Page 85 of The Emma Special

“We’re both quick learners. We’ll figure this out.”

She patted his back. “Okay, Jamesy Boy. It’s time for you to go to work. I’m getting tired. Cooking breakfast took it out of me, and the pain meds are doing their job.”

He rested her gently on the ground. “Why don’t you take a nap here while I’m at work. We’ll continue our talk when I get home. I only have one meeting, and it should be short. I could bring lunch.”

One of her beautifully manicured brows lifted. “Take a nap here? That’s weird.”

“Why? You’re going to be living here soon. Why don’t you try out your new bed. The sheets are clean.”

She pursed her lips as she pondered his suggestion. Then her mouth opened wide in a deep yawn. “Okay. But only because I’m super tired.”

James stacked their plates and moved them to the sink. “Make yourself at home. My house will be your house soon anyway.”

Emma looked around as if seeing the space in a different light. “I love your house. It’s so⁠—”

“Boring?” James asked. He hadn’t put much thought into decorating. He’d bought the house with the intention to fix it up. He’d remodeled the kitchen and bathroom in the last year, but was this really meant to be his starter home with Emma?

Wow. That was a loaded thought. He was starting his life with Emma Glass. Soon. They were going to live together. They were going to become one in the eyes of God.

Emma nervously tapped her fingernail on the bar. “Um, do you think we need a prenup?”

Jerked out of his daydream by the quick dose of real-life, James shook his head. “What? That wasn’t on the list.”

“But I was just thinking about your job. You know, the one that pays well. I’m not exactly bringing the same financial status to the table.”

He sat back down in the chair next to her. “We don’t need a prenup.” He took her hand in his and brushed the pad of his thumb over the soft skin of her knuckles. “I’ll always provide for you. I’m signing up for forever, Emma.”

His phone buzzed on the table, and he ignored it. He kept his gaze locked with hers. “I’m ready to do this with you. It’s all going to be okay.”

Emma glanced at his phone. “Can you answer that?”

“This conversation is more important.”

“Okay, but what if it’s an emergency? Plus, I could use a second to think about all of this.”

James kept his hold on her hand as he answered. “Hello.”

“Hi, Mr. Moore? This is Nancy, and I’m calling from Orthopedic Specialists. We received the referral for Emma Glass. Doctor Tulane has gone over Emma’s MRI results, and we would like to get her in for a pre-op appointment this week if possible.”

James tightened his grip on the phone. “Hold on one second.” He put the call on speakerphone and laid it on the bar in front of Emma. “I have Emma with me. She’ll be able to tell you when she’s available for a pre-op appointment.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “A what?”

“They can get you in to talk about your knee.”

Emma smoothed her hair back before linking her hands in her lap. “Why did you call this number?”

“It was listed as the primary contact on the medical records we received from the hospital.”

“Oh, right,” Emma whispered. “Well, yeah. Let’s get that scheduled.”

“How does Thursday at one fifteen sound?”

The woman went over a few preparations before promising to send a reminder text the day before the appointment.

By the time the call ended, Emma’s breathing had quickened.

“Are you okay? This is good news, right?” James asked.