The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 100

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ter 100

I thought about our last real real encounter–him leaving me stranded on that street corner, driving of

And then there was that’s that sham job interview, orchestrated specifically to humiliate me.

I took a slow, delibedat berate breath and opened my phone settings.

Block Contactontact.

The prompt opus appeared: Are you sure you want to block this number?

My thumb did didn’t hesitate.

out family comes first.

ship to salvage. They They

Confirtionfirm.

The mess message disappeared from my screen. Then I blocked Robert’s email addresses for good good measure. E had bemd been wrapped too tightly around my throat.

I stard stared out the hotel window at Portland’s overcast sky, at the fishing boats boobts to the in the harbor.

This This has nothing to do with me anymore.

I’d learned something these days. I’d learned it from Daniel’s quiet support, from from Grandmas unconditio loyalty. I’d learned it from my own hard–won independence.

I don’t owe them anything.

their vision of holof how

When I arrived at the exhibition center, there transformed ormed

The first two days had been all business–serious collectors in expense sense suits, musical instrument own representatives from auction houses making notes on tablets. The ties atsphere had been hushed, almost instruments worth more than most people’s houses.

gianity, my pain ever

Now, with

1. a. Always looking for the next

commercial dealings concluded, the space had op ad pened to the general public.

Families with children pressed their noses against dispisy quay cares. Elderly couples moved slowly from ext each other. College students took selfies in front of punticular cufurly ornate preces.

The energy had shifted from transaction to appreciationcubed

“Emma!” Chloe waved me over to the booth, where a late ad formed. We need help with the inscurrunte

pfather a business out of the

I hurried over, grabbing a tray of the delest accounts. The promotion had box

fate french foods wed buen giving near to anyone who fell wat way to but du sulme presence for future escuts.

One per person.” I reminded a broad erians ebwód was trying to soap three But if you get your Qriends to

1/4

8:46 am P PP

eaving me stranded on the street corner, driving off without a backward glance.

rchestrated specificato humiliate me.

Chapter

She grinned and pulled out

phone settings

block ths’s number?

The work was mindless, repet of interviews, photography, an

No careful framing of question seeing people s faces light up o

“Emma!” Eve appeared beside m

‘I think you’re giving me too ma

bbocked Robert’s email addresses for good measure. Each action felt like cutting a thread that

‘Not at all. You’ve more than ear

work, the interviews, photography

“You’re paying me very generously,

cest sky, at the fishing boats bobbing in the harbor.

Eve studied me for a moment, then

just do the minimum.“

from Daniel’s quiet support, from Grandma’s unconditional acceptance, from Olivia’s fierce

dependence.

“Well, I appreciate the opportunity.”

“Emma-

ansformed.

“Please,” I interrupted gently. You’ve

Eve’s smile widened. ‘Alright. There’s a

s collectors in expensive suits, musical instrument owners with calculating eyes,

tes on tablets. The atmosphere had been hushed, almost reverent, as people examined

ses.

By noon, the morning rush at the exhibit

Eve caught my eye across the boch ans

he space had opened to the general public,

st display cases. Elderly couples moved slowly from exhibit to exhibit, reading placards aloud to t of particularly ornate pieces.

The bistro Eve chose was tucked bea ceiling, and the scent of fresh bread me s

The hostess led as to a quiet labie beë

reciation.

Once we’d underest, she leaned

ere a line had formed. “We need help with the macarons!”

ench cookies we’d been giving away to anyone who followed the exhibition’s social media.

way to build our online presence for future events.

was trying to snag three. “But if you get your friends to follow us too, you can wach have 10.

she sud, swering the one is hen

She said, her tea light bu CÓTRANS

8:46 am

pp

Chapter 100

She grinned and pulled out her phone, already herding her group toward the QR code display.

The work was mindless, repetitive–smile, scan, distribute, repeat–but there was something soothing about it after the intense earlie of interviews, photography, and frantically typing up notes for my article.

reful framing of questions, no anxiety about capturing the perfect shot, no pressure to meet word counts. Just simple human int

people’s faces light up over a small treat.

!” Eve appeared beside me, her expression warm with approval. “Thank goodness you’re here. You really helped me a lot.”

think you’re giving me too much credit,” I said, handing a macaron to an elderly woman who thanked me in careful French.

“Not at all. You’ve more than earned your keep these days.” Eve glanced at the steadily moving line, then back at me. “Between the trans work, the interviews, photography, and now this.”

“You’re paying me very generously,” I said, meeting her eyes. “I want to make sure you feel it’s worth it.”

“You know, that’s exactly the kind of work ethic that’s rare these days. Most people your age wo

Eve studied me for a moment, th

just do the minimum.”

“Well, I appreciate t

“Emma-

“Plea

ed, then added, “Actually, I’d like to take you to lunch later. My treat. As a thank you.”

e done so much for me. Let me do this small thing.”

here’s a wonderful bistro just a short walk from here.”

rush at the exhibition had mellowed into a steady stream of visitors.

across the booth and gestured toward the exit. I grabbed my coat and followed her out into the crisp Portland air.

e chose was tucked between two historic brick buildings, its windows fogged with warmth. Inside, exposed beams crossed the the scent of fresh bread made my stomach rumble.

ostess led us to a quiet table near the window, where we could watch boats rocking gently in the harbor

ce we’d ordered, she leaned back in her chair, studying me with that perceptive gaze I’d come to recognize. A small smile played at her lip.

“So,” she said, swirling the wine in her glass. I’ve been curious about something.”

“Ob?‘

She said, her tone light but curie priority right now?

man like you, so focused on work have you ever thought about dating? Or is that not a

8:46 am P P

Chapter 100

I hesitated, my fingers tracing the condensation on my water glass. “Actually, I’m married.”

The wine glass in Eve’s hand slipped, catching on the edge of the table with a sharp clink.

“What?!”

She stared at me, mouth slightly open, as if I’d just announced I was secretly an heiress or a spy.

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