“Your heat?” he says, lifting his thick black eyebrows. “That sounds like a Bainbridge problem. If you’re cold, call them.”
I wave a hand away. “They’re letting me stay here for free. It’s not a big deal.”
“You aren’t staying for free. You’re painting. Bringing in patrons. This is a residency. Not a hostel.”
“It’s fine. I only have a few more days. It’s really not a big deal.”
He rolls his eyes. “Must you be so long-suffering? Complain a little! Make demands!”
I toss the blanket at him. “Stop it and give me my coffee.”
We settle onto the couch with coffee and a couple of croissants Emerson miraculously pulls from his inside coat pocket. They are a tiny bit smushed, but they are no less delicious for it, so I cannot complain.
“This is the best surprise ever,” I say as I take another bite of the buttery croissant. “How did you know I was here?”
“I told you. Instagram,” he says.
“No, I know. Butherehere. Did you know the Bainbridge has living quarters attached?”
“I didn’t. I actually thought I’d find you working. Is the studio closed today?”
“It’s always closed on Fridays,” I say.
“Then all of this makes more sense,” he says, motioning to my pajama-clad self. “So how has it been? Amazing? I’m sure it’s been amazing.”
I can’t help but smile. “It totally has been. Everyone has been so supportive, and I’ve met some incredible artists. I’ve loved every second of it.”
“Was I correct in thinking I saw a photo of you with Calista Reinhart? Isn’t she the gallerist from the Rooke?”
“She is, and I absolutely freaked out when she stopped by. She wants me to come by the gallery on Sunday morning for tea.”
“Shut up. Is she going to offer you a show?”
“I have no idea. I really don’t want to get my hopes up, but she had great things to say about the piece I was working on, and…I don’t know. It was really good talking to her.”
“You know she’sfromGeorgia, right?” Emerson says. “She went to SCAD.”
“She told me.”
“I went to a guest lecture she did my freshman year—it was brilliant.” Emerson studied interior design at SCAD, but it’s totally like him to attend all the guest lectures no matter the department. “Anyway, I’m super excited that might happen for you, but that’s not what I want to talk about right now.”
“Right!” I quickly say. “You and Jeremy! I want to hear all about it.”
Emerson stares at me like I’ve grown a third eyeball in the middle of my forehead. “Are you serious right now?”
“Of course I’m serious. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Sarah. We are not talking about my very boring, very normal relationship when you are dating a professional hockey player.”
I press my lips together. Of course he wants to talk about Carter, but I’m not actually sure Icanwithout telling Emerson the whole entire truth. That’s the kind of friendship we have.
When Carter and I hashed out details of how this would work with Anna and Miles, we came up with a list of insiderswho would know the actual truth about our relationship. I didn’t put Emerson on it, but I should have. Now that we’re together in person, lying to him feels impossible.
“Right,” I say. “I guess you would want to know about that.”
“You think?” he says. “Spill it. I need all the details.”
I bite my lip, considering my options. I want to tell Emerson, but I can’t do that unless I clear it with Carter first. We agreed on the list, and I won’t violate his trust.
