“You’re definitely not going to kiss me? It’s raining and everything. Perfect moment.” At his tortured expression, I back off. “Okay. Fine. No kissing. But… you’ll still be around while we work this out. You’re not going to disappear on me. Right?”
“Not going anywhere.” He holds out his hand. “You’re my best friend, Em. And now you know everything.”
“And you love me.” I stutter on the words, on letting them out into the air.
Jared squeezes my fingers. “Yeah, Emmy Marsters. I love you.”
My stomach swoops, and drops, and swoops again.
“Then we’ll work it out.”
67
Emmy
“You did that on purpose.” Jared is grinning, but there’s a glint in his eye that has my stomach doing somersaults. “Admit it.”
Lifting my chin in the air, I march toward the market vendors lining the pier. Brightly colored bulbs sway over our heads, strung between poles in a zig-zag pattern. It’s late, but the advert I saw said they were open until eleven. “I will do no such thing.”
I hover my hand over the first display, assessing the little rows of statues. But I’m not paying attention, deeply aware of Jared standing close behind me. He props his chin on my shoulder, and I shiver. “You hated the film too.”
“It had good reviews,” I defend weakly.
“Where?” He’s laughing at me as he reaches past and picks up a figurine. “I like this one.”
The horse has ridiculously large teeth, and oversized ears. “I feel like he’s too cute.”
“Tough.” He reaches into his pocket for his wallet. “I’m adding to the collection of unwanted things.”
“But you want him.” I roll my eyes. “That’s defeating the point.”
“You love Geraldine,” he points out.
I really do. And so does he, deep down.
Deep, deep down.
“Anyway.” Jared chases after me as I keep walking. The weather is turning milder, spring a cool breeze in the air. “As I was saying. The only reason you chose that film is so you could lean over and say that in my ear. I nearly choked on my popcorn.”
“You misheard me.” I bite down on my cheek to stop myself smiling. “I asked if it was a book you’d read.”
“You told me you’d rather be inbed. I’m not Angelo, you know. My hearing works just fine.”
I start laughing properly. “So does his. He just pretends not to hear you.”
What is that?
My arm jerks out, smacking into Jared’s stomach. He grunts. “Ow.”
“Sorry.” But I’m wholly, entirely distracted. Entranced.
He follows my gaze. “Emmy.No.”
“But look at her,” I breathe. “She’s beautiful.”
“That’s really not the point. You literally just said that.”
“But you have to admit, there’s no way in hell anybody else is taking her home.” Grabbing Jared’s hand, I drag him forward.
