Page 45 of A Little Bit Extra

Lucy pulled up the article, waved her phone to show me, and sure enough it was a photo of Emmett and me leaving his party.

“How do you know that’s me?” I asked. My face isn’t showing. It’s just my back profile, which could be anyone.

“One, it’s pretty obvious since I know you.” I glanced over at Lucy for confirmation to find her already nodding in agreement. “Two, you’re wearing our matching bracelet.”

Shit. “And three?”

“Call it sister intuition.” She chimed. I could picture her then, sitting cross-legged on her bed with a giant smile, proud of her discovery.

So, that was how I found out that what I thought was a small article was in fact larger than I expected. Then Emmett invited me over, and I thought he might want to talk about it or tell me we can’t be friends, but he told me to bring Lucy and that everyone would be over. He acted like it didn’t happen, or that he didn’t know the article existed.

Which is impossible, right? He must not care, or maybe he doesn’t want to talk about it. What if he’s embarrassed by it? Doubtful, but still a possibility. I have to look at it from all angles.

“You good, Cass?”

I whip my head in the direction the voice came from to find Emmett kneeling next to my chair. His brow is furrowed, creating deep creases on his forehead, as if begging to be smoothed out to erase the worry etched on his face.

My gaze lowers and my breathing quickens. I try to think of something to say, but my mind is blank. All I can think of is Emmett, in front of me, inches away from me, my arm brushing his chest.

I like a guy on his knees.

Emmett brows draw together, as if he knows exactly what thoughts are swirling around in my head.

Right. The question. I quickly nod, hoping my cheeks aren’t as red as they feel. I offer a nervous grin, hoping it looks normal.

“Thanks for inviting me.” My voice is almost a whisper.

Glancing around, I notice everyone is sitting around the island eating pizza. Marcy must have stepped away.

“They all decided it was time to eat,” Emmett says, glancing in the same direction as I am.

“Mhm,” I mutter. My stomach grumbles as if on cue. I move my right arm from the arm of the chair and cover my stomach.

Emmett chuckles and stands up, holding out a hand. “Come on, Sass. Let’s go eat.”

Of course, he adds a wink. It wouldn’t be a normal Emmett conversation without a few winks that turn my insides into puddles and make my heart stutter.

I sigh, roll my eyes in return, and place my right hand in his. As soon as I’m up, he squeezes once and our hands come apart.

Out of habit, I’m about to reach for him again when my gaze meets Marcy’s and I remember where I am.

In Emmett’s apartment, with his friends, we aren’t supposed to be anything more than platonic.

I walk to the kitchen to stand by Marcy since her gaze never left mine. I don’t know a lot about her and Emmett’s relationship, but I know that it’s a little complicated with her working at the studio and also being one of his best friends. She’s caught between being supportive and wanting to follow the rules. I get it, but I need to win her over.

“I’m so thankful you started when you did,” Marcy says while grabbing another slice of pizza. She leans back on the counter next to me, facing toward the rest of the group.

Emmett’s sitting next to Lane at the island. Our glances connect for a moment.

I shift my gaze over at Marcy, who’s currently also looking at Emmett, who is looking at me. When her eyes finally meet mine, the urge to fidget is overwhelming and I think about making up an excuse to leave at this very moment.

“It’s busier than I thought it would be,” I say, trying to move the conversation in a more positive direction instead of feeling like she’s shooting daggers at me.

She hums a response. “It is. I don’t think they originally planned it to be that way, but once you joined and Ed saw the opportunity…” she trails off. “It worked out that you’re getting more comfortable with the rest of the staff and crew.” She’s testing me.

I fight back the urge to tell her to chill the fuck out. Instead, I take a bite of my pizza and nod in agreement.

“Cassie!” Tyler calls from the other side of the island.

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