Page 16 of Modern Persuasion

Patrick turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, you're good. You may be the Empress of Book Tours."

"What?" I asked, blinking rapidly and turning to him.

He lifted his chin in Fredrick's direction. "Dealing with social anxiety issues? This many people really make him anxious. I hate having to anchor to him, but you do it naturally."

I turned back to watch Fredrick, not wanting to make eye contact with Patrick. "I'm not doing anything."

He let out a low chuckle. "Look, Emma, I know. You clearly haven't told people, but he has. I know all of it. He's not just a client. He's my best friend."

He was right. I hadn't told anyone at home about the most important relationship of my life. There had been no point. This confirmed that I needed to assume everyone in Los Angeles would know who I was to Fredrick.

"I appreciate your loyalty to him," I whispered, not sure what else to say.

Patrick put his hand on my arm and lowered his voice. "When I came out, he was the one who stood by me. He introduced me to Victor. I love him like a brother. I knew he was in love with you before you knew he was in love with you. I knew he was going to propose before you did."

I took a deep breath and turned back to Patrick. "He never talked about his friends in LA."

"Maybe you just didn't hear him. I get the impression you compartmentalize things."

I didn't know what to say in response to this. I thought about it quickly, speeding through the times we had talked about our lives beyond the borders of Chicago. I had kept plenty of details from him as if I always knew things would end once we graduated. Had he never told me about his friends, or had I ignored what he had said, assuming I would never meet them?

"Don't worry, I am here to keep the peace," Patrick said when I didn't respond. "Feel free to use your intimate knowledge of him to make this tour easier. I understand you're not here by choice. So far, you have been more amazing than I ever dreamed. You have been professional, attentive, and focused."

I shifted in my seat. "Why are you telling me this?"

Patrick took a deep breath. "I don't want to play games, and it's clear someone around you is. It's been eight years, and a lot has changed for both of you. I appreciate the effort you're making and how gracefully you've handled this so far. He's incapable of acknowledging all of that right now, but you need to hear it."

I looked down at my hands, trying to remember the last time anyone I worked with had said these things to me. "Thank you," I whispered.

Chapter Eleven

I felt more confident as I prepared for the New York Public Library benefit dinner the next day. Louisa and I went there after the second reading and signing. The items we donated for the auction had all arrived. We checked little details before going to the salon for a quick style, mani, and pedi. I got back to the apartment, got dressed, and took a cab to the library. I was pleased with my dress. The full A-line skirt was embroidered with black flowers. I wore my mother's pearl necklace and pearl clips in my hair that had been pulled back in a bun. My black open-toe shoes showed off my bright red toenails. I looked good but understated, so I would blend easily. When I walked into the large library doors, I found Fredrick sitting in his tux on a bench at the foot of the stairs that led up to the room where the benefit was taking place.

"Wow!" I heard from my left and turned to see Patrick walking toward us, his phone in his hand.

"Thanks," I said as I walked up to them, my face turning pink.

"I am going to get Louisa. She just sent me a text saying she's almost here. Wait here with Fredrick," Patrick said before walking away again.

I sighed and turned to Fredrick, whose bow tie was crooked. He started to get to his feet.

"Sit, I have to fix your tie," I said and stood in front of him.

"When did you learn to tie a bow tie?" Fredrick asked, his eyebrows knitting together.

"Oh, Freddy," I whispered and let out a small sigh. "I've always known. This is my world."

He said nothing and looked straight ahead (and later, I realized right into my cleavage) while I fiddled, making sure his tie was perfect. When I was done, I took a deep breath and inhaled the musky orange scent that I've always associated with him.

"Oh, Emma, you look so pretty!" I heard Louisa say as she walked up to us.

I turned to find her in a slinky red dress and garish red heels. Again, her shoe choice made me question her taste.

"You do as well," I lied.

To be fair, Louisa was a whole foot shorter than Fredrick and needed the three-inch heels to gain some height. She was also comfortable in high heels from years of wearing them. I was sure she would feel out of place in flats. I stepped back and watched as Louisa took Fredrick's arm. As the two walked up the stairs, I turned to Patrick, who offered me his arm.

"My Empress," he said.