Chapter One
Emily
He’s here. My heart races in my chest as I watch Jake and his college friend climb out of Jake’s extended cab 4x4 pickup. From my upstairs bedroom window, I can’t make out much of the friend’s features, but I know Jake’s by heart.
He’s 6’3” tall, or at least, he was this past summer before he went back to college. He has dark brown hair, bright blue eyes, a strong jawline, and muscles for days.
I’ve been in love with my brother’s best friend for three years. I just didn’t know this would be the weekend he’d break my heart.
They grab their bags from the backseat and slam their doors shut as my brother, Kaleb, bounds out of the house and hugs Jake before shaking his friend’s hand. I think Kaleb said Jake’s friend’s name is Simon or Samuel or something like that. Jake slaps my brother on the back as they laugh.
Our next-door neighbor, Officer Hank Nolan, an older man on the police force, steps outside his front door and waves at Jake. My mother was elated after Officer Nolan and his wife, Janet, moved in when I was ten. He proved to be another motivating force in keeping us on the straight and narrow, which was beneficial since our dad skipped town when I was born.
My dad couldn’t stomach small-town living anymore. It was too claustrophobic for him. Apparently, he was going through a midlife crisis in his early twenties.
We see our dad most Christmases when he flies in from the East Coast or when he buys us plane tickets to stay with him for a few days in the summer. He lives in Boston with his new wife, Roseline, and their children–the kids he dotes on.
I don’t think he’d show up at Christmas except that his parents still live here. My stepsiblings, Mason and Abigail, are seven and five. They’re adorable, but I can’t say I don’t resent the fact that they get the good dad who showers them with attention, while we get the $100 bills shoved at us.
“Emily!” My mom’s voice calls from downstairs. “Get down here.”
“I’ll be there in a second.”
“Hurry up. Our guests are here.” If I wasn’t as excited as she is about seeing Jake again, it’d be annoying that she’s essentially butchering the fattened calf for him.
I glance down at my shirt.Paramedics Do It Better.The bright purple color of the shirt highlights my skin tone, and the tight fabric shows off my chest and a few inches of my belly. Not that I’ve done it, but Jake doesn’t need to know that I’m a virgin.
I’ve got to do something to catch and keep his eye. He’s always surrounded by the most beautiful, popular girls. The cheerleader and prom queen types. That’s not me. I’m the athletic, sporty sort. But I swear I’ve seen him looking at me out of the corner of his eye when no one else is watching.
After I twist my hair into a messy bun, I study my reflection. This will have to do. I smack my cheeks, trying to rid my face of its pale pallor from the lack of summer sunshine. That didn’t help.
“Ugh,” I groan and roll my eyes. Now, it looks like someone slapped me. I pinch my cheeks, trying to brighten the spots that my fingers missed. I should’ve spent more time learning how to put on makeup rather than letting Bella, one of my two best friends, work her magic.
More voices come from downstairs as my mother gets introduced to Jake’s friend, and she carries on about how grown-up Jake looks.
Here goes nothing. I sling my workout bag on my shoulder as the scent of my mom’s biscuits and sausage gravy fills the hallway, making my mouth water and regret fill my soul. Last year, I could eat two helpings and not gain an ounce. Now, I look at one biscuit and gain a pound.
And don’t even think about adding sausage and gravy into the mix.
“Em, get down here and see Jake. He’s here with his friend, Spencer.”
Spencer. Not Simon or Samuel. Spencer.
“I’m coming.” I take the first step and nearly fall on my face as Jake and his friend stare up at me.
“Em.” Jake’s sapphire eyes rake over me, sending heat curling in my core. All it takes is one look, and I’m melting into a puddle at his feet. I straighten my shoulders. He can pretend all that he wants that he’s not interested, but that look tells a different story.
I gnaw on my bottom lip. Doesn’t it?
His attention lands on my cleavage. In less than a heartbeat, his gaze jumps away while a pink hue peppers his cheeks.
Goal #1–achieved. Before the weekend is over, I’m going to get him to admit he wants me.
If we start dating now, by the time I graduate in May, it’ll be time to take things to the next level. He’ll complete college, move back home, and our happily ever after will begin.
By the time I’ve finished paramedic school, he’ll be ready to pop the question, and the babies will come next. A baby with dark curls and blue eyes…. Just the thought has my knees weak.
“God, Em, could you wear something decent for once?” Kaleb shakes his head in disgust while Jake’s friend, Spencer, shifts forward.
