The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Daniel’s POV:

The November wind off Portland harbor carried the scent of brine as I leaned against the car, watching the exhibition center’s main entrance

Six-fifteen. Emma’s shift should be ending any moment now.

My phone buzzed against my chest. I glanced at the caller ID before answering.

(t’s done,” the voice on the other end said without preamble. “Robert took the bait.”

Robert. The man who’d made Emma’s childhood a calculated transaction, who saw her as nothing more than a stepping stone for his own

mbitions.

kept my voice level. “Good. Make sure-

Movement caught my eye. Emma emerged from the glass doors, her hair catching the last rays of evening light as she walked toward me across the parking lot. Her smile was tired but genuine.

I have to go,” I said quietly into the phone, ending the call before the other person could respond.

slipped the device back into my jacket pocket and straightened up.

Hi, Emma said as she approached, her voice carrying a thread of surprise.

Her gaze swept from my coat to my sweater and back to my face. “You-we-*

Match, I finished, allowing myself the smallest smile. “I noticed.”

What I didn’t say was that it wasn’t a coincidence at all.

Every piece I’d had delivered to her closet had a corresponding item in mine-coordinated palettes, complementary fabrics, designs that would narmonize without being obviously paired.

Today, we’d both reached for nearly identical pieces: the turtlenecks, the neutral outerwear, even the shade of white that made her skin gla

The pink in her cheeks deepened.

How was the exhibition?” I asked as I opened her door.

it went well. Everything wrapped up smoothly. She slid into the seat, and I caught the note of satisfaction in her voice beneath the lat

Then we should celebrate. I closed her door and walked around to the driver’s side: “I made a reservation at a restaurant nearby, Consuler it a commemoration of your success.”

10

8:47 am P

Chapter 103

The drive to The Lobster Shack took less than ten minutes, the harbor road quiet in the early evening.

Emma was silent beside me, but I could feel her stealing glances at my profile, processing something she couldn’t quite articulate.

The hostess greeted us

and we were led to a private corner table with a view of the harbor.

Fairy lights were

The server pa long have

to twinkle in the gathering dusk, reflecting off the dark water.

tween us with an open, friendly smile. “You two are just adorable-the matching outfits and everything. How

Emma

Fo

her tension.

ly, meeting the server’s eyes. “Still in the honeymoon phase.”

“Well, congratulations! I’ll give you two some time to look at the menus.”

way, I pulled out Emma’s chair. She sank into it slowly, and when I moved to my own seat, I caught her staring at my sweater sion I couldn’t quite decipher.

g?” I asked.

just…” She shook her head slightly. “This restaurant is excellent. Everything on the menu is exactly what I like. You have good

g care of my wife is what I should be doing,” I said easily, reaching across to refill her water glass.

ma pressed her lips together briefly, and I watched something shift in her expression-a decision being made.

Daniel,” she said quietly, not quite meeting my eyes. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“This-” She gestured vaguely at the table, at the restaurant, at the space between us. “All of this. The thoughtfulness, the attention to detail. Is it…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “Is it because I’m your wife? Or would you do this for anyone you made an arrangement with?”

The question hit me like a surgical blade- cutting straight to what I’d been trying to hide. I could feel her watching me, waiting, hoping for an

answer.

Tell her the truth, part of

But the fear was

You’re

ng what little ground we’d gained.

suing I want to do well.” I said, keeping my voice gentle bue

w her press her lips together and nod.

D

8:47 am P

Chapter 103

The server arrived with the courses. Emma’s shoulders relaxed. She picked up her spoon with renewed focus, tasting the chowder.

I pulled out my phone glancing at the screen.

Fifty-thr

most of them from Eve. I scrolled past the barrage of memes and opened her chat.

ess-question after question about Emma, about our relationship, about how we’d ended up married.

now, I thought.

this morning, when I saw the exhibition flyer,

Emma had been mentioning was Eve.

you tell her?

sponse came quickly: Relax, Dr. Prescott. Y

at friendly advice? You might want to come

was about to lock my phone when anoth

Look, I don’t know what really

along, were you?

later. **

e of you. But… you weren’t planning to steal her away from Nicholas all

I looked up from my

Across the table

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