“I’ll call him,” I say, squeezing her arm and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you.”
“Good,” she nods, her smile sending a new wave of comfort over me, “and then after that you’re shutting off your phone.”
“Oh, really?” I ask, quirking a brow.
“Yes,” Emery replies, shimmying herself off the bed. “In the meantime, I’m going to get a shower.”
“Without me?” I ask, cringing a little.
She lets out a light chuckle, shaking her head. “Maybe. Unless you make that call quick,” she says, sealing her statement with a wink.
My pulse quickens as I reach for my phone. Sunlight is still spilling over the room, casting everything in a perfectlygolden hue. Before I had a hard time appreciating mornings like this. Hell, just a few days ago, I was screaming into my pillow over the woman in my shower. But now I wish for more mornings like this one.
More mornings with her.
I grin like an idiot as I press my phone to my ear and listen to the dial tone.
CHAPTER 28
EMERY
“Do you think he’ll like it?” I ask, handing a roll of streamers to Marie.
“Yes,” she huffs with a slight head tilt. “Then again, I’m pretty sure he would’ve been happy with a strip tease and a bucket of chicken.”
“That’s a good back-up plan,” I smile, taking a step back to admire the Rustic Inn in all its glory.
After Knox told me about getting the loan for his shop, I wanted to do something special. So, I decided a surprise congratulatory party would be perfect. I wasn’t even sure if he liked surprise parties, but it was the only way to celebrate a guy who hated being praised for anything. Sure, he likes to joke, but when it comes to me trying to be proud of my boyfriend, he makes it impossible. So, the jerk is getting his very own party—karaoke and all.
It still feels weird to call Knox Cooke my boyfriend even after months of pretending. I never thought I could get out of my own way long enough to make it happen. The last few weeks of our relationship have been an absolute whirlwind, but it’s safe to say I’ve never felt better about a decision in my life.
Don’t get me wrong—there are still some days that I want to strangle Knox, but he has a way of making me smile even when I’m having the worst day.
I feel a gush of wind graze the back of my legs. My stomach drops as I spin around quickly, only for it to settle once I see a blur of blond hair heading toward me.
“Sorry, I’m late!” Emma shouts while balancing a huge cake in her arms. “I had to drop Mi off at Colt’s, and he was throwing the biggest fit because he didn’t get to come to the party. He still can’t grasp what a bar is and why kids aren’t allowed in them.”
“That’s fine,” I smile, helping her slide the gigantic sheet cake onto the bar, “but Knox should be coming any minute, so we have to move quickly.”
“I still think what you’re doing is so incredibly sweet,” she says, patting me on the shoulder. “I can’t wait to see his face!”
I nod warmly back at Emma before she finds Henry at the corner of the room and walks over to him. I let out a deep breath and smooth the wrinkles in my black skirt. I don’t typically do skirts, but it’s Knox’s favorite thing in my closet, and I didn’t mind the way his eyes lit up when he saw me in it.
“I forgot to ask, how are you getting him here?” Marie questions while emptying a bottle of vodka into the punch she’s making.
“Beau is bringing him,” I say, peeking through the side window to make sure I don’t see Beau’s Jeep yet.
A grunt comes from the other side of the bar, and I raise my eyebrows. “Still not a fan?” I ask. I’ve caught her giving him a dirty look on more than one occasion.
“Nope,” Marie answers without hesitating.
“Why don’t you like him?” I ask, placing out some more cups.
She lets out a frustrated huff, causing a strand of red hairto fly out of her face. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you when you’re older.”
I narrow my eyes, leaning in closer. “No way,” I say, pointing my finger. “You’re not getting off that easily. I?—”
“He’s here!” Wren yells, shuffling into a far corner of the bar. I look back at Marie, but she’s already ducked behind the bar with her tail tucked between her legs. But I would get the full story out of her sooner or later. Preferably sooner.
