ONE
Emma
I stepped outside, the morning chill biting at my bare arms as I hauled the trash can to the curb. A bit of soreness nagged at my neck, a memento from an old car wreck that liked to say hello when I least wanted it. I squinted against the light, pulling the bin back from the street just in time to catch a glimpse of Beth's car idling by Wade's place next door.
Every muscle in my body tensed. I didn’t want to spy on them, but a huge part of me felt Beth and Wade were perfect for each other. I think even Wade knew it. Beth was the one who needed convincing. But maybe he’d finally managed to convince her?
Unable to help myself, I took a step closer. Through the windshield, their silhouettes were close, too close for just friends. My gut twisted with a strange blend of curiosity and something else… Feet-kicking excitement? It looked like they were about to kiss, lips inching closer — but then they didn't. Beth pulled away, her hand brushing through her tied-back blonde hair as if she needed to put some space between them.
No Beth, go for it! Go for it! But, instead, Wade stepped out of the car. I watched as Beth’s pained gaze turned to me, and hereyes widened. I debated about running for it back into the house, feeling like I’d just spied on a private moment, but she killed the engine, and climbed out of the car.
"Hey, Emma!" Beth called out through the quiet morning.
"Morning," I replied. "Everything okay?"
"Can we talk?" Her eyes darted away from mine, blue and clouded with something unreadable.
"Sure." I gestured toward my porch. "Coffee?"
"Gods, yes." Her chuckle was strained, but it was pure Beth. She said a quick goodbye to Wade and darted down the sidewalk. We walked up the steps together, the wooden boards creaking under our feet as we moved.
"Something on your mind?" I asked as I pushed open the door, leading her into the chaos of our wedding prep supplies sprawled across my living room. Tulle and ribbons everywhere, like a craft store had exploded. "Excuse the mess."
"Wow, it's really happening, huh?" Beth managed a weak smile as she glanced at the table, cluttered with decorations.
Yes, very soon my little brother and Alice would be tying the knot. As nervous as I had been for my own wedding, I wasn’t the least bit nervous for theirs. They were the perfect couple. Quirky as individuals and as a couple, in ways that just made sense. I knew they’d be happy together.
"Two weeks out," I said, excitement in my voice.
From the kitchen, the sizzle of bacon mingled with Henry's laughter and Daniel's deep voice guiding him through flipping pancakes. I knew that sound—Daniel was in his element, caringfor people the best way he knew how. And Henry was right there with him, loving every second of it, an almost father-son relationship having formed between them that made my little heart want to explode.
"Hey, Emma?" Daniel called out, unaware of our guest, "Where'd you put the—Oh, hey, Beth."
He stopped in the doorway, wearing jeans and a plaid shirt that hugged him in all the right places. My bear shifter was a giant of a man, with big arms that I loved to touch. Arms I’d never get tired of touching, just like the rest of him.
"Morning," Beth greeted, her attempt at cheerfulness falling flat.
"Everything all right?" he asked, eyes narrowing in concern as his gaze ran over her.
"Fine,” she said, but even the word sounded everything but fine.
"Let's talk outside," I suggested to Beth, catching her eye. She nodded gratefully, eager to escape the warm, domestic scene that must have been suffocating her after all she’d been through with her ex cheating on her with her sister.
Beth was one of those people who was there celebrating every milestone for me and her friends, and as much as we appreciated it, I knew that deep down it was hard for her to see us all moving on. I understood that. When I was miserable in my marriage, it was hard to see other people being happy and in love.
"Be right back," I said.
We moved onto the porch, the worn wooden boards familiar beneath my feet. Morning light cast long shadows around us, and I sat in my favorite chair, nudging a fallen leaf with my toe.Beth took the chair opposite me, her eyes searching mine before she looked away.
"Thanks," she mumbled, pulling her jacket tighter around her.
"Anytime." I leaned back, resting my elbows on the railing behind me.
Then, I waited, because it was clear Beth had something to tell me. Maybe it’d be about Wade. Maybe it wouldn’t be. Either way, I’d be here, ready to listen, just the way she’d always been there for me.
The screen door creaked open, and Daniel stepped out, balancing two steaming mugs. "Coffee delivery."
"Thank you," Beth said as he handed her a mug.
