“Yeah, same to you. I’ll tell Pop you said hello.”

Emma couldn’t believe that Aidan was practically being cordial. But when they reached the front door, he called, “Take care of my girl.”

Pesh’s hand froze on the doorknob. “Um, I will,” he muttered before he jerked the door open for Emma. Once it closed behind him, Pesh exhaled noisily.

“I’m so sorry for that,” Emma began as they started down the stairs.

“It’s okay. I would probably have reacted the same way.”

“Seriously?”

Pesh nodded as he held open the door of his Jaguar. “If someone was trying to encroach on the woman I loved, I’d probably be less than civil.”

“But you’re not encroaching. He knows we’re just friends.” Emma couldn’t help noticing that Pesh flinched at the word friend. “We are still friends, aren’t we, Pesh?”

A smile forced its way to his lips. “Of course we are.”

Uneasiness crept into the pit of her stomach. Her expression must’ve alerted Pesh to her feelings because he said, “Emma, if you don’t feel comfortable about tonight or leaving Aidan, we don’t have to do this. I would never, ever want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

The sincerity in his voice made Emma shake her head. “No, I’m fine. Let’s go.” But the truth was she was far from fine. Her emotions buzzed and hummed like a swarm of locusts ready to overtake her at any moment.

He nodded, and after she had eased down into the seat, he closed the door for her.

Once he made his way around the car, he slid inside and cranked up the engine. He turned to her and smiled. “I’m glad you’ve consented to come with me tonight. My sister and brother-in-law will be joining us.”

“Oh,” she murmured at the insinuation of a double date.

“But Shevta is aware we’re not committed to one another, so you don’t have to worry about it being strange.”

Yeah, I’m sure she thinks there’s a lot more between us than you’re letting on—just like Becky did! Emma thought, but she pinched her lips tight. Her fingers went to the hem of her coat, and she twisted it with nervousness.

Pesh tried filling the uncomfortable silence with conversation about his sister and brother-in-law. Emma could tell he was very fond of Shevta, and she sounded like an amazing woman.

“Where are we eating?”

“An Indian restaurant close to the Fox.”

Emma’s stomach churned at the prospect, but before she could try to put on a poker face, Pesh burst out laughing. “I’m only teasing you.”

A nervous giggle escaped her lips. “Really?”

He momentarily tore his eyes away from the road to give her a beaming smile. “I made reservations at The Livingston, so we would be right across the street and have plenty of time to eat and relax.”

“Oh, I’ve always wanted to eat there. It’s in such a beautiful, old building with the Georgian Terrace Hotel.”

“I’m glad I made a good choice.”

Emma smiled. “I think one day when I’m not pregnant, I’ll get up the courage to try Indian food again.”

“Do you really think so?” When she bobbed her head, Pesh said, “Now that is what I call courage.”

“Actually, you don’t know the entire story and how true that statement is!”

“Oh, what happened?”

She winced before relating the story of throwing up on Aidan. Of course, she did manage to leave out a lot of details about what went on between them that night.

Pesh’s expression turned serious. “I hate to hear you got so sick. I should have realized mixing all those spices wouldn’t be good for you—especially if you had such a sensitive palate.”

“It’s okay. Things like that happen,” Emma said as they eased into the parking lot across from The Livingston.

After turning off the car, Pesh turned to her. “So we’ll be on the lookout for the blandest food possible tonight to ensure you don’t have to make a run for the bathroom or throw up in the orchestra pit?”

Emma laughed. “I’m not that sensitive.”

“Phew, good to hear.” He then came around not only to open the car door for her, but he took her hand to help her up out of the car.

She cocked her head at him. “You know, I’m not so enormous yet that I’m having mobility issues.”

He winked. “I know. I just used it as a ploy to get to hold your hand.”

Emma couldn’t help laughing at the impish grin that formed on his cheeks. “May I keep it to escort you into the restaurant?”

“I suppose so.”

“Didn’t want you to think I was getting too forward.”

“I’ll make sure to let you know if that happens.”

When the crosswalk sign turned, they hustled across the street and into the restaurant. Once they reached the hostess stand, Pesh dropped her hand. “Reservation for Nadeen,” he said.

The hostess glanced down at her book. “Yes, two of your party is already here. Please follow me.”

Pesh motioned for Emma to go first, and she fell in step behind the hostess. When they stopped in front of the table where an attractive Indian couple sat, Emma drew in a deep breath.

“Shevta, Sanjay, this is my friend, Emma Harrison,” Pesh introduced.

Emma thrust out her hand to Shevta. “Nice to meet you.”

Shevta rewarded her with a broad smile as she pumped Emma’s hand. “The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Harrison. Please sit down.”

Emma shook Sanjay’s hand before eyeing an empty seat. After helping her off with her coat, Pesh pulled out her chair and then eased her up to the table.

Once they had given their drink orders, Shevta turned to Emma. “So I understand you’re a big fan of the opera?”

“Oh yes. My mother used to bring me to the Fox when I was younger. I was only thirteen when I first saw Aida.”

“Sanjay and I have had season tickets since we got married. With his crazy schedule, we haven’t been able to include Alpesh as much as he would like,” Shevta said.

“I’m so very grateful you allowed me to tag along this evening.”

With a sly smile, Shevta said, “Oh no, we’re thrilled to have you.”

Emma shifted in her seat and tried focusing her attention on her menu and not the growing tension at the table about what she and Pesh were or weren’t.