Page 38 of Bright Lights and Summer Nights

Leaning down, I speak close to Emma’s ear but still loud enough for everyone to hear my response. “And by bright and early, Peyton means ten.”

Peyton narrows her eyes at me. “That’s early.”

I laugh, rolling my eyes and straightening my spine. “I feel like I’ve slept in if I get to sleep until seven.”

Peyton shakes her head. “And that is why we live very different lives. If the sun isn’t high in the sky, it isn’t time to get up.”

Emma nods her head. “Agreed.”

My lips press into a thin line. “Most of the time, I’m up by five in the morning to meet with my trainer.”

Emma gives me a pat on the back. “Would you like a medal for that?”

Peyton and Jackson bust out in laughter. I scowl, staring at a smug Emma. She’ll pay for that comment later.

I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into my side and keeping her body pressed to mine. “Both Emma and I will be ready to play tennis in the morning. We’re ecstatic.”

Emma places her hand on my chest, rubbing up and down dramatically. “Can’t wait,” she lies through a tight smile.

I keep my face neutral as she pinches my abs in retaliation. Emma turns her face to speak against my chest, making sure I’m the only one to hear her.

“Jesus, do you have any body fat there? I can barely even get enough skin to pinch.”

“It’s the early morning workouts,” I respond, giving my sister a coy smile as she watches the two of us.

Emma doesn’t respond. She pulls away from me and pulls Gram into a hug.

“Thank you all for inviting me tonight. I had so much fun.” She and Gram stay locked in the embrace as Emma continues to talk. “And thank you for sharing all the stories. It was so special to hear about Joseph.”

Gram closes her eyes and gives Emma one final squeeze before letting go. “No, thank you, sweet girl. I haven’t laughed as much as I did tonight in I don’t know how long. It might be the most fun I’ve had since Joseph passed, and that’s all because of you.”

Gram’s words make Emma blush. She swats at the air, trying to take the attention away from herself. “All I did was ask you to dance.”

Gram cups both of Emma’s cheeks, forcing her to meet her eyes. “No one’s asked me to dance in a long time, my dear. And that’s why it meant so much.”

I can’t look away as Emma and Gram share a few more words before Peyton jumps in to also say goodbye to Emma. I watch the interactions, wondering how Emma only met my family yesterday—hell, she only met me yesterday—and I can’t help but notice how much she fits in. How effortlessly she’s connected with them in such a short time.

And I don’t know how to feel about that.

I push whatever I’m feeling away, not wanting to address what it is. I’m quick at telling my family goodbye and that I’ll see them in the morning. It doesn’t take long for Emma and me to be alone once again as I lead her to the front of the estate.

Neither one of us says anything as we walk to the car. The valet left long ago, but they left my car parked in the driveway with the keys hidden in the visor. I expect Emma to say something, but she surprisingly stays quiet.

In fact, she doesn’t say anything the entire car ride back to Archer’s place. She reaches to open her door, but I stop her before she can do it. “Let me get it,” I demand, sliding out of the driver’s seat and rounding the front of the car.

I open her door, extending my hand to help her out. She looks at my outstretched hand with raised eyebrows. “Are you done giving me the silent treatment?”

“Here I was thinking you were the one giving me the silent treatment.”

Unlike last night, where I had to almost carry her to the front door, tonight, she’s steady on her feet. She won’t let me take her hand to walk her to the door. She drops it immediately and beelines for the house.

“Anyway. Good night, Preston,” she calls over her shoulder. “I must get to bed since apparently I’m being tortured with tennis in the morning.”

Her goodbye doesn’t faze me at all. I follow her up the pathway leading to the front door.

She spins to face me before we ever make it there. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Walking you to the door.”

---