“C’mon, do you really think Matt is going to be happy living here?” She’d thought it many times, but until now she’d kept it to herself.
“Yeah.” Emma removed the card from Matt and held it up. “What does this say?”
“‘Love Matt.’ But¾”
“But nothing. He’s not given you any reason to doubt his feelings or that he’ll get tired of living here, so don’t make problems that don’t exist. He wants you to meet his parents. If that doesn’t say serious, I don’t know what does.”
Why had she told Emma that? “You’re right.”
“I know I am. Now, since you’re free tonight, why don’t you come by? The newest season of Under Fire starts tonight. Phoebe is coming.”
She’d planned to watch it already, but it would be more fun with Emma and Phoebe. “Count me in.”
“Good. Come over as soon as you’re done here.” Emma handed back the card and picked up her keys. “I’m heading to the grocery store for snacks, and then I’m going home.”
“I’ll be over around five.” That gave her time to finish here and stop by her apartment to change.
* * *
A little over an hour later, the scent of garlic greeted Liv when she walked into Emma’s house.
“It’s about time you got here.” Emma looked up briefly before going back to cutting a pan of brownies.
“I said around five, not at five.” She didn’t ask before snatching a garlic knot off the baking sheet. “It’s only ten minutes after.”
Phoebe entered the room and, like Liv, grabbed a garlic knot. “I want it known that I beat you here today.”
While one of Liv’s pet peeves was being late, Phoebe seemed to have the opposite problem. The only time you could count on her being on time was when she was working.
“Is the world going to end tomorrow?” Liv asked.
“If it does, you’ll both save money because you won’t have to buy bridesmaid dresses.” Phoebe held up her hand and wiggled her fingers.
“When did Aaron ask?” Emma practically jumped over the table to give Phoebe a hug.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Liv asked at the same time.
“Saturday. It was our three-year anniversary.”
Only three years? It seemed like they’d been a couple forever.
“This calls for champagne,” Emma exclaimed.
“Do you always keep champagne in your fridge, or did Aaron tell you?”
Emma set the bottle and three glasses on the table. “I always have a bottle. You never know when you’re going to have something to celebrate.”
And she thought she knew everything about Emma.
“Have you guys set a date?” Liv asked as she filled the glasses.
“Not an exact date, but we’re thinking sometime in the summer.”
“If you need a caterer, I have the name of a great one.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be the first I call. Now let’s start the show. Otherwise, we’ll only have time for one episode.”
“First, we need a toast.” Emma picked up her glass and waited for everyone to follow her lead. “Congrats, Phoebe! Liv and I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle carrying flowers from Exquisite Flowers before eating a meal prepared by Ocean View.”
