Emerson shifted his weight from one foot to the other, then he peered out into the distance before he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Not really, no.”
She climbed to her feet and grabbed her greased rag from her back pocket. “What’s going on? Is Rose okay?”
He cut her a look as if to ask why she would bring up Rose. No, they weren’t dating. And it was clear Rose had zero interest in Emerson, though River thought they could make something work.
His irritation flickered like a lightbulb on its way out. “I don’t know. Rose is her own person.”
River bit back a smile and a retort to go with it. She shifted her weight to the other leg and studied him. “Okay, so what’s bothering you? Haven’t seen you around a lot lately.”
“That’s just it, isn’t it?”
Her brows pulled together, confusion flooding her mind. “Wait, are you upset with me? Because we haven’t been hanging out as much?”
Emerson sighed, then dragged a hand through his hair. “That makes me sound like I’m being immature.”
“Well, are you?”
“I don’t know, River. When you first moved here, we clicked. I could talk to you about things that I couldn’t tell anyone else. You got me.”
The initial irritation she felt rising to the surface was immediately doused. “Emerson.”
“But it’s more than that. I miss hanging out with you, sure. But…” His brows pulled together and a definite look of concern filled his eyes when he returned his steady gaze to her. Hesitation laced his words. “How good do you even know Mathew?”
“I’m getting to know him,” she scoffed. “He’s Rose’s cousin, it’s not like he’s some stranger around here.”
“I know he’s Rose’s cousin, but…” He shrugged again. “I know what his father was like. Fred didn’t even spend that much time at home with his wife when she probably needed him the most.”
She scowled at him. “He’snothinglike his father.”
Surprise was written all over Emerson’s face, and she could practically hear his inner thoughts.How could she possibly know whether or not Mathew was like his father?Well, she didn’t owe Emerson anything. She’d seen how hard Mathew had been working to change himself for the better. He’d proven day after day when he’d chosen to prioritize her. It couldn’t be easy.
Right now, she felt like she was in a standoff with her friend. River didn’t know what he was going to say next, and she couldn’t help but stiffen in preparation.
Emerson’s surprise shifted, fading away into something else. “I’m worried about you,” he said softly.
Her brows shot up. “Worried about me? Worried how?”
“You’re…” He adjusted the hat on his head. “I’m worried that you’re going to get hurt.”
His words stung. She couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly that rubbed her the wrong way. Was it the way he’d inferred that Mathew couldn’t be trusted? Or that she was too lovesick to protect herself? Either way, she didn’t like it. “Emerson, I’m fine.”
“You don’t trust easily,” he went on to say. “And this guy is moving too fast. You’re going to find yourself getting too attached, and then what? Will you be able to handle it?”
The memories of long nights when she’d confided in Emerson about her past, while he’d connected with her regarding his own upbringing, came back with full force. He was right. She didn’t trust easily. It was strange that she’d openedup to Emerson in the first place, but Mathew was different. She hadn’t told him much about her upbringing the way she had with Emerson. She didn’t trust him with that part of her heart yet.
And at the same time, she could feel herself falling for the man. At some point she was going to have to tell him everything about herself and how hard it was to fully trust another person. The thought terrified her.
“See? I know you can sense it. You’re not ready for something this serious. It’s only been a short while since you’ve met the guy, and we both know how he was raised.”
“I trust him, Emerson,” she said. “I don’t have any reason not to. He hasn’t lied to me. He’s never withheld information from me. He’s been very open about what he struggles with and what he’s trying to do to fix it.”
Emerson didn’t seem convinced. “But?—”
She sliced a hand through the air to cut him off. “But nothing. Mathew is a good man.”
“I never said he wasn’t.”
“If you’re trying to get me to walk away from the first good relationship I’ve found, then maybe the issue isn’t with him. Maybe it’s with you.”
