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“I saw that you rushed right past the coffee stand today for that early phone conference. Admit it, I’m a lifesaver.”
Why is she so good to me?
“You’re a lifesaver,” Vivian admitted reluctantly, smiling despite herself. She would kill for a cup of coffee right now. Fortunately for her, Emma handed the cup over quickly, smirking as Vivian gulped down a few sips, sighing in bliss. How Emma had figured out her favorite order was beyond her, but she was grateful for it.
“Here is the analysis you requested. Did you want to give me the meeting notes to annotate?”
“Please.” The meeting had been long and boring, and Vivian wasn’t interested in dwelling on its notes any longer than she had to. “Thanks, Emma.”
“Sure thing!” Emma said brightly. She left, throwing a smile over her shoulder.
Why did she have to be so irresistible? It wasn’t fair. Vivian hated that she’d hurt Emma. She sometimes saw a shadow of pain surface amidst Emma’s usual cheerfulness, a shadow that hadn’t been there before Vivian had fucked everything up—literally.
However, it was best this way. She knew that she had nothing to give to someone like Emma. She wasn’t fit for a relationship at all. She couldn’t commit to giving her all into a relationship, and Emma deserved someone who could love her wholeheartedly, more than their business and career.
Vivian had good reasons to stay away from others emotionally; reasons she was having to remind herself of more and more often lately.
It was better this way. She and Emma would get over this brief infatuation. It wasn’t like she’d have to give up Emma entirely—Emma was her assistant, after all, and they would still see each other plenty.
A few minutes later, Emma knocked again, appearing troubled. “Vivian?”
“Yes, Emma?”
“I just got a call from Lily’s school. She’s got a temperature and they want to send her home. I’ve already made some calls, but no one seems to be available to babysit for the day.”
Vivian would have loved to offer Lily a place at the company daycare, but like Lily’s school, they had a strict no-sick-kids policy. It was for everyone’s protection. She really needed Emma’s help today, what with gearing up for a new big business deal, but of course, Emma’s family was more important.
“You’re welcome to take the day off, Emma.”
“But I can’t leave you today! You need me.”
Vivian couldn’t argue with that. An idea occurred to her, something she wouldn’t offer any other employee, but this was Emma.
“Bring her here, then. We’ll put her in one of the unused conference rooms so that she doesn’t spread whatever she has around the office, and you can check on her throughout the day. We could use the one with the TV in it so that she has something to watch.”
“Really? That would be amazing! Are you sure, though?”
“Of course I am. Go get her—I’d love to meet her.”
Emma gave Vivian a brilliant smile, the kind of smile that lit up the room around her. “Thanks, Vivian! I’ll see you soon.”
Vivian’s work meant that she lost track of time easily, so it seemed like mere minutes later when Emma was knocking on the door again, followed by a child who looked like her in miniature.
“Lily, say hello to Vivian, my boss.”
“Hello,” Lily said brightly. She turned to Emma. “You’re right, Mom, she is pretty.”
Poor Emma went bright red and started stammering apologies, but Vivian just laughed. “Thanks for the compliment—from both of you. It’s very nice to meet you, Lily. I’ve got a room with a TV - we have set up a sofa for you. Do you require anything else.”
“Ice cream?” Lily asked hopefully.
“Nice try, girl.” Emma patted her on the shoulder. “You get ice cream on the weekend, like usual.”
“But I’m sick!” Lily pouted.
“All the more reason to boost your immune system with some nice healthy fruits and vegetables. You get to spend the entire day watching TV; that’s your sympathy treat for being sick—no screen time limit.”
Lily looked slightly mollified by this and allowed Emma to lead her away.
