“I’ve known that man for almost three years and could have counted on one hand the number of times I’d seen him smile. Over the last few months, he never seems to stop smiling.”
“I can’t ever remember feeling like this with Teddy. Don’t get me wrong, we were happy, but it was like our happiness came from our successes. With Dan, it just feels so natural. I’ve never really felt like I could be myself around anyone. Everyone had such high expectations of me before. It was like every single person in my life got the Emma that I thought they needed. Dan is the only person I feel like I can be myself with.”
“Well, that sounds exhausting.”
“It is,” I admitted.
“Well, I hope you stop because the real Emma, the one that I’ve gotten to know, is pretty amazing when she’s not trying to be perfect all the time.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Excuse you.” I gasped, mock-scandalized. “Trying to be perfect? I am already perfect. Look at this perfectly inflated balloon.” I gestured to the balloon attached to the nozzle of the helium tank, which was clearly overinflated.
“The one with too much air that’s twice as big as it’s supposed to be?” she said with a laugh.
“Hold on…” I removed the balloon from the tank and popped the opening into my mouth and inhaled deeply. “See,” I squeaked. “Problem fixed.”
Erica laughed so hard she let go of the balloon she was inflating and it went flying into the air, making a loud noise before it landed at the stilettoed feet of Belinda Cole.
“Well, aren’t you ladies having a good time?” She let out a giggle.“Emma, I just wanted to come find you and tell you how wonderful everything looks for this weekend.” I pasted on a humble smile and gave her a small nod, praying to God that I wouldn’t have to speak to her before the effects of the helium wore off. “Everyone has simply been singing your praises these last few weeks. I think this might be the best Harvest Festival I’ve ever seen.” I smiled and nodded again. Glancing at Erica was a mistake. If she’d been trying any harder not to laugh, she might have fainted.
“Well, I’m sure you have a lot to finish, and the good Lord knows the work of the first lady is never finished.” She let out a beleaguered sigh and shook her head. “I’ll let you ladies get back to work. And, Emma”—she placed a gloved hand on my shoulder—“thank you again.”
I nodded and smiled again. She shot me a momentary look of confusion before she strode confidently across the street to talk to someone else working on a float for the parade.
When she was out of earshot, I glared at Erica, who burst out laughing.
“I can’t stand you,” I hissed in an involuntary cartoon-chipmunk impression.
“You love me,” she said between fits of laughter, before she shouted, “Alvin!”
“Hey, Max,” I whispered into my phone when I sat on the curb later in the afternoon to take a much-needed break. “What do you have for me?”
“Well, I have a few outlets that are interested.”
“Only a few?” I said, feeling deflated.
“Boo.” She sighed. “I’m trying, but we’re talking about a three-year-old story about flowers; but don’t worry, I have a plan.”
“You always do.”
“Are you happy, Em? Does this dude make you happy?”
“Yeah, Max. He does. I’m really happy.”
“Well, you know I’m happy for you.” There was heavy silence before she spoke again. “Okay, well, let me go get to work. I’m gonna have to call in a lot of favors for this one. You’re lucky I love you.”
“Yes, I am.” I grinned and ended the call as I saw Dan approaching me from across the street.
“What are you grinning about?” He lowered himself onto the curb next to me and handed me a sandwich before kissing the side of my head. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“I have a lot of reasons to smile these days.” I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Mostly because the festival is almost here, and when it’s over, I’m gonna sleep for two days straight.”
“Well, you’re gonna need your rest for the wedding. I can’t wait to get you onto the dance floor.”
“You dance?” I picked up my head and looked at him skeptically.
“Hell, yeah,” he replied and demonstrated with a little head shake, shoulder shimmy combo, making me almost choke on my sandwich.
“Well, now I’m even more excited.”
