After Arundel (RP)

Kat’s reply made her smile. The girl was definitely enthusiastic, maybe a bit too much, but Emma could understand. She was new to England, and probably didn’t know many people, and even less her own age. How could she probably turn her down? Plus, she seemed like she could be lots of fun when she didn’t have to behave around stuffy old gentlemen.

"Tomorrow sounds great! I’ll call you in the morning once I wake up, and we will make some plans!"

She did promise to spend some time with David, but not for the entire day. She was sure she could find some time for Kat.

Smiling to herself, she turned to Henry, who was the last person she would think would refrain from critiquing her columns. He used to nitpick even the smallest things, usually for petty or imagined reasons. Her columns were actually pretty well written, all things considered, but gossip, fashion, nightlife, and new sexual positions weren’t exactly Pulitzer material. But they were her things, and a reflection of her life. Maybe he read them to keep tabs on her?

"What did you think of my book?" She knew the book was done well, and received positive reviews (for its genre). She was curious to hear his take on it. Would he, for once, give her a real compliment?

He actually read it? It was a surprising thought, almost a shock, considering how often he brushed off her interests. And even more of a shock was that he was willing to engage her in conversation about it.

"Well, houses aren’t magical, sure" she said wistfully "but homes—homes are something else entirely. All the emotions, the connections. Memories. There has to be some magic in it"

She turned to look at him, her voice dropping a bit lower:
"But I’m curious. Have you never wished something magical could be real, even just for a moment?"

"Don’t you ever feel like your world is missing something? Like... adventure? Wonder? Something that breaks the monotony of the everyday?" she held his gaze, looking deeply into his eyes "Don’t you wish for more excitement in your life? More...magic?"

She allowed her words to linger in the air before she finally pulled back, breaking away from him.

"Thanks for a splendid evening" He was the one who invited her to the restaurant she could never afford going to on her own. And she did enjoy herself, even if himself made for poor company. She gave him one last nod before slipping out of his car, leaving him to ponder what she truly meant.

Emma appreciated the compliment, but she didn't want to give him any ideas. She didn't respond, her lips curving slightly behind her back. Then, she closed the door behind her and simply turned and walked toward the entrance of her building.

She didn't take the stairs, instead waiting inside just long enough to make sure he drove off. Once the coast was clear she stepped out and headed for her car, parked further down the street.

If she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn Henry had been replaced by a body double. The man she had known was always self-assured, smug, always ready to belittle and mock her. She's never seen him off-balance, or not in control of the situation. Tonight she couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow more...vulnerable. Frazzled. The way he clung to her every word in the car. Admitting to reading her book. Waiting outside her apartment like some sort of lost puppy. And then there was the club. She’d never seen him so uncomfortable in the presence of others before, no matter who they were; he was just too full of himself to care what anyone else thought of him.

Something was definitely going on. Maybe he was just slipping. Or maybe something bigger was at play.

She sighed

There were only so many people she could help, and right now, a rich asshole was at the bottom of her list. If Kat couldn't shed some light on this mystery tomorrow, she was ready to let the whole thing go and let him figure things out for himself, like he always had.

Pulled out her phone, she typed Benji a quick message before turning the ignition key:

"On my way"