He flopped out of view, going back to sleep, Emmeline guessed, though luckily without such loud snoring. Millie focused back on her sister. “I need every single detail. Right now. You know, sometimes while feeding I listen to podcastsabout how to be a better mother, but I realize now I should just call you for entertainment instead.”
Emmeline laughed, then went into detail about the entire day. She got off her bed and took her phone to the bathroom, setting it by the sink as she washed her makeup off and did her skincare routine, easily chatting with her sister as she did so. She felt like they were in school again, sharing a bathroom and catching up on the day as they got ready for bed.
It was another hour before she hung up and got into bed and, even though she was tired, she felt too excited to fall asleep. She kept grinning to herself, feeling fizzy.
Chapter 27
The next morning, Emmeline woke feeling just as happy as she had last night, and her joy only increased as she realized it hadn’t been a dream. It had been real. She could still taste him on her tongue, feel the way he’d held her flush against him.
Her heartbeat quickened, and she was dying to see him again. She had never felt this way before, and while it was kind of freaking her out, it was exciting all the same.
She got ready for brunch, humming to herself. Then, she flew over on Torch, who could sense her happiness and twirled through the air. Laughing, she petted Torch’s scales and they dipped down in the air, the wind rushing against her cheeks.
They landed in front of the cafe, and she dismounted, touching Torch’s face before heading in. She was excited to see her friends, but most of her excitement was to see Luke again.
When she entered, she saw the group sitting at the table in the back corner. Luke was there already, and the sight of himsent tiny sparks shooting across her skin. She felt ten years younger, like a teenager discovering the rush of infatuation for the first time.
“There she is!” Saphira said, waving. Emmeline walked over, and her friends all stood, welcoming her with birthday wishes. Aiden, Saphira, Lavinia, Theo, and Ginny. And Luke. Her gaze kept straying to him, even as she hugged her friends, and the girls absolutely noticed, giggling.
“Where’s Motu?” Ginny asked. Fang was with her, and the baby dragon obediently sat by her black-booted feet.
“At my parents’,” Emmeline replied, sitting down next to Ginny. “I’m going to pick him up later.” She turned to Saphira, who was on her other side. “Where’s Sparky?”
“Out in the garden,” Saphira said, tucking an errant wave back into her braid. She was wearing an oversized pink sweater over a floral dress.
“How’s riding going?” Emmeline asked.
“It was going well, but I’m taking a break now,” Saphira replied. That made sense since she was pregnant.
Emmeline nodded, then turned her attention to the beautiful brunch spread Saphira had set up with vases of flowers and lit taper candles. Saphira had made a feast: chicken paratha rolls, cookie-butter French toast, along with karak chai and a gorgeous-looking cake that was topped with bright candied orange peels.
“Oooh, everything looks delicious,” Emmeline said, taking everything in.
“It’s an orange cake,” Theo told her proudly. She noticed he had a scrunchie around his wrist; it must have been Lavinia’s. Her straight hair was down at the moment.
“I think we should have cake first,” Emmeline said, and he pushed it her way, along with a knife. They all clapped as she cut into it, then plated a slice for herself. She took a bite; it was sweet and zesty, with the perfect amount of citrus.
“How is it?” Theo asked, running a hand through his wavy hair.
“Oh my god, amazing,” Emmeline told him. Theo beamed, pleased, and Lavinia hugged his arm, looking up at him with stars in her eyes. Saphira slid the cake her way to cut it for everyone else, but Aiden took the knife from her hands, doing it himself. He made sure to give her an extra-large piece, which Saphira happily took.
“Thank you all for wanting to celebrate my birthday with me,” Emmeline said, raising her mug of chai. “I really appreciate it.”
They dug into the brunch spread, chatting about random things. Luke was sitting across from Emmeline, between Theo and Aiden, and as she saw the boys talking, she felt her heart warming. She hadn’t realized how special this could be, and the best birthday gift was seeing how seamlessly he fit in with the people important to her.
After they finished eating, Saphira turned to Aiden and said, “Why don’t you take Fang outside to Spark with Theo and Luke.”
Aiden looked confused for a second. “Why do I need to take Theo and Luke—”
Saphira seemed to silently communicate something with him, and he nodded. “Ah.”
He got up, and Ginny sent Fang with him, the babydragon following the boys outside until only the girls were left. Luke glanced over his shoulder at her, and Emmeline’s heart skipped a beat as he flashed her an easy smile.
“Finally, some girl time,” Saphira said, once they were gone.
“Love the boys, but you’re so right,” Lavinia agreed, cutting herself another slice of cake, which was nearly finished.
“Now tell useverything,” Ginny demanded. Emmeline smiled, then started from the beginning, explaining how the more time she spent with Luke, the harder it was to fight her growing feelings for him. How she had finally given in. Saphira and Lavinia squealed.
