"Phew!" Alex exhaled deeply as he stood before the gleaming fifty-story tower. The notoriously demanding CEO had finally signed off on everything. A glance at his watch showed nearly 5 PM—perfect timing to head back for the end of the workday.
Settling into another taxi, he called Grace.
"Stone here."
"I know it's you. Quick, how did it go?" Grace's anxious voice crackled through the speaker.
"Ah..."
"What? Don't tell me it fell through?"
"You know, all through college, I thought I was merely talented. But I was wrong—I'm clearly a genius. Wouldn't you agree?" Alex drawled lazily.
"Oh absolutely, you're brilliant. So that means...?"
"Done deal. I'm in a cab heading back now."
"Thank god! You had me worried there. Oh, and Sarah said to bring Emma—we can make this her welcome dinner too!" Grace's voice brightened considerably. With this account secured, their year-end bonuses were looking very promising.
"Damn, I completely forgot about her!" The hospital situation suddenly rushed back. "Right, I'll handle it. See you soon." He hung up and quickly redirected the driver.
If Grace hadn't mentioned it, he might have completely forgotten about leaving Emma at the emergency room. Racing into the hospital, he found her still waiting in the same room, thankfully.
"Finally! The hospital's about to close. Did you leave me here on purpose?" Emma jumped up from her chair, eyes flashing.
Alex caught his breath before responding, "Honestly? I almost did forget about you. Thought you might have left by now."
"Left? How? I was in such a rush chasing after you that I left my purse at the office. No pockets in this dress..."
"Is this your way of saying you don't have money for the hospital bill?"
"Yes," Emma admitted, her cheeks coloring slightly.
"You've got some nerve acting high and mighty when you're broke. Who walks around Manhattan without cash or cards? That's just asking for trouble," Alex shook his head in disbelief before turning to the doctor. "How's her head injury?"
Emma's irritation faltered at his show of concern. The memory of his gentle care in the taxi softened her expression into an unconscious smile.
'Maybe he's not so bad... No! I can't let my guard down! Remember the subway incident? The office humiliation?'
"She'll be fine," the doctor assured them with an amused smile.
"Any chance of brain damage? Might explain a few things," Alex inquired seriously.
"The only damaged brain here is yours!" Emma grabbed his collar and pulled him toward the billing counter, her earlier warm thoughts evaporating. "Come on, let's pay and go."
"Hey, watch the Tom Ford! Who knows what you might be carrying," Alex twisted away from her grip.
"Oh please, like I'd want to touch your clothes," Emma made a show of wiping her hands on his shirt.
"People who accuse others of having diseases usually have them themselves."
"You started it!"
"Yeah, but you copied me, so that's worse," Alex pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and waved it in front of her face before handing it to the cashier.
"I'll pay you back double," Emma muttered, bristling at the indignity.
"Consider it a donation to charity," Alex rolled his eyes, pocketing his change.
Outside the hospital, Emma thrust out her hand. "Lend me ten dollars for the subway back to the office."
"First, drop the attitude. Second, I'm heading back too," Alex flagged down another taxi. As Emma approached the car, he couldn't resist adding, "Watch your head this time—can't afford any more brain cells."
"Mind your own business!" she glared, though she did duck carefully into the car. Despite his needling, she felt oddly pleased by his concern, backhanded as it was.
"Why are you going back to the office? Didn't you finish the meeting?"
"Is there a law against returning to one's workplace?" Alex gave her his best 'you're not very bright' look.
"What is your problem? Did someone spike your coffee? I'm trying to have a civil conversation here!" Emma huffed, conveniently forgetting her own attitude at the hospital.
"Oh, so you can dish it out but can't take it? Either get out now or walk back—your choice," Alex smirked.
"Those are the same thing! Fine, I'm staying right here. I'll make your life miserable!" She grabbed his arm defiantly.
"Easy on the physical contact—we're not that close," Alex protested, though he made no real effort to shake her off. Annoying as she was, he had to admire her persistence.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm just making sure you don't try to push me out," she tightened her grip.
"You realize I could just throw you out the window instead?"
"You still haven't answered why we're going back to the office!"
"Grace is treating everyone to dinner. Consider it your welcome party," Alex explained.
"Really? I thought she didn't like me! That's so sweet!" Emma's mood instantly brightened.
"What kind of restaurant? I love trying new places! Especially traditional Chinese—Peking duck, hand-pulled noodles..." Emma's excitement over food made her previous concerns about office politics evaporate. She'd spent the morning worrying about navigating workplace relationships, having quickly realized that Alex was the key to office harmony, particularly given his close friendship with Grace. Now that tensions had eased and a welcome dinner awaited, her spirits soared.
"Excuse me, lovebirds," the driver interrupted their banter. "We're here. Unless you'd like to keep chatting while the meter runs?"
"Already?" They both looked out to find themselves in front of their building.
"Thanks, sorry about that," Alex handed over the fare.
"Life's too short for playing hard to get," the driver called out as he pulled away.
"Hey—!"
"Let it go. Not worth the energy," Alex patted Emma's shoulder as she bristled at the driver's comment.
"Well, look who can be reasonable sometimes. Come on," Emma led the way inside.
The office was still full when they arrived, everyone chatting while they waited. Grace immediately bounced up and threw her arms around Alex's neck in an enthusiastic hug that pressed his face against her designer blouse.
This sort of thing happened about once a month in their year-plus of working together. Grace had grown increasingly comfortable with such displays of affection, treating Alex more like a girlfriend than a male colleague. While it had been awkward at first, Alex had long since grown used to it. Their platonic relationship was so firmly established that such moments carried no tension.
Besides, he'd seen plenty in his playboy days—no need to act shocked now.
Their coworkers barely noticed the display, though Emma watched with wide eyes, unsure what to make of such casual intimacy in a professional setting.
"So, where should we eat? Emma, you choose! This is your welcome dinner after all," Grace announced magnanimously, still holding Alex in a death grip.
'This would make an amazing pillow,' Alex mused absently.
"Whatever you think best," Emma demurred, still processing the casual PDA.
"Let's try Azure Star in Midtown," Alex suggested without hesitation. "It's this amazing fusion place—authentic Chinese dishes adapted for international palates."
"Azure Star? Is it Chinese or international?" Tom wondered.
"It's this cool concept—started as authentic Chinese restaurants catering to expat communities in Seoul, Tokyo, and Singapore. Now they're bringing that fusion style back here. The food's incredible, and the prices are..." Alex glanced meaningfully at Grace.
"I knew you'd find a way to make this expensive!" Grace tightened her hold threateningly. Those self-defense classes she'd mentioned weren't just talk.
"Ack—I was going to say the prices are reasonable for the quality and service!" Alex protested as his air supply dwindled.
"Really? Perfect then! Since none of us have traveled much, we can experience international Chinese cuisine right here," Grace released him and turned to the group. "Tom, you're driving!"
And with that, they piled into Tom's SUV and headed for their culinary adventure.