Read Online Blitzing Emily by Julie Brannagh - Free Book Online Page B

The debris from yesterday’s parking lot misadventure had been cleared away. Someone had even shoveled the lot. Maybe Emily should have waited a day.
    “Listen. I don’t think you want to spend time in the locker room while I’m getting dressed. I’ll take you to the lobby, where you can have a seat.”
    “No. I’ll wait out here.”
    “I’ll be back.”
    He sprinted through the front doors of the facility, and Emily pulled her phone out of her purse. She left more messages. Her mom still wasn’t home, and Amy must have been sleeping in after yesterday. Even if it was cold outside the car’s interior was toasty warm, and she drifted off for a few minutes.
    Emily awoke to a blast of freezing cold air and Brandon’s voice. “Hey. Let’s get in my rig, and we’ll pick yours up later.” A black, late-model Land Rover was idling in the parking spot next to her. “We gotta go, or you’ll be late. Come on.”
    They arrived at McCaw Hall after the fastest trip across the bridge to Seattle she’d ever experienced. He wasn’t reckless, but he made it clear he was getting to his destination as quickly as humanly possible. He also insisted on walking her inside.
    “Brandon, I am fine. I can do this myself. I’ve been doing it for a long time. Really.”
    “Let me make sure that you’re going to be okay.” He pulled the auditorium door open for her, and she made her way to the backstage area. Their footsteps echoed down a long parquet hallway.
    Tristan, the production’s lead costumer, emerged from one of the dressing rooms with an armload of costumes. He still managed to grasp both of Emily’s hands.
    “Ah, my diva. How are you feeling today? And who’s this?” He looked Brandon up and down, lingeringly. One of Brandon’s brows arched a bit.
    Brandon stuck out a hand. “I’m Brandon McKenna. Nice to meet you.”
    If Brandon was going to flip out over this whole arrangement, he’d just been presented the best opportunity possible. Tristan enjoyed fashion, and every day was a new opportunity to give his closet a workout. Today he wore skin-tight red wet-look leather pants that laced on the outside seam from toes to hips, black leather pointy-toed high heeled boots, and a black silk t-shirt topped with a black silk jacket. His ornate silver belt buckle read “boy toy.”
    Tristan dropped Emily’s hands to shake Brandon’s, winking at him. “I’m Tristan, and the pleasure’s all mine.”
    Emily stifled a laugh. Jason who ? Tristan was flirting outrageously. Of course, Brandon acted like this happened to him every day. Maybe it did.
    “So, Tristan, Emily insists on going through with her rehearsal. Can’t divas call in sick once in a while?”
    Tristan laughed like Brandon had said the wittiest thing he’d ever heard. Emily resisted the impulse to smack both of them, and settled for an eye roll.
    “Well, the floor director knows she had an accident. Most of the company knows, too, and this morning, we were so thrilled with your happy news. When’s the wedding?”
    “I want her to have the wedding of her dreams, so it may be awhile.” Brandon leaned closer, and his voice became conspiratorial. “We’re planning.”
    “Certainly. It’ll take at least a year. Plus, my diva’s not getting married in some off-the-rack schmatta . I made some preliminary sketches this morning, and—”
    It was time for Emily to break up the love fest. “Guys. I have to sit down. I’ll talk to you later. Bye, Brandon.” She headed off toward the dressing room, only to hear two sets of footsteps behind her: The click of Tristan’s heels, and the “thump, thump” of Brandon’s heavier footsteps.
    “Listen, T.” Oh, now they were on a nickname basis? Emily wondered if Tristan would start skipping down the hallway. “I have a few errands this morning, but I am worried about leaving Emily. She’s still not feeling well. Is there any possible way you could keep an eye on her? I’ll be back to pick her up in a