Chapter 7: Atlantic City
James gentlemanly escorted Emma back to the entrance of her apartment building.
"I live right here. Thank you for walking me back," Emma said with a smile.
"May I see you again tomorrow?" James asked.
"You know where to find me."
"Get some rest. Good night." James kissed Emma's cheek as a gesture of courtesy.
"Good night."
After confirming James had left, Emma happily spun around in circles. Joey, carrying a bag full of sandwiches in the distance, saw Emma spinning like a top and walked over.
Emma didn't notice Joey until her hand bumped into him.
"Oh, Joey, I'm sorry, I didn't see you."
Joey covered his chest and shook his head.
"What are you doing, Emma?" Joey asked curiously.
"Uh... dancing?" Emma replied shyly. Joey, being a veteran of the dating scene, naturally noticed something different about Emma.
"Ooh~ You went on a date~"
Emma nodded sheepishly.
Joey grinned foolishly, then asked, "How was he? Was he good in bed?"
"What? Joey, he's a nice guy, but I wouldn't do that with a guy I just met," Emma explained.
"Who says? We did it the first day we met."
Emma felt a critical hit. Damn it! Why did she have to end up in the show this way of all ways!
"That doesn't count... I didn't feel anything. At most, it was a... preview," Emma said.
"What!" The perfectly articulated sound was comparable to "In London!" Joey felt his abilities were being questioned.
"Listen, never doubt a Tribbiani's stomach capacity or his ability in that area. If you don't believe me, let's go now, and I'll show you..."
Emma immediately used the sandwich in his hand to block Joey's mouth. After tasting the sandwich, Joey smiled.
"I misspoke, misspoke! It was wonderful! Can we please stop talking about this now?" Emma said.
Joey nodded contentedly: "I knew it."
The next day, Emma went to the coffee shop to serve coffee as usual. Everyone was present today, and Phoebe was sitting in the middle, waiting for them to tell her the good news.
"Emma, Phoebe is here."
"OK." Emma quickly jogged over and sat sideways next to Rachel.
"We're sorry Phoebe can't join us in London because of her pregnancy, so we decided that this time we'd all go somewhere together, partly to make it up to Phoebe, and partly to welcome Emma into our group," Monica said.
"Yay! Hehe! Where are we going?" Phoebe asked happily.
"Central Park!" Chandler exclaimed excitedly.
"Central! Park?" Phoebe asked confusedly, then continued: "The park next to my house? What kind of trip is that! I just got back from there! What's so exciting about Central Park?"
"Phoebe, we have to consider your condition, so we didn't dare go too far. And although we go to this park often, Emma hasn't been there yet," Rachel explained.
"Fine, if Emma wants to go, then let's go." Phoebe conceded, taking a sip of her decaf coffee.
Everyone looked at Emma. Although Emma hadn't been to the park, she knew what this meant—it was like telling a group of native New Yorkers to take a vacation to the Statue of Liberty.
"Uh... anywhere is OK with me. Besides, this park is so close, I could go this afternoon. Since we're all going together, it doesn't matter where we go," Emma said.
"Sorry, Phoebe," everyone said.
"I should be the one apologizing. I got emotional. You were thinking of me. And thank you, Emma," Phoebe said.
Similarly, the next day, everyone gathered here again.
Emma still sat next to Rachel.
"Phoebe, Emma, we thought of a new place. Go home and pack tonight, we're going to Atlantic City tomorrow!" Monica announced excitedly.
"Yes! I love Atlantic City! I'm going home right now to wiggle my butt and pack." Phoebe left excitedly.
"Packing... but what if Phoebe..." Emma worried.
"Don't worry, we checked. There are many hospitals along that road, and the hotel Ross booked is right next to an obstetrics and gynecology hospital," Chandler said.
"That's great."
"I need to go back and pack too." Monica secretly patted Chandler, who understood what she meant, and he also found an excuse to leave shortly after she did.
"Oh, I have an audition." Joey also left.
Ross temporarily went to the restroom, leaving only Rachel sitting restlessly on the sofa.
"Emma." Rachel called Emma, who had already gone to fetch coffee, back over.
"What is it?" Emma asked.
"I'm going to tell Ross."
"I thought you already told him," Emma said, puzzled.
"I haven't found the chance. So, I wanted to ask you not to come over here for a while, don't break our mood," Rachel pleaded.
"I can't. There are still three tables of guests who haven't received their coffee."
"I understand." Rachel picked up the sign Gunther used previously: This establishment reserves the right to refuse service.
"People in love," Emma sighed, then turned and went to the bar. Although she was supposed to stay away temporarily, she couldn't help but peek over. Ross had returned.
Emma thought to herself: I wonder if Ross took in what I said last time. I hope these two don't hit me with drama this time.
About half an hour passed. They hugged for a while, and then Ross left alone. Emma looked at Rachel's desolate figure and walked over to her.
"Are you okay, Rachel?" Emma sat down next to Rachel.
"I was so stupid. Ross is married, and I still told him I love him. Why did I only realize how ridiculous it was as the words left my mouth? We both thought Ross still had feelings for me, but we were wrong. For Ross, he really has fallen in love with Emily," Rachel said, choking up.
"Rachel, honey, that's Ross. He gives me the feeling of being... what's the phrase... it's complicated? Like, too messy to untangle. Outsiders see clearly, but he himself doesn't know what he truly thinks. Rachel, what do you think?" Emma asked.
Rachel sniffled.
"It's pretty clear now. I guess we can only remain friends. Anyway, I said everything I needed to say, so it's no big deal now. We're going on a trip tomorrow, it's fine... it's fine..." Emma handed her a tissue, a silent pang of sympathy rising in her heart.