“Let’s go up to my room.” She grabs my hand and pulls me up the stairs.
Entering her room, I close the door and look around. I’ve never been in here, but I imagine it looks the same as it did before she left for college. White walls, pink décor. A white four-post bed that sits up against the wall with pink and silver throw pillows. She lets go of my hand and turns to face me.
She had messaged me earlier today that she was coming home tonight to spend time with her mother, and that she wanted me to come by and see her. That we needed to talk. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”
“I kissed Bones.” I barely get the question out before she answers.
I just stare at her.
“I’m sorry.” She runs a hand through her hair. “I didn’t know where we stood. I didn’t want you to think I’m one of those girls who expects you to be faithful to me. And I didn’t want you to think I have any expectations,” she rambles, “because I don’t.” She throws her hands up in the air. “But I don’t want you mad at Bones. I went to see him.” She swallows nervously at my silence. “I needed to tell him that we slept together because I didn’t want him mad at you.”
“Em …?”
“I didn’t want Grave to tell him.”
“Em?”
“I’m so …”
“Em!” I growl her name this time.
She takes a step back and bows her head, breathing heavy after her rambling.
I step into her, grip her chin, and force her to look up at me. “I know.”
“What?” Her lips part and blue eyes widen.
“Bones told me.”
“I didn’t mean for it …”
“Will you stop?” I give her a soft smile. “Emilee, I’m not jealous of your past with Bones. I’m also not jealous about what happened today in his office.”
“So you’re not mad at him?” she asks cautiously.
“No.” I can’t help but chuckle.
She runs a hand through her hair. “Well, now I’m embarrassed,” she mumbles to herself.
Bones and I have an understanding. He had her; I wanted her. I wouldn’t call my friend stupid, but I would say when he wouldn’t commit to her, it was a mistake. Emilee is the full package. She’s the kind of woman you use in the bedroom but parade her around as a fucking queen in the streets of peasants.
“I just didn’t know what we are.”
I frown.
She explains further. “I didn’t want you to think I was putting a label on us. But I also wanted him to know what we were doing. I’d hate to come between the two of you.”
“It’s not like that.” I smile at her concern. “But as for us …” I run the pad of my thumb over her bottom lip. “You’re mine, Em.”
“Yours?” She seems shocked.
“Yes.” I run my hands down over her neck and feel her pulse race. “Have a problem with that?”
She swallows and shakes her head, whispering, “No.”
“Good.” I lean down and press my lips to hers. “Now pack your bag and let’s go.”
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