I stumble to my feet. “We just kissed. But there’s aCelebarticle suggesting otherwise.”
“I never believe those things.” She inspects her chair and sits back down.
Up until this moment, Emma hasn’t brought up Everett to me. I think she respected my situation enough not to ask questions. Based on her nonchalance now, I don’t think she cares if the article is accurate or not.
I should reciprocate that respect and keep her out of it. He’s her family and blending the two could get messy. But after last night, she’s the only person I know who can answer some of the questions I still have. Let’s hope her lack of concern over tabloids also extends to personal information.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” she says.
She’s abandoned her computer and swiveled her chair to face me.
How do I say this?“What was he like… before… you know, when he was just… Everett?”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “He told you.”
Not in so many heartbroken words, but yes.
“His trashed music studio after Quinn’s evaluation yesterday did.”
Surprise leaves Emma’s face. It’s followed by a lack of fine lines around her eyes and mouth. A blankexpression. I’m starving for more of a reaction from her, but all I’m getting is indifference. “Hard to read” runs in the family, I guess.
“He must really like you. Everett doesn’t tell anyone about that part of himself.”
“Right time; right place.” A nervous laugh slips out of my mouth. The truth is, I don’t know if Everett would have ever said anything had I stayed inside his house.
“He was hopeful about the future,” she answers. “Just as anxious, I think. Less exhausted. But he was more open with me back then. You might know him better than I do now.”
I finally get the reaction I was waiting for. It’s not the one I expected though. She’s hurt.
“I wouldn’t say that,” I reassure her. I don’t like witnessing other people’s turmoil when there’s nothing I can do about it.
She makes her point by saying, “I didn’t know Quinn had an evaluation yesterday.”
He didn’t tell her. And I overstepped.Keepoverstepping as I fill in details that should have come from her brother.
“It was for speech therapy. They think Quinn could have APD like him but won’t know until she’s older.”
“That’s why he trashed his studio.” She connects the dots.
I nod. “Does Caroline know?”
She shakes her head. “No one does.”
I assumed as much. Caroline would have a lot more respect for him if she did.
“I’m sorry he didn’t tell you himself,” I say.
Emma reaches across her desk and grabs my hand. “Don’t be. He’s lucky to have you, Summer. So am I.”
Emotion brims beneath the surface, but I force it down. I don’t want to cry in front of her.
“Thank you. But enough about this. It sounds like we have our work cut out for us, and I’m not about to let you give up your bathroom breaks.” I hustle for the door.
“What bathroom breaks?” she asks.
“Exactly!”
