“Jesse,” she said, darting her eyes from mine. “You were drunk and upset. Whatever happened last night, just forget about it, okay?”
“What if I don’t want to forget it? What if I told you there’s one part of last night that, while I hate the state I was in when it happened, I don’t have a single regret that it did. Sit down, Em. Please. Pretty please with sugar.”
She groaned, rolling her eyes as she sat back down.
“Okay, I’d wanted to give you a day to recover, but nowI’dlike to apologize.”
I flinched back. “Youwant to apologize? For what?”
She averted my gaze, darting her eyes around the room.
“You weren’t thinking clearly. I feel like I took advantage.”
“Took advantage?” I barked out a laugh. “You’re serious?”
“It was an emotional night,” she said, dragging her hand down her face. “I was so upset when I found you like that. At least, that’s what I’m blaming it on for now.” She grimaced when her eyes came back to mine.
“Emily,” I said, squeezing her hand when she dropped her gaze to the carpet. “Of all the stupid things I did and said last night that turn my stomach with regret, kissing you was absolutely not one of them.”
“Like I said, it was an emotional night. The both of us weren’t really at our best.”
“You found me blitzed out of my mind, drunk and handsy and stupid, got me home, and stayed with me to make sure I was okay. You were amazing last night, Em. You always are.”
“You asked me to,” she whispered. “You needed me. So, I stayed.”
If she only knew how much I needed her. Instead of a sloppy drunk confession, I should have just admitted it a long time ago.
I cupped her cheek. “Whatever your reasons, I appreciate it.” I grazed my thumb back and forth along her cheekbone, skimming her lips as I let my hand slide away. Her mouth parted as our eyes stayed locked, a groan rising from my throat as I traced my finger along her jaw.
“Breakfast is served. Unless you’re hanging over the toilet, then it’s breakfast for me.”
Our heads whipped around to Caden’s voice drifting in from my front door.
“Shit. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You didn’t,” Emily chirped, jerking away from me and popping off the couch. “I have a ton of editing to do today. I’ll check on you later, Jesse.” She smoothed a piece of hair falling out of her hair tie behind her ear, her shoulders softening for a moment. “I’m thinking about all of you today. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I’ll do that.”
She nodded, squaring her shoulders before she came up to Caden.
“Thanks for the ride. Watch him today,” she told him in a loud whisper, giving me one last glance over her shoulder before heading out my door.
“Jesus, what the hell happened last night?” Caden looked between me and the path of Emily’s hasty exit.
“A lot,” I said, wincing as I squeezed the back of my neck.
“Good thing for you, I have nothing but time this morning,” He held up a white plastic bag. “We can talk as you eat.”
I fell back against the couch, letting out a long exhale before I stood and followed him into my kitchen.
“Extra-large coffee,” he said, motioning to the paper cup on the table. “I’ll dig out the food, and you can start.”
“Fine,” I said, lifting the cup to my lips for a long sip. “You know today is Tessa’s birthday.”
“I do,” Caden nodded. “I planned on being here this morning but didn’t expect you to go on a bender last night.”
“Neither did I,” I huffed. “I couldn’t handle it and got drunk on my way home from my meeting in the city. Emily found me and brought me home.”
