Chapter 5

　　Emma dropped the phone on the bed as if it had just bitten her.

　　His pulse was throbbing in his ears.

　　And for the first time, the idea of seeing him didn't just frighten her.

　　It made her wish for dawn.

　　Emma arrived at WNYC Heartbeat Radio fifteen minutes early.

　　She had chosen a simple dress under a light jacket, a bit dressier than her usual jeans, but not so formal that she looked like a different person. She had told herself repeatedly in front of the mirror that it was a business meeting.

　　I just work.

　　The tack on the bag thought otherwise.

　　Grace greeted her with a knowing smile.

　　Mr. Blake is expecting her. And she promised not to go near sharp objects.

　　Emma closed her eyes for a second.

　　"How thoughtful.

　　When she entered the office, Nathan was standing by the window, talking on the phone. He was wearing a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms and dark trousers. The city behind him looked like a stage set. He looked like the protagonist of a bad decision.

　　Upon seeing her, he ended the call.

　　"Miss Harper.

　　"Mr. Blake.

　　Her eyes glanced down her dress for a second and then returned to her face.

　　"Dangerous wine.

　　"I arrived on time.

　　-Also.

　　Emma placed the folder on the desk before her hands betrayed her. They worked for almost an hour reviewing mentions, airtimes, promotional phrases, and Madison's recording. Nathan was demanding, but not arrogant. He corrected ideas precisely, suggested better hooks, and understood what made a story sellable.

　　That impressed her.

　　And it worried her.

　　"She has a good eye for editorial work," she said without thinking.

　　Nathan leaned against the desk.

　　"I have other talents.

　　Emma didn't fall into the trap.

　　"I'm serious.

　　-Me too.

　　The silence came too quickly.

　　Emma looked away and saw an open book on a side table. She couldn't read the title, but she did see some handwritten notes in the margin. Nathan followed her gaze and immediately closed the book.

　　Too fast.

　　"Does he write?" she asked.

　　"We all write something.

　　"That's not an answer.

　　"It's the only one she'll have today.

　　Emma narrowed her eyes. Something didn't add up. Nathan spoke about books with too much certainty. He asked questions about the competition with too much interest. And now he was hiding notes as if he were keeping a secret.

　　Her cell phone vibrated. Madison.

　　"Are you still alive? If Nathan is too handsome, take a breath and don't do anything stupid."

　　Emma slammed the screen shut.

　　Nathan smiled.

　　-Issues?

　　"My boss is a social menace.

　　"I like it.

　　"Everyone likes it. That's its evil power.

　　Nathan laughed. Then he took a piece of paper and wrote down a time.

　　"The announcement will air tomorrow on The Midnight Hour. I want you to come and hear it from the studio.

　　Emma remained still.

　　-I?

　　"You coordinated the promotion. You should see how it airs.

　　"I can listen to it from home.

　　-Could.

　　He looked at her as if he knew she was looking for an excuse to run away.

　　"But I shouldn't.

　　Emma considered saying no. It was the reasonable thing to do. The safe thing to do.

　　Then he remembered Madison: you take up space.

　　"Okay," he said. "I'll come."

　　Nathan smiled with a slow satisfaction.

　　"Good girl.

　　The phrase hit her hard.

　　Emma picked up her folder too quickly.

　　"Don't call me that.

　　Nathan took a step towards her.

　　"Why does it bother you?

　　Another step.

　　"Or because he likes it too much?

　　Emma stepped back until she touched the edge of the desk.

　　And then the door suddenly opened.

　　Grace peeked out, pale.

　　"Nathan, sorry, but there's someone outside asking for Emma Harper.

　　Emma frowned.

　　"For me?

　　Grace swallowed.

　　"He says his name is Logan Pierce.

　　Nathan stopped smiling.

　　And Emma felt the air in the office change.

　　The name meant nothing to Emma.

　　Still.

　　"I don't know any Logan Pierce," he said.

　　Nathan looked at Grace.

　　"What do you want?

　　"He says he's here about the contest. That she needs to speak with Miss Harper personally.

　　Emma straightened up, clinging to logic. The competition had only just begun. It was normal for interested writers to seek information. There was no reason for it to be unusual.

　　But Nathan didn't seem convinced.

　　"Tell him to wait at reception," he ordered.

　　Grace nodded and closed the door.

　　Emma picked up her folder.

　　"I have to take care of it. It's part of the job.

　　"Not alone.

　　She looked at him.

　　"Mr. Blake, I am not a child.

　　"I didn't say you were.

　　"Then don't decide for me.

　　Nathan clenched his jaw. For a second, Emma saw something hard in his expression. Protection, yes. But also control. And she wasn't about to trade one familiar cage for another, even if it had blue eyes.

　　"I can handle a conversation," she said firmly.

　　Nathan watched her. Then he nodded, even though he didn't like it.

　　"Then I'll accompany her to reception. After that, I'll stay at a distance.

　　Emma wanted to protest, but she accepted it. She had learned that a small victory was still a victory.

　　At reception, Logan Pierce stood by a glass wall. He was attractive in a polished way, wearing an expensive suit, with a measured smile and eyes that didn't smile. When he saw Emma, he looked her up and down before extending his hand.

　　"Emma Harper. Finally.

　　She shook his hand, uncomfortable from the excessive pressure of his fingers.

　　"Do we know each other?

　　"Not yet. But I hope to change that.

　　Nathan stayed a few steps behind, silent. Emma felt his presence like a warm shadow at her back.

　　"If you're here about the contest, you can check the rules on the Parker & Grant Publishing website," she said. "I can also send you the entry form."

　　Logan smiled.

　　"I would have preferred you to explain it to me. I like to discuss certain matters face to face.

　　"There are no special circumstances. All participants follow the same process.

　　Something flashed in Logan's eyes. It wasn't interest. It was challenge.

　　"I like a woman who knows how to set boundaries.

　　Emma felt an unpleasant chill.

　　Nathan took a step.

　　Logan noticed and his smile tightened.

　　Am I interrupting something?

　　"Yes," Nathan replied before Emma could speak. "A workday."

　　Emma gave him a warning look.

　　Logan raised his hands with feigned innocence.

　　"I don't mean to bother you. I just wanted to meet the person behind the contest. We'll be in touch, Emma.

　　The way he said her name sent a cold feeling down her neck.

　　Logan left without haste.

　　Emma released the breath she hadn't known she was holding.

　　"I didn't like it," Nathan said.

　　"Me neither.

　　The admission came out low, but honest.

　　Nathan looked at her, and for the first time since they met, the provocation completely disappeared.

　　"If he approaches me in a strange way again, tell me.

　　Emma wanted to reply that she didn't need protection. But Logan's gaze remained fixed on her skin, and this time she didn't feel like feigning absolute bravery.

　　-Alright.

　　Nathan nodded.

　　Then, as if remembering that there was too much tension between them, he lowered his voice.

　　"Tomorrow. Cabin. The Midnight Hour.

　　"Tomorrow," she repeated.

　　She left the radio station with her mind divided between the warmth Nathan caused her and the cold Logan had left behind.