“God, how could they do something like that? They’re yourparentsfor Christ’s sake.”
Bright shook her head, her smile wistful. “Parenting meant something different to them than it does to other people. To them, a child needed to be strictly disciplined. Controlled. If I stepped out of line, the punishment had to be harsh so that I’d learn my lesson.”
“Psychopaths,” Emmy muttered.
Bright laughed at that. “Possibly sociopaths, I’ll give you that. But anyway, they were gracious enough not to press charges so long as I surrendered the car to them. I made the arrangements to do that, and then I just… walked the rest of the way to Cobalt. Figured I could at least find a motel or someplace to stay for the night, but then I saw the vacancy in the space that is now my shop. I took that as a sign… literally. There was a big For Lease sign in the window, right?” She giggled at the way Emmy snorted with laughter and rolled her eyes. “I know. I can be a bit much. But that’s it. Now, I own my own car, and I’m in control of my own life.”
“Have you heard from your parents at all?”
“They sent me an email confirming receipt of the car.”
“Fuck that’s cold,” Emmy breathed.
“The coldest. But it’s done now.” Bright briefly squeezed Emmy’s hand. “Thanks for letting me spew on you. It wasall fresh on my mind since I just gave Jared the full story. His reactions were along the same line as yours, though his were a bit more… impassioned.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet. I guess that means things are going well between you two?”
“Yes they are.” Bright’s smile was that of a cat who’d gotten the cream. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but that’s just what I’ve got with Jared. And it’s real.” She didn’t catch Emmy’s wince at the word “real.” “I feel more for Jared than I ever felt for my ex.”
“I’m glad for you. You’re like the poster child for ‘All’s well that ends well.’”
“Ha! I love that. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Do you want to stay for the next episode?” Emmy offered. “Learn how to build a credenza or something?”
“Tempting as that is, I’d better go. I don’t want to leave Bianca alone too long. But thank you. This was super fun.”
When Emmy stood, Bright pulled her into a hug. She was surprisingly okay with the gesture. Thinking of her own parents, their warmth and kindness, their guidance throughout her life, she squeezed Bright a little tighter.
“Seriously good job on the landscaping,” Bright said again, looking out the window at the yard. “Are you in business? Should I spread the word? Or do you not have time to do it professionally and write at the same time?”
Write?Oh, yes. She was a romance novelist, according to Will. “I’m not in business. No need to advertise for me. Yet.”
“I like the ‘yet.’ If you ever need tips on how to start your own business, hit me up. We can grab coffee.”
“Thank you. I’ll do that.”
“Bye for now!”
Emmy watched Bright walk down the driveway to the slightly beaten-up Jetta she was clearly proud to own. The author hadn’t pulled any punches when it came to Bright’s backstory.
Reluctant to close herself back inside on such a beautiful day, she went out the front door to try to see what Bright saw when she drove up to the house. She looked at her own work, trying to be objective, and decided she was no amateur. The wind chime Bright had made was singing its song while the breeze carried the scent of fresh herbs from the window box by the kitchen. With a sigh, Emmy stretched out on the grass and closed her eyes. The sun warmed her skin and the breeze cooled it again. This was what she needed. Just a couple minutes of peace to shut her brain off.
Sixteen
Will found her like that when he came home from work. She was sleeping in the sunlight with the bright green grass and cheerfully colored flowers all around her. One leg tucked under the other. The breeze caused her hair to ripple gently over her face. A strand caught on her full lower lip, and he saw her mouth was parted ever so slightly. It was like some modern take on a fairy tale wherein Sleeping Beauty wore sweatpants and Prince Charming stank of hospital and sweat. Another big difference, Will thought as he set his shopping bag down on the front step, was that he wasn’t going to kiss Emmy awake. It was tempting.Shewas tempting. But he didn’t have the fairy tale prince’s loose grip on morals that would allow him to kiss a sleeping woman. Instead, he sat down in the grass beside her and gently shook her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open, and she frowned up at him in confusion.
“Hey,” she said blearily.
“Hey, yourself. You often take naps on the front lawn?”
“Is that where I am?” She sat up and pressed a hand to her forehead. “Right. Yeah. I was admiring my work after Bright left. I just meant to soak up the sun for a second. Must have dozed off.”
“You been sleeping okay?” Will asked, trying to subtly check her pulse and temperature. “Any headaches or dizziness?”
Emmy was not amused. “Put the stethoscope away, Nurse Watson. I’m fine.” She pushed herself to her feet as he did, but as quickly as she’d stood up, she fell back down again, her leg evidently asleep from the way she’d been lying. Will tried to catch her a second too late and ended up overbalancing on the uneven ground. With an “oomph,” a grunt, and several curses, Will landed on his back with Emmy draped over him. They lay there for a moment, both of them panting and trying to process what had just happened. He could feel her heartbeat with how close their chests were pressed together, could feel her warm breath ghosting over his face.
“Do you wish to amend your previous statement at all?” Will asked quietly, brushing some of her disheveled hair out of her face. He grazed his fingers lazily up and down her back, let his gaze flick down to her lips. It would be soeasyto just lift his head slightly to kiss them…
