“Yes, we need some sleep. We’ve both had a long day, and morning is going to come sooner than you expect. What time do you have to be somewhere tomorrow? Or I guess, it’s this morning.”
“I need to be at the school before noon for an assembly.”
“Then we definitely need to get some sleep.” I kiss her lips and yank open the door. “Come on, Em, let’s go to bed.”
When she slides out, I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close and kissing her temple. Now that I’ve touched her, I can’t stop. I don’t want to stop.
As I navigate opening and closing the door and leading her up the steps, she lays her head on my chest. We move together in unison like we’re meant to be together. There’s no awkward elbowing of each other. Or stepping on each other’s toes. It’s seamless. And perfect. It feels like I’ve dreamed up a perfect end to the night and grasped it out of the universe, making it real.
Shit, dude, you’re acting like a lovesick fool. My foot hits the risers of the top step.
Love. I’m in love, love with Emily. Like seriously, love. My heart pounds against my ribs.
Her head jerks upward until she’s looking at me. “What? Is something wrong?” The panic in her eyes as she comes to a stop eases my stress. “Do you need something?”
“No, I’m fine.” I comb a strand of her hair behind her ear with my fingers. “Everything’s perfect.”
And for once, I don’t have to be afraid it’ll blow up in my face.
“Are you sure? You looked sick there for a second.”
“No, I’m good.” I squeeze her to me and kiss the top of her head. I’m not going to insult her by telling her I had a minor heart attack at the thought of being in love with her. I don’t think she’d appreciate the humor.
And that’s not the issue. The issue is that I expected falling in love to be a slow process, going from attraction, to dating, being exclusive, and then eventually to love. But instead, it hit me like a 2x4 to the face.
But we’ve been leading to this moment for years. Defending her when Amanda talked shit about her back when we were in high school. The zip of attraction when I saw her after going to college. The realization that I wanted more than a best friend’s little sister relationship with her.
Watching her work as a paramedic. Seeing how she took to an abandoned baby. The care she gives to her mom. All the extra activities that she does for the community from helping with school athletics to rushing off to help when an emergency occurs. The sass she gives to her brother.
To me.
And then there’s how she lights up when I touch her. Fuck, all of it has led to this moment.
She remains stiff at my side. “Tell me if something’s wrong.”
“Of course. Come on. Let’s get some sleep.” I grab her hand, lacing our fingers together and lead her to the bedroom.
I’ve been waiting for her. For this moment. For our chance at a future. And I’m not letting her go.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Emily
This time, when I open my eyes, I know where I am. I’m in Jake’s bed with his arm wrapped around me, holding me tightly to his solid, warm body. His eyes are closed as his chest slowly rises and falls. He mumbles something and tightens his grip, pulling me closer until every inch of my body is smashed against his. He says something again and kisses my temple.
But how did I get here? I stare at the ceiling as some of the previous night flashes before my eyes. Rusty Nail. Why was I at Rusty Nail? I wrinkle my nose. I met Ruby there, and….
And we saw Jake with Amanda.
I tip my head back and glare at him. The urge to kick him in the groin hits hard. Stop. Wait. You’re here with him, and your leg is wrapped around him. Think. What else happened?
Ruby and I went somewhere…. Think. Callahan’s Bar. I see the lit-up sign from the bar in my mind.
There was drinking. I cringe. Too much drinking. And some annoying guy that Ruby set me up with. He–
I bolt upright in the bed, knocking Jake’s arm off me as his eyes snap open.
“What’s wrong?” He lurches to a seated position as I gasp down a gulp of air.
