Page 40 of A Little Bit Extra

“I can provide food.” Emmett shifts his gaze from the window to me.

“Well, in that case, I can come over before my shift at the diner,” I tell him.

When we get to his building, he has me pull into the garage instead of dropping him off at the front. I can only assume he asked for privacy reasons.

I put the car in park and look at him, placing my right arm on the center console. He has a look in his eye, like he is thinking about kissing me, but he’s hesitating. Between dancing together and all the little small touches, the 10-foot wall I built is almost nonexistent. If he kissed me, I would kiss him back.

That’s a scary realization. I was so sure that I was better off alone, but maybe I should take a chance. What would the harm be? If something went wrong, I could just quit the studio. It’s not the worst outcome that could happen and I’m getting tired of keeping my guard up. I want to lean into the feelings building up between us. I want to know what it’s like to wake up next to Emmett.

To my disappointment, Emmett simply lays his hand over mine and gives me a single squeeze.

“Text me when you get home?” he asks.

“I will.”

“Okay, good.” He hesitates again, his gaze dropping to our hands still intertwined.

For every second that passes, my breathing gets heavier and my heart beats faster. All my thoughts escape my head as his thumb moves back and forth in a rhythmic motion. He leans farther over the console, bringing our faces inches apart. At the last moment, he dips his head to the left and plants a kiss on my cheek.

He doesn’t move, not yet, his lips hover over my ear as he whispers, “Goodnight Cassie.”

When Emmett pulls away, a chill rushes over me and I have a strong urge to tug him back. A small smile appears as if he can read my mind, another single squeeze, and then he lets go of my hand.

“Goodnight Emmett.”

I return my hands back to the wheel while Emmett gets out of the car. He turns to give a last wave before stepping into the elevator.

I drive off, headed for home, unsure of what to do with these feelings. That’s tomorrow’s problem.

12

Emmett

I’m in a great mood this morning.

It is my birthday, after all. Max, Tyler, Lane, and Marcy are coming over later. That could contribute to my mood.

Although, that’s not the primary reason for my happiness.

Images from last night flash in my mind, and I can practically feel Cassie in front of me if I close my eyes and think hard enough.

I like Cassie. More than a friend. I would have asked her on a proper date if I knew it wouldn’t complicate things between us. I would have said “fuck it,” she’s worth it, I can try to date again. Except, she doesn’t want to.

Well, after last night, I don’t exactly know if that’s true. Still, I can’t cross the line yet, it’s too soon. Plus, I wouldn’t want to risk the foundation we’ve built. It’s already thin as it is, and I wouldn’t want her out of my life already if something happened.

I’m falling fast. I need to hold myself together for a little longer. Or at least figure out a way together to make something work, if she likes me as much as I like her. I can’t be the reason she loses her job.

What if she doesn’t like me? What if she doesn’t want to pursue anything? Where will I put these feelings? There is no invisible rug to shove them under or trash bin to toss them in.

Before I have time to rabbit hole down that thought, my phone buzzes. Then it buzzes again. Then it starts ringing.

I finish pouring a cup of coffee and take my phone out of my pocket to find multiple unread messages and a missed call from my publicist. Before I have the chance to look into what they want, my phone starts ringing again, but this time it’s someone I’d rather not talk to this early in the morning.

Ugh.

“Hi, Dad,” I answer.

“I see you had fun last night.”

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