Page 75 of A New Chapter

Chapter 35

The day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, brought in a steady stream of customers to A New Chapter. Emma, Kelly, and Brett were kept busy all day long with only a short break for lunch, which Zack and Gracie had kindly brought in.

“Guess what, Miss Emma? We’re going Christmas shopping with Uncle Damian, and he’s going to let me pick out my own Christmas present!”

Emma looked to Zack for confirmation, and he nodded in response.

“Well, what are you going to look for?” Emma asked with genuine interest.

“A puppy!”

“Oh no,” Zack said. “We’ve already talked about this, Gracie. I said no pets until you’re a little older.”

“But Daaaad…”

Emma restrained herself from chiming in, but she had an idea that she would share with Zack later. “Maybe you could look for another doll instead,” Emma suggested, and Zack gave her an appreciative nod.

“I already have a lot of dolls,” Gracie replied.

Emma gave her a squeeze and said, “I’m sure whatever Uncle Damian buys you will be great.”

Emma walked them to the door and automatically leaned in to kiss Zack goodbye, but he shot her a warning look. Emma didn’t hide her dismay, and she was certain that Zack was aware of it when he left the store. When will it be ok to show affection in front ofGracie? They had certainly been spending a lot of time together, the three of them, and they had hugged in front of Gracie plenty of times. Why is Zack still holding back? Is there some other reason that I don’t know about?

“Em, we need you over here,” Kelly called, breaking Emma’s chain of worrisome thoughts.

I’ll talk to him about it tonight, she decided and delved back into her work.

It wasn’t until eight o’clock that night that business slowed down enough for Emma and Kelly to chat. Emma had let Brett leave an hour earlier because he had “a hot date,” which left her and Kelly and a few last-minute customers.

“So whatever happened with Luke?” Emma asked when they had perched on the stools behind the counter.

“The history teacher?” Kelly acted like she couldn’t remember.

“Yeah. Was he as worldly as you thought he’d be?”

“I decided that history is kind of boring. It was never my favorite subject in school.”

Emma laughed out loud and shook her head. “Have you decided that a certain custom car builder is more to your liking?”

Kelly’s eyes twinkled, and her face lit up. “Perhaps.”

“Hmm… so let’s see, being a car builder makes him…”

“Skilled with his hands! What else can I say, Em? He’s yummy!”

“So, Zack’s delicious, and Damian’s yummy. Maybe what you really need is a pastry chef!”

“Joke all you want, but we’re going out tomorrow night,” Kelly said haughtily.

“Do you really think that’s a good idea, Kell? You know that Damian is only going to be around for a few weeks, right?”

“Yeah, so?”

“So, what’s the point of it? What if you fall for him, and then he leaves?”

Kelly looked down and picked at a loose thread on her skirt. “I’m not looking for forever, Em. I’m not like you. I don’t need hearts and flowers and white picket fences. I’m a good-time girl. If Damian and I have fun for a few weeks, that’s good enough for me.”

Emma sighed. When will Kelly stop trying to hide behind this false persona that she’s created? I know she’s a true romantic at heart. When will she stop bluffing and just admit it?