily… I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to date the boss.”

Her stomach tightened. “Elijah—”

“I’m serious.” His voice sharpened. “He’s your boss. He has power over you. And honestly? I think he’s using you. Guys like him always do.”

Emily’s brows pulled together. “That’s not fair. You don’t even know him.”

Elijah’s jaw flexed. “I know enough.”

She shook her head. “No. You’re wrong.”

He exhaled hard, then looked at her with something raw in his eyes. “Emily… I’m saying this because I care about you. Because I—” He swallowed. “I have feelings for you.”

Emily froze.

Her heart dropped.

“Elijah…” she whispered, stunned. “I… I didn’t know.”

He reached across the table, trying to take her hand.

Emily pulled back immediately.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly but firmly. “I’ve always loved and respected you as a friend. But nothing more.”

A flicker of annoyance crossed his face—quick, but unmistakable.

“So you’re choosing him,” he muttered. “The boss. Of course.”

“Elijah, that’s not what I said.”

He scoffed, shaking his head, muttering something under his breath about Brody that made her chest tighten with discomfort.

That was it.

“I can’t do this,” Emily said, grabbing her purse. “I’m going home. We’ll talk again when you’re calm.”

She stood and walked out quickly, her pulse racing. She made it halfway across the parking lot before she heard footsteps behind her.

“Elijah?” she turned, startled.

He caught up to her, breath uneven. “Please, Emily. Just give me a chance.”

Her panic spiked. “Elijah, what is wrong with you? We’ll talk later. You’re too worked up right now.”

She reached for her car door, but he stepped in front of it, blocking her.

“Just hear me out,” he insisted, voice strained.

“Elijah, move,” she said, voice trembling.

He didn’t.

And then—

A low, controlled voice cut through the tension.

“Is there a problem?”

Emily’s breath hitched.

Brody.

He stood a few feet away, posture calm but eyes sharp, taking in the scene with chilling clarity.

Elijah turned, annoyed. “Of course you would show up. Who invited you? Stay out of this. It’s none of your business.”

Brody didn’t even look at him. His eyes were on Emily. “Are you okay?”

Emily nodded quickly. “Yes. I was just leaving.”

She tried again to open her car door, but Elijah grabbed her wrist.

Her breath caught.

“Elijah—”

“Emily, please,” he begged. “I’m better than him.”

Brody moved instantly.

His hand landed on Elijah’s shoulder—not rough, but firm enough to stop him cold.

“Hey,” Brody said, voice low and dangerous. “Let her go. Emily is going home.”

The tension thickened, electric, coiled.

Elijah’s jaw clenched, but he released her wrist.

Emily didn’t wait. She slipped into her car, shut the door, and drove off with her heart pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat.

The drive home did nothing to settle her nerves.

Emily’s hands were still trembling on the steering wheel, her pulse fluttering in a way she couldn’t control. She kept replaying the parking lot—Elijah’s voice, his grip on her wrist, the look in his eyes she’d never seen before. It rattled her. It scared her. And it didn’t feel like him at all.

By the time she pulled into her parking garage, she was exhausted from thinking. She told herself tomorrow would be better. Tomorrow they could talk like normal people. Tomorrow he’d apologize, and she’d forgive him, and things would go back to the way they were.

She clung to that hope like a lifeline.

Inside, she changed into pajama pants and a soft T‑shirt, trying to shake off the night. She tied her hair up, grabbed a book, and sat cross‑legged on her bed, determined to lose herself in anything that wasn’t her own thoughts.

She had barely made it through the first page when her doorbell rang.

Emily froze.

Her heart thudded once—hard.

Nobody ever came to her place unannounced.

Slowly, she set the book aside and slid off the bed. Every step toward the front door made her pulse climb higher, her breath shorter. She wasn’t sure if she was nervous, scared, or something else entirely.

She unlocked the door and pulled it open.

And the moment she saw who was standing there—

Her heart went into overdrive.