Page 38 of All Tied Down

And really, it might be too late.

Emerson Andrews has me all tied up even more than she’s tied me down.

EMERSON

It’s almost a new day as I sit in my makeshift office, the house quiet after Garrett fell asleep. I tried but I felt restless and eventually found myself in front of my computer like a creature of habit, burning the midnight oil.

Normally, I’d be halfway through my inbox by now, but I can’t get Garrett’s face out of my head when I told him how I treat relationships. It’s never sounded cold before, but maybe that’s because I wasn’t practically curled up in some guy’s lap who has made it his temporary mission to be the best husband imaginable.

It has to be temporary.

As much as I’m enjoying my time with Garrett, my role at Andrews International cannot sustain me being away from the office long-term.

There’s only one person that understands my devotion to the company, but will she still understand?

EMERSON: I hurt Garrett’s feelings today

ISLA: On purpose or by accident? Because I told Hank to take the trash out and I got impatient he was taking too long and did it myself

ISLA: And then told him his mini cheesecakes were dry because I was still mad

I stare at my screen and blink.

And then blink again.

EMERSON: I’m sorry what?

ISLA: I hurt his feelings on purpose

ISLA: But I gave him a blow job later so it’s fine

EMERSON: I’m not sure that’s how that works

ISLA: He put THREE babies in me

ISLA: At one time

ISLA: He will put up with ALL my moods

EMERSON: You make it sound so glamorous

ISLA: Just wait

ISLA: Today Nova and Duke were ganging up on Crew and taking all his apple slices

ISLA: I yelled at them, consoled Crew, and then realized he was upset because they wanted to eat his apple slices and he wanted to feed them to the dog

EMERSON: Your life is so complicated

ISLA: Tell me about it

ISLA: But really what’s going on with Garrett?

EMERSON: He’s nice

ISLA: That’s the worst

EMERSON: And he has friends